Premium Essay

Literature Analysis

In:

Submitted By sunami1993
Words 1142
Pages 5
Yoga Shentu
GERM 340 - Professor Kita
2/23/14
Word Count: 1262
Essay #1 Topic # 3

Driven by Fear- the Force that Grasps from Inside

In The Sandman by E.T.A. Hoffmann, the fate of Nathaniel is closely related to eyes. In Freud’s The Uncanny, the fear of losing one’s eyes substitutes for the fear of castration. From my perspective, the castration theory lacks evidence in the literature itself. However it is the fear of losing his eyes that cumulates in and leads to Nathaniel’s madness, as is mentioned when he sees a pair of eyes taken out of Olympia, the automaton. On a deeper level, madness is also linked to his resentment of his fiancée rationality. From the second letter that Nathaniel writes to Lothar, Clara’s brother, it is obvious that he resists the kind of “philosophical response”. And Nathaniel’s reaction to Clara after reading the poem also confirms his resistance for her rational thinking. These two elements combine and push Nathaniel to his madness.

Throughout the story, Nathaniel always turns anxious and aggressive at the scene where a pair of eyeballs or something relevant to eyes are in sight. As Freud mentioned in The Uncanny, “so precious an organ as the eye should be guarded by a commensurate anxiety” (140). In Nathaniel’s letter to Lothar, he explains how the bedtime story seeds the fear of losing eyes. And later his encounter with Coppelius, the old barrister, when Coppelius attempts to take Nathaniel’s eyes out, traumatizes him as a child. Losing one’s eyes is mentioned often in the text, and they are mentioned in conjunction with Nathaniel losing his sanity. When Coppola, the Italian salesman, pulls out eyeglasses, Nathaniel feels “a thousand eyes peeped and twitched and stared at him” (40), and later he “cried out” overcoming “frantic horror” (40). It could be interpreted, that as Coppola pulls out glasses, but Nathaniel sees eyes

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Multicultural Literature Analysis Paper

...Multicultural Literature Analysis Paper Multicultural Literature In this paper I will discuss and analyze multicultural literature. I will define what multicultural literature is and what forces produce multicultural literature. I will determine what makes a work multicultural or not and finally how the quality of multicultural literature should be judged. Literature, a major carrier of content, can be used as a powerful way to understanding the world (Tway, 1989). Experts in multicultural education frequently emphasize the importance of using literature to increase cultural awareness (Tway, 1989). The literature used should accurately portray the history, customs, values, and language of a particular cultural group (Cutter, 2005). Through sharing literature that reflects the multitude of cultural groups, students can learn to understand and to appreciate a literary heritage that comes from many diverse backgrounds. For example in the story “Good Girls Are Bad News” by Subhadra Sen Gupta Bineeta is caught smoking in public, this starts a feud with the parents who try to make her think that smoking will affect her grades in some way and are very disappointed in her. In the Asian culture it looked down upon for a woman to smoke cigarettes with a very low number that actually do. Bineeta proved to everyone that smoking did not have any effect oh her grades and that her main point was to prove that the decisions she makes will always be what is best for...

Words: 1176 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Ap English Literature Analysis

...The use of motifs in literature help focus and enhance the story, it connects all the different parts of a single text in order to promote the main point the author is trying to get across to his readers. In other words, writers use motifs to add depth, meaning, and shape the way us readers receive and understand the story. This is done by using repetition to enhance the symbolic importance, it makes them noticeable enough to clarify the nature of the story and the course of events. It is extremely useful in intricate works that involve multiple plots, elements, and characters that make if challenging to criticize. Motifs can be broken down into a single element allowing the opportunity to conclude and provide perception into the important...

Words: 1409 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

How To Read Literature Like A Professor Analysis

...Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It’s Not) The first chapter Thomas Foster’s of How to Read Literature Like a Professor is about the plot line of a quest. He uses a metaphorical story to show the different parts and pieces to the plot. A few of components include a quester, a place to go, a reason to go there, challenges he/she must face on the road there, and finally the real reason to go there. He also compares a novel, Crying of Lot 49, to the key elements of a quest. Just like the hero’s journey a quest was stemmed from an ancient story and has been readapted for years now and is still used in modern works. The reason quests and hero’s journey work so well is because of the concept of a happy ending and a hero. Readers and watchers...

