character analysis essay english 101

In this Character Analysis Essay, you will be projecting your critical reading/thinking skills and your knowledge of Critical Theories by analyzing 3 characters from 3 different works.

How to Start?

1. Consider the provided list of the characters from the works we discussed in our class
2. Pick 3 characters from 3 different works making sure you use both categories of texts and visuals (I HAVE LINKED THEM; ITS THE FOURTH FILE)

3. Choose 3 theories or themes

So, you will be writing an analysis essay where you will be using the theories/ themes to analyze eachof the 3 characters and compare with each other.

Here are some theories and themes to choose from / Choose any 3 of these Theories/ Themes:

• Semiotics: Denotative/Connotative/ Symbolic meaning (De Saussure’s and Pierce’s theories)

• Irony: if any meaning is used ironically

When analyzing the characters from the semiotic perspective, consider the meaning of their names, and how that meaning can be associated with their personality, actions, interactions with others, etc.

You may also consider any sign, word, position title (profession) used to identify that character in the work and how the meaning of that relates to the character. If the title of the work can also be related to the character you are analyzing, you may consider that too and explain how the meaning of the title relates to the character. (Ex. Beatrice Prior (Tris) from Divergent movie chooses Dauntless faction- thus when analyzing her character, you will consider the possible meanings of her full name/ her chosen name “Tris,” the denotative and connotative meanings of “dauntless” and “divergent” and how these meanings may relate to her character/ personality/ actions.

• Ideologies/ Power, Privilege, Control gained through certain beliefs/ traditions, through social status and/or education, knowledge, or certain skills (Marx’s theory)
• Capitalism: Competition, American Dream, Hero Motif, Commodification; Colonial Subject
• When analyzing the characters from this perspective, you may consider if your chosen character(s) holds any power and has certain privilege among others based on his/her social status, educational level, knowledge or any skill that the character possesses. You may also consider if the character can be related to any type of capitalist ideologies, and if the character is colonial subject or a colonizer.

• ISA/RSA: control via ideologies and repression (Althusser’s theory)

When analyzing the characters from this perspective, you may consider if your chosen character(s) are acting as the “state apparatus” meaning if they are the ones imposing ideologies, rules, beliefs or are using any type of punishment methods upon others/ “the disobedient.” Or are your chosen characters the obedient / are they the one following the pre-set ideologies, rules, or are being punished for deviating from those expectations.

• Gender expectations in Patriarchal society and/or from Feminist perspectives (Butler’s theory)When analyzing the characters from this perspective, you may consider if your chosen character(s) abide with any expected gender roles. You may consider their lifestyle, profession, appearance, behavior, actions, interactions with others that re-affirm their gender role/prototype expected by the society they represent.

• The Stages of the Psychic Apparatus/mind: id, ego, and superego (Freud’s theory)Castration: Loss, Substitution, Gain
Fear and Desire / obsession

When analyzing the characters from this perspective, you may consider how your chosen character(s) behold their Ego/ show their Self mediating with their inner desires, fears and social expectations, norms/ morals. You can also depict your character’s appearance, personality, fears, desires, failures, and/or childhood experiences (if any) that might have had some effect on who he/she is, and how he/she behaves.

• The new self/ the birth of a new self or a change (Lacan’s theory)Self-identification through the other (other character, other name, memory)Longing for self-wholeness
Ego/ Alter Ego/ Ideal Self

When analyzing the characters from this perspective, you may consider if your chosen character(s) undergo any changes (lifestyle, status, transcending to a new life stage, moving to another place/ becoming different than who they were before).

You may also consider how your chosen character(s) establish their identity in the eyes of others.

• Appropriation: repetition of certain elements, scenes, characters in the same or in another work
When analyzing the characters from the perspective of this term, you may consider if your chosen character(s) resemble any other character, or are they a prototype of a certain character archetype.

