CnP+Critical+Theory

Use the discussion board to cite examples from the novel under each criticism. See the day's course work below. **Book Analysis Through Critical Theory**

Psychoanalytical Criticism:
 * 1) What unconscious motives (repressed wounds, fears, unresolved conflicts and guilty desires) are evident in the main characters? How do these help structure the work?
 * 2) Is it possible to relate a character's adult behavior to early experiences in the family? What do these patterns of family dynamics and patterns reveal?
 * 3) How might recurrent or striking dream symbols reveal what the narrator or characters' unconscious desires, fears, or conflicts?

Marxist Criticism:
 * 1) Does the work reinforce (intentionally or not) capitalist, imperialist or other classist values?
 * 2) Does the work reveal and invite the reader to condemn oppressive socioeconomic forces?
 * 3) How does the work reflect the socioeconomic conditions of the time in which it was written and/or set? What do these conditions reveal about the history of a class struggle?
 * 4) How might the work be seen as a criticism of organized religion?

Feminist Criticism:
 * 1) What does the work reveal about the role of the father/man as authority concerning economic, political, social, or psychological functions?
 * 2) Does the work offer the idea of sisterhood as a means of resisting the ideas of patriarchy?
 * 3) What does the work suggest about the ways race, class, and/or other cultural factors influence women's experiences?

Structuralist Criticism:
 * 1) How should the work be classified in terms of its genre?

Cultural Criticism: Taken from: Tyson, Lois. //Critical Theory Today.New York: Garland, 1999.//
 * 1) How does the work compare to other texts of the time concerning penal codes, birthing practices, educational priorities, treatment of children under law, and other art forms? In other words, what does this work add to our understanding of the "human experience" in this setting?

**Class Work**

**Monday, March 29:** Add an example from the novel to the discussion threads on psychoanalysis, Marxist, feminist, and cultural (not structuralist) for Part 1. There are 5 discussion questions based on the 5 theories of criticism. Your examples should have a short quote with page number and brief explanation (2 sentences) of how it answers the proposed question.