UNSTABLE-GENIUSALEXIS THOMPSON

AP LITERATUREPERIOD 4

THE

THEORY

WHAT IS A LITERARY THEORY?• A literary theory is a group of ideas and methods used to

interpret a piece of literature. Often the mechanisms used to make these interpretations are referred to as “lenses”.

• By looking through a “lens” the reader will infer the author’s portrayal of events, characters, and meaning behind the literary piece to coincide with characteristics common to the ”lens”.

• Changing the “lens” may also reveal what the author’s motivation behind the piece.

Examples of Literary Theories:Marxist

FeminismPost-ColonialismPost-Modernism

THE UNSTABLE-GENIUS THEORY

• The Unstable-Genius Theory supports that the in a literary piece, the character who is perceived to be insane, mentally-unsound, or discreditable by other characters in the piece (and thus by readers) will prove to be the center of all intellectual wisdom, truth, and purity in all of the piece.

• Meaning, this character, while impaired or stunted emotionally and/or mentally, will perceive the trueness behind the universe in which they are contained.

• Their handicap more often than not will prove an advantage over other characters in the story, that will allow them to see past any facades, misconceptions, and conditioning experienced by “normal” characters in the story.

• Due to lack of accreditation, these characters are ignored and pushed into the shadows or outcast by the majority of other characters, thus many opportunities to avoid or all-together prevent tragic obstacles or events foreshadowed by their words or actions are lost.

THE UNSTABLE-GENIUS THEORY (CONT.)Commonalities/Characteristics Shared

by these Characters:• Ostracization/isolation from the society or main

character (s) of the piece.• Abnormal or irregular thoughts, actions, or perceptions

credited to a mental or emotional handicap.• More often than not this person will not be a main

character, narrator, or protagonist/antagonist.• Actions will more often than not be a vehicle for

foreshadowing.• May serve as or posses a symbol of purity, honesty,

truth, wisdom, innocence, or mortality.• Commonly attempts to bestow the main

character/narrator/protaganist with words of wisdom or warning as they go about their journey.

RELATION TO EXISTING LITERARY THEORY

Psychoanalytic Criticism (1930s-present)• Based on Freudian's Theories of

Psychology • The concept of Freudian Psychology

(basically) state that our actions as human beings are based unconsciously on our desires and our fears.

• Insist that in literary pieces, character’s actions can be evaluated and explained from a psychoanalytic stand point.

• Can also insist that the author can also be evaluated in some manner n this level.

EXAMPLES IN ACTUAL LITERATURE

Sula by Toni MorrisonShadrack would be deemed the Unstable-Genius in Toni Morrison’s Sula.

•His experience with war an death have left him scarred mentally with a somewhat warped sense of reality•While the novel concentrates on him in the beginning of the novel, for the most part he is a constant in the background.•The main character, Sula, has a life altering encounter with this character while still young.•Shadrack is a consistent symbol of death in the piece, as well as a symbol for the cotastrophe that is men and war.