Words: 311 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Analysis: Does Reading Literature Make Us Better People?

...Does Reading Literature make Us Better People? This “generation” has everything in the palm of their hands. In the article reading Literature Makes Us Smarter and Nicer, by Annie Murphy Paul, says “ ‘Deep reading’ is a vigorous exercise from the brain increasing our real-life capacity for empathy..”. From reading the article there is a lot of talk about how today’s generation are always on their phones and “reading” productively.Two professors in Canada, Raymond Mar and Keith Oatley, did studies of this published in 2006 and 2009 stating that people that read fictional books appear to be better able to understand other people and empathize with them and also view the world in a different perspective. These people are more likely to read more...

Words: 274 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Literature Analysis

...Literature Analysis Noah Serna Western Governors University Humanities C100 January 15, 2016 Personal Observations of the Work The work of literature that I chose to do my initial observations on is a poem written by Phillis Wheatley, called “To S.M., a Young African Painter, on Seeing his Works.” This poem was written during the enlightenment period. I particularly chose this poem because I always had an interest in reading about African literature and how over time equal rights for everyone became a success. Upon reading this poem, which was slightly difficult to understand, Wheatley communicates about how powerful imagination can be. She mentions how imagination can give an artist the ability to go beyond their limits to the point were there are no longer any more limitations. She points out a painter several times which I am not sure who she is referring to yet. I am assuming it is an African painter at that time. The one aspect of the work that really sparked my interest was when Wheatley said, “But when these shades of time are chas’d away, and darkness ends in everlasting day” (To S.M., A Young Painter, n.d., para. 2),which I think she implies that when this era of slavery and racism passes the darkness (harsh times) will end and there will be daylight or good times. Analysis of the Work Phillis Wheatley was a writer who greatly differed from other writers in American literature mostly because...

Words: 702 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Dystopian Literature Analysis

...Literature often reflects the society we live in. Similarly, dystopian literature explores the unpleasant and overlooked components of society. 1984 was written by George Orwell in the year 1949 to reflect on the possibility of a totalitarian government in the near future. Furthermore, the book examined the harsh reality of living under total control of the government. It also demonstrated Winston Smith’s, the protagonist, efforts in challenging the whole system. Therefore, an analysis of Winston’s attempt in defeating his government and its outcome illustrates the manner in how to handle atrocities and evil under authoritarian rule. Winston’s decision to challenge the Party was more important to him than preserving his safety and dignity...

Words: 1162 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Literature Analysis of Hamlet

...Literature Analysis of Hamlet U5A1 Letitia Stevens Introduction to the Humanities (HUM1000) Unit 5 Literature Analysis of Hamlet Capella University May 2016 Introduction During the last years of Queen Elizabeth, “The Tragedy of Hamlet” was written by William Shakespeare. The father of Hamlet appeared outside of the Elsinore Castle on what seemed to a very cold night for the season that they were in. His appearance was referred to as of a warning that was leading to the killing in ancient Rome of Caesar. The presence provided Horatio and his company a suggestion that something threatening or evil had previously taken place and the would have been an offset to nature in Denmark. There was a transfer of power post the death of the king that led some to believe that the future of Denmark was in trouble. It is proven by the later appearance of the ghost that there would be a Denmark tragedy. What is a soliloquy? A Soliloquy defined is the disregard of the people around while speaking to themselves about in-depth thoughts, usually in a play or drama. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, n.d). In dramas and play, when this is used, the people or characters are not mindful of things that person speaking is speaking about. When realism was introduced in the late 1800’s, soliloquies was not as prevalent. In the play, “Hamlet” soliloquies were used throughout to disclose his most in depth feelings to the viewers. William Shakespeare uses soliloquies in not only “Hamlet”...

