Critical LensGuidelines, Intro, Body Rubric, and Acceptable Terms

GuidelinesGuidelines: Be sure to • Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis • Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it • Choose two works you have read that you believe best support your opinion • Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the works you have chosen • Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: conflict, characterization, symbol, and image) to develop your analysis • Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner • Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose • Follow the conventions of standard written English

IntroductionAn anonymous author once stated, “Good literature

substitutes for an experience we ourselves have not lived through.” In other words, effective literature can transport us to lands we have not visited, allow us to go on adventures we not otherwise get to go on, and meet characters we may have never gotten to meet. Good literature can also teach us lessons we never could have gotten from real life. This quote is true and is supported by two pieces of literature. The novel Monster, by Walter Dean Myers and the story Theseus, by Bernard Evslin both demonstrate the truth of this quote

Body 1 (of 2)The first piece of literature that supports the critical lens is the story of Theseus from Bernard Evslin’s Heroes, Gods, and Monsters. In the story, Theseus starts off young and weak. He is the target of bullying from the neighborhood boys and only dreams of adventures. Early in the story Theseus receives instruction from how to fight from a seagull he meets on the beach. After he receives these lessons, he returns to his village and challenges each boy to conflict and wins. From this experience, Theseus learns to use his opponent’s strength against his opponent. This event shows that the critical lens is accurate. The reader could never expect to learn such a valuable lesson from a seagull, yet the advice proves valuable. Because of this, we learn from literature a lesson we may never have learned ourselves. Later on in the story, Theseus battles the minotaur unarmed in the labyrinth. During the battle, Theseus remembers the words of the gull and snaps off the minotaur’s horn to use it against the beast. This is symbolic of the fact that Theseus has grown into a true hero and is ready to fulfill the role of the hero archetype. Again, this event reflects the critical lens because Theseus undergoes an experience that the reader will never undergo, yet the story teaches us lessons and values that we can relate to.

Terms we Have Learned

SymbolismAtmosphereSettingCharacterization (Direct and Indirect)ConflictImage (Imagery)Archetype