How to Find It: Introduction to Literary Criticism
You wonder why it's not possible to do an exercise on literary criticism on a novel like "Ready Player One". You ask your professor about it, but don't get your hopes high. You might get away with it if you can compare Ernest Cline's debut novel to the most popular titles in dystopian literature. You can also analyze the geek (pop) culture, and whether (or not) it will end up as a module in the university. Your professor might give you a quizzical look, but you can discuss the persuasive powers of geeky readers. History has shown that this kind of fans manage to turn some books, which received lukewarm responses after their initial publication, into titles of cult status. Last but not the least, your professor would like the reference to "Brazil" if he (or she) happens to be a Terry Gilliam fan. Make sure that you won't tread into dystopian future too much.
There are several reasons why members of the faculty of the English Department choose the classics for your frequent exercise on literary criticism. Generations of readers appreciate these books, which would surprise these authors. After all, most of them didn't live long enough to see the fruit of their labor. They have lived in interesting, if not turbulent, times. The current generation of readers may have looked differently at that era, but they can learn the hard lessons. Lastly, these writers are far from perfect. They were tortured souls, individuals struggling to conform to unwritten rules. Some dare to break convention, and a few paid the price. These so-called unacceptable deeds may be deemed normal by today's standards, but there's no need to discuss it in your assignment. It will be a different story if you can discover something that hasn't been seen before.
Literary criticism is an analysis of a written text, which is far from summarizing the complex storyline or enumerating the main characters and describing their best traits.
What Your Professor Expects From You
You must not state the obvious. Your professor wants to know if you like the book or not, but literary criticism is more than listing down the merits. What makes the story special to you? A life experience might add a different perspective to your essay. This can be a tricky task, as teenagers don't have lots of life experience. You may have the courage to recall how you disrespect your high school teacher, and how you mend your ways after watching "Mr. Holland's Opus" on cable. (You happen to be a huge fan of Richard Dreyfuss, but your professor won't be interested in it.) Can you relate to one of the characters? You must cite one particular trait, and how it defines the novel.
Don't forget to discuss the author's bibliography. If you're not familiar with the author's works, then Google the popular titles and read the summary. Your task won't end there, as you should visit your local library and look for the hard copies. Read the first few chapters, browse the succeeding chapters, and pay attention to the last few chapters. It might not be far from the ideal job, but you will get the general idea of the writer and what he (or she) likes to discuss in those books. It will be more challenging if it's a poet, but you can pull it off. Ask your tutor about his (or her) works. You can engage in an engrossing conversation with your coursemate(s). You might want to ask your parents the next time you call them.
Never make sweeping generalizations about a literary genre. An exercise on literary criticism won't be complete without discussing the genre. For instance, you can't write down about breaking from old tradition when you analyze a book by an author from the era of Modern literature. Most students aren't familiar with most of the writers during that era, but there are other ways to do it. Brush up on your history by taking a mental note on the most momentous events during the turn of the century. Don't forget the Great War and the Second World War, which change the literary landscape. If you happen to be a film enthusiast, then you can cite the notable works from the Hollywood silent era and the achievements of filmmakers of German Expressionism. There are lots of ways if you're creative about it.
The Importance of Secondary Reading
You might feign pain when you look at the list of books under secondary reading, but don't be discouraged at all. There's a mine of information found in these titles, such that you might discover something that hasn't been discussed by previous students (or scholars before). You're on a limited time, which makes you wonder if you can manage to pull it off under such pressure. If you practice self-discipline, then you don't have to worry a lot.
At the end of the day, your effort is all that matters. And your professor can tell while reading your assignment.