Words: 1958 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Multicultural Literature Analysis

... “In the Shadow of War” (pp. 342–345) • N. Scott Momaday, “One of the Wild Beautiful Creatures” (pp. 518–519) Maxine Clair, “The Creation” (pp. 164–180) Each week you will have a choice among several discussion questions. You must answer two questions each week. (Which two you answer is completely up to you.) This fourth week, you may choose any two of the following questions:  Locate an article about a current event in a region described in the readings from this week. Does reading the story help you to understand the events in the article? Do the events described in the article help you to better understand the text you read this week? Does understanding history and current events help to enhance your understanding of literature? Why?   Select one of the readings from this week. What is the effect of the major ideology present? How has the philosophical, religious, political, or social ideology affected the story? Would the story be the same with a different ideology? Refer to the story “Good Girls Are Bad News” by Subhadra Sen Gupta. What effects do competing ideologies have on the beliefs represented in this text? Use a specific example from the readings. Nigeria: State of Emergency Declared By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: May 14, 2013 • FACEBOOK • TWITTER • yGOOGLE+ • SAVE • E-MAIL • SHARE • PRINT • REPRINTS • [pic] [pic] Connect With Us on Twitter Follow@nytimesworldfor international breaking news and headlines. Twitter...

Words: 575 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Literature Analysis Chinese

...High   School   Attached   to   Northeast   Normal   University                                   Candidate   name:   Junru   WEN   Language   A-­‐Chinese   Extend   Essay                                                               Candidate   number:   049153-­‐0035                       空洞的灵魂,浮萍一生         ——浅评《她是一个弱女子》中的郑秀岳形象                                                                                                             High  School  Attached  to  Northeast  Normal  University   International  Baccalaureate  Extended  Essay   Candidate  name:                 Junru  Wen     IB  candidate  number:       049153-­‐0035   Supervisor:                         Nannan  Li   Subject  area:                         CHINESE   Date:            ...

Words: 1034 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Children Literature Analysis

...TMA: Children’s literature Peter Hunt: «To read a Children» book from childhood, Per haps as on escape from tee Stresses of adulthood, evades both the real now and the real them “ (13). Discuss This Comment with reference either to a Book From the course or not. Answer Children literature is a rather recent genre that goes back 250 years ago. It is a complex genre that includes works within for children audience, usually written in simple language, with a fairy tale opening, bright Pictures and Such amusing themes as adventures, Fantasy, magic, having allegorical characters (animals Speaking as humans) and children – isolate from their Parents- as Protagonists. Although Children’s literature is targeted towards children as recipients, but...

Words: 2573 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Literary Devices

...theorists when attempting to analyze literature? It is very helpful to know theories and theorists when attempting to analyse the piece of literature because it allows every distinct person to have their own analysis of a particular piece of literature leading to more diverse and richer amount of views. I think that knowing each theory and theorists will reveal ways to analyse the literature that one may have never thought of before. 2.) Review the schools of literary theory (download the notes) and choose two that you are interested in or identify with (200 words for each theory). One of the literary theories that I am interested in is Formalism. This theory is based on structural components of literature. Formalism takes a more scientific approach to literature rather than the approach of interpreting literature by relating it to the historical circumstance it was written in, personal experiences that the author has been through, and more. Formalism pays close attention to literary devices that are used and the patterns these devices present in literature. It has three main categories, which are form, unity and diction. Form is one of the most important parts because it looks at the way the whole piece was written. It looks at the point of view of the literature, if there is closure and how the story is told whether it is told using flashback, told in chronological order or some other way. Point of view is a great way to analyze literature because it is critical factor in...

