Literary Theory

Each literary theory is equipped with unique terms -- for example, the term "panopticon" might sound really
fancy. A panopticon, according to the dictionary, is a tall, cylindrical tower that can see in all directions (think of
the tower in the middle of a prison yard). However, the Literary Theory of Psychoanalysis uses this term as a
theoretical metaphor -- when reading literature, a Psychoanalyst might draw on this term as a source of
analysis for certain "panopticon-like" imagery in a narrative.
And so, the purpose of this Discussion is to become familiar with a couple of terms from the Literary Theory
that you'll be using in this assignment sequence. These are terms that you can define in your essay and use
for your analysis. Remember, even though this might sound difficult and confusing, this provides you specific
rules for how to analyze a text. These terms will give you a specific way to talk about the text(s) that you're
analyzing.
To streamline this process, I'm providing you a few sources, so that you don't have to get too bogged down in
research. You need not read everything; simply browse until you find that which is useful for you and the
direction you're headed.
The Purdue OWL List of Literary Theory Questions
Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed
Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Wikipedia's List of Literary Theories (Click on "Schools" in the table of contents and find the one you're
focusing on -- don't forget to use the footnotes for more websites to look at)
Additionally, you are welcome to find any types of sources that help you -- you can find podcasts, YouTube
videos, etc. Whatever works, and whatever helps.
Then, please respond to the following
1) What source(s) did you consult / read through / watch?
2) How would you now more specifically define your theory?
3) What terms are important for this Literary Theory -- ones that you intend to incorporate into your analysis for
this essay -- and what do they mean?
4) How has your direction for your argument (or, your Thesis) changed, shifted, or developed since we started
this assignment sequence, now that you've read a bit more about your Literary Theory? What do you now
intend to specifically "do" in the First Draft?