CRITICAL LITERARY

THEORY

A sample presentation:

Using the psychological lens to analyze fairy tales

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO

WORK HARD?

FAIRY TALES

• Designed as teaching tools

• Imparts cultural norms

• First encounter with

literary subtext

THE TALE OF THE

THREE LITTLE PIGS

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin…

YOUR TURN

Table One

Hansel and Gretel

Historical/Cultural

Table Two

Snow White

Psychological

Table Three

Rapunzel

Marxist Lens

Table Four (2nd

period)

Little Red Riding

Hood

Formalist

Table Five

Cinderella

Feminist Lens

Table Six

Little Mermaid

Mythological/Archety

pal Lens

DIRECTIONS: Today: create roles. Establish group protocols, communication, project planning

Homework: research your fairytale. Know it inside and out including historical time period. Create a one-page summary, which you can access electronically next class.

Thursday: chromebook lab in class. Research your literary lens. Prepare presentation.

Presentations Wednesday and Friday, February 3 and 5

ASSESSMENT: You will be evaluated as ONE GROUP: every member of your group gets the same grade

Target skills• Literary lenses and their impact on meaning: how well

do you understand your particular literary theory

• Close reading: how well do you explicate the fairy tale

using the particular critical theory

PRESENTATIONS WILL INCLUDE:

Overview of literary lens

Brief (1 minute or less) summary of tale (dramatic reenactments encouraged)

Explication and Analysis of tale through lens

STORY OF

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

as analyzed from a

psychological lens.

PSYCHOLOGICAL LENS

Freud and JungThe “mind” of the novel, author, charactersClassic theories and complexes: Oedipal, ElectraId, Ego, Super Ego

Emancipation

Individuation

The emerging of the adult self

Egocentric, least able to delay gratification, liability to others (society), most susceptible to death or destruction,

eager to shirk responsibility and be taken care of by others.

Displays some qualities of work ethic, but still egocentric. Cannot easily apply learning from others. Also a liability to others (society). Quick to turn to for advice and protection. Afforded some power (by society), but still at the mercy of others.

Most evolved, has the most realized potential, motivated to conform to societies expectations, is rewarded with power and control. Seen as the hero, warrior or savior of community.

HERO AND VILLAIN

... EVER AFTER

• Fairy Tales hold the basic tenants

of society

• First learning from which we

measure expectations

• Psychological lens allows us to

examine personal/societal

motivations, values, expectations.