Words: 556 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Hello

...COMPARATIVE LITERATURE: SHARING KNOWLEDGES FOR PRESERVING CULTURAL DIVERSITY – Vol. II - The Impact Of Media On Literature - William Egginton and Bernadette Wegenstein THE IMPACT OF MEDIA ON LITERATURE William Egginton and Bernadette Wegenstein The Johns Hopkins University Keywords: media, media studies, media theory, history of media, new media, comparative literature Contents U SA NE M SC PL O E – C EO H AP LS TE S R S 1. Introduction 2. Current Media Theory and Media Studies 2.1. Origins of Discipline 2.2. New Media Theory 3. Historical Examples 3.1. Oral Transmission 3.2. Pictography 3.3. The Andean Khipu 3.4. Manuscript 3.5. Print 3.6. Theater 3.7. Photography 3.8. Moving Image 3.9. Radio and Television 3.10. The Digital 4. Conclusion Acknowledgements Glossary Bibliography Biographical Sketches Summary The growing consensus among literary scholars is that the meaning of literature cannot be properly studied or understood outside of the specific medium of its transmission and archival. This realization can be considered a revolution in literary studies, and its fundamental ramification is the confluence of literary studies and theory with media studies and theory. The fields of media studies and media theory are dedicated to the analysis and understanding of the myriad media through which information is communicated. Under the influence of these fields, the media through which literature is communicated is no longer considered...

Words: 3252 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

Literature Review

...Literature Review Handout Liberty University Online Writing Center Handout Description A review of literature is a critical analysis of a portion of the published body of knowledge available through the use of summary, classification, and comparison of previous research studies, reviews of literature, and journal articles (“How to Write a Literature Review”, 2012). This handout discusses the reasons for writing a literature review and presents its various requirements. It examines what a literature review is, as well as what it is not; it distinguishes between the literature review and the annotated bibliography. Like many academic writing assignments, there is not one universal standard for writing a literature review. Its format can differ from discipline to discipline and from assignment to assignment. There is, however, an overall structure that is commonly used across various disciplines, and this format is examined in more detail. The handout concludes with some helpful “tips and tricks” for preparing a literature review. Disclaimer: The content of a literature review may vary from discipline to discipline and from assignment to assignment. The literature review content recommended in this handout is that which is most commonly included. If in doubt about what you should include in your literature review, please consult your professor. Literature Review Handout Defining a Literature Review ...

Words: 2913 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

University

..."I am a student at the University of Kansas studying English and American Studies, and this may be a bit unorthodox, but I wanted to say that your book Writing Essays About Literature was one of the best books I have ever read in the world of academia! I am taking a Critical Theory class, and we were assigned only the first 55 pages, but I really could not put the book down. Your writing is magnificent, and I am constantly referring to the book when writing papers. You have done a brilliant job making essay-writing easy, structured, and actually enjoyable!" - Lauren Gaylor, University of Kansas "Katherine O. Acheson's Writing Essays About Literature is a concise, fully portable and very well-priced guide that gets it right. Acheson's emphasis on inductive reasoning is wonderfully refreshing. It really helps English professors persuade their students to argue from the specific to the general, to found their arguments on the details of evidence and on the careful—and affectively sensitive—analysis of that evidence. And the very best thing about this book is that Acheson's casual and unassuming prose style makes students want to read it. And they do. And then they bring it to class!" - Glenn Clark, University of Manitoba "For those of us interested in teaching writing through literature, Katherine O. Acheson's guide is an indispensable companion, teaching students that writing is more about process and less about imagined giftedness. The book begins by teaching students how...

Words: 425 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

How-to-Write-a-Critical-Literary-Analysis-Essay

...Critical Literary Analysis Essay When writing a literary analysis essay, your main objective is not to write a simple summary. Rather, your goal is to write an essay that discusses your interpretation and critique of the literature. There are a few general guidelines you should keep in mind when writing a literary analysis essay. Remember, there often is no right or wrong answer – what really matters is proving your thesis with evidence! One tip you should keep in mind while writing a literary analysis essay is that you should always write in the present tense and never in the past tense. For example, you might write “In George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm,’ the animals take over the farm and develop their own independent society” rather than “In George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm,’ the animals took over the farm and developed their own independent society.” Another tip is you should also avoid putting yourself into the literary analysis. This means you should write in the third person and never use the words “I” or “you.” There may be exceptions to this rule, however, depending upon your instructor. In fact, some will request a more informal literary analysis that will include the usage of these words. When in doubt, however, it is safer to use the third person. Since literary analysis essays are not meant to simply be a book review or summary of the book, you should not retell the story in your essay. Rather, you need to form a thesis about the piece of literature and then explain...

Words: 805 - Pages: 4