• Altruism and/or Narcissism:
When analyzing the characters from the perspective of this term, you may consider if your chosen character(s) are selfless or self-centered; how much do they care about others.

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How to Structure your Paper? :

The Analysis Paper should have Argumentative tone /Thesis as it introduces your argument/ claim(s) as you analyze the characters. It also involves compare-contrast mode of writing as you compare the 3 characters you will choose to analyze.

Suggested Structures: BLOCK STYLE or INTEGRATED STYLE* I will discuss and explain both styles in-class!

Suggested Introduction: Start with a hook that states the importance of critical theories in the interpretation of literary works. Then, introduce your chosen 3 characters with a brief summary of who these characters are and which literary works/ visuals they are from (1-3 sent. for each character introduction). End the introductory paragraph with a clear Thesis Statement that claims how these different characters from different works of different genre and time period can be analyzed through the critical theories (that you picked).

Body Paragraphs: based on the style you will choose (Block or Integrated), your body paragraphs should analyze each character using each of the theories and also should be compared/ contrasted to each other.
Make sure you include references and/or quotes from Primary and Secondary sources in your body paragraphs. *You decide the number of body paragraphs- remember the overall essay should be 3.5-4.5 pages.

Conclusion Paragraph: Sum up your analysis by looping back to introduction, briefly state the similarities/differences of the 3 characters in terms of the 3 theories (compare/contrast in 3-4 sentence) and restate your thesis.

The Analysis Essay:

• Should have an academic essay structure: introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion
• Should be 3.5-5 pages typed/ double spaced/ Times New Roman 12 font.
• Should
  (Refer to/mention the theorist, whose theory you will be using in your analysis essay.)

Should refer to the Primary Sources/ the works from where your characters are coming: It should have supporting information, quotes, examples/references from the sources considered for the analysis.

• Should also Secondary Sources that you will research to support your claims The secondary sources may include:v Credibletexts/electronicsourcessuchasanarticle,book,journal,scholar essay, encyclopedia, etc. (* At least 2 credible sources)* Use Google Scholar, or Academic databases of LAVC.v Ourcoursematerials(exampleTheoryHandouts,PowerPoints,lecturenotes) *Please note that our course handouts will not be considered as the use ofthe secondary credible source.
  v butnomorethan1websiteinformationsearchedviaregularsearchengines
• It should use MLA format for in-text citations and a Works Cited page.*
• Here are some brief notes on Theories and Theorists:
  1. Language derives its meaning from the relation of Signifier and Signified (De Saussure)
  2. The meaning of signs is created through Icon, Index, and Symbolism (Peirce)
  3. The theory of power and knowledge is used for social control

  Ideology of Power resides in the ruling ideas: the ruling class is the ruling intellectual force (Marx)

• 4. Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) and Repressive State Apparatus (RSA) (Althusser)Power is exercised through ideologies and repression (ISA and RSA)
• 5. Self-Identification is an unending process that starts from the Mirror stage! We identify us through symbolic language and through “the Other.” We always strive for Individual Identity and the Wholeness of Self. (Lacan
• 6. These are the three parts of the psychic apparatus where the interaction of our mental life is described: Id is the set of uncoordinated human basic instinctual drives; Super-Ego reflects the internalization of cultural rules; Ego is the organized, realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id and the super-ego. (Freud
• 7. Gender is constructed and defined by the society. (Judith Butler)

NO PLAGIARISM

1&2: LINKED BELOW ARE TWO ESSAY SAMPLES. DO NOT COPY ANY IDEA FROM THESE SAMPLES. ALSO, THESE SAMPLES ARE ANALYZING LITERARY WORKS AS A WHOLE AND NOT CHARACTERS YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO.

3: THE THIRD FILE UPLOADED IS A CITATION GUIDE FOR THE ANALYSIS PAPER

4: THE FOURTH FILE UPLOADED IS A CHARACTERS LIST FOR THE ESSAY

THANK YOU