Introduction

Not all printed--or Internet--matter is worthy of your time, attention and respect. That's right--there's a ton of junk out there. This fact is especially important as you begin to read literary criticism and theory about the works we will cover in this course. This WebQuest is designed to help make the task of reading literary criticisms and interpretations easier by helping you learn about the types of literary theory, the terminology associated with these theories, and a method for digesting and evaluating the validity of these critical interpretations.

The Task

Your overall goal is to get a basic grasp of the following literary theories: psychoanalysis, feminism, culturalism/historicism, and structuralism/deconstruction. To facilitate the achievement of that goal, you will

• read about the theories themselves
• write a brief commentary on Kate Chopin's The Awakening from the perspectives of those theories
• read and evaluate some published interpretations of The Awakening which reflect those theories
• debate the pros and cons of each theory
• create a new school of literary theory
• design and present a multimedia project which defines your theory and which explores The Awakening from your new theory's perspective

Helpful Resources

Here are some links to some on-line glossaries which will help you understand any terminology with which you may not be familiar. Use these links as needed to understand what you are reading.

• Rhetorical Terms
• Comprehensive Glossary for Visual Arts (works for literature)

The Process

1. Read the following links about literary theories:
   • What is Literature?
   • What do we do with Literature?
   • What is Literary Theory? What is Literary Criticism?
   • Timeline of Schools of Literary Theory
   • The Problem of Meaning in Literature
   • Factors Affecting/Effecting the Reading of a Text
   • On Interpretation
   • Should I Care about an Author's Intention?
   • Questions to ask about a Literary Theory

    

2. Each person in your group must choose one of the following roles. All roles must be chosen by someone in the group:
   • The Feminist Fan
   • The Psychoanalytical Platformer
   • The Structuralist/Deconstructionist Supporter
   • The Cultural Context Champion

     Important Note to Teachers

    

3. Follow these steps for your assigned role:
   • Read the links for your role:
     • The Feminist Fan
       • Feminist Theory
       • Reading with an Eye on Gender
       • Feminist Definition

        

     • The Psychoanalytical Platformer
       • Reading with an Eye on Psyche
       • Psychoanalysis and Literature
       • Psychoanalytical Theory

        

     • The Structuralist/Deconstructionist Supporter (includes Formalism)
       • Reading with an Eye on Form
       • Reading with an Eye on Deep Structure
       • Reading with an Eye on Deconstruction
       • Deconstruction: Some Observations

        

     • The Cultural Context/New Historicism Champion
       • Reading with an Eye on Cultural Context
       • Reading with an Eye on Social Class
       • Reading with an Eye on Race/Ethnicity
       • Reading with an Eye on New Historicism

       Important Note to Teachers

        

   • Write a brief commentary (approximately one page) about Kate Chopin's The Awakening from the perspective of the literary theory related to your role. Be sure to use textual evidence in your commentary! (NOTE: If you have two essentially different but somehow related theories, you may choose one to write about; but you must be able to explain both theories to your group.)

    

4. Return to your group and share information about your theory. Listen as the other group members present information about their theories.
   

    

5. Now go to the following link: On-line Criticism Sites. Choose at least two pieces of critical commentary for each theory and read them. Finding two articles/summaries for each theory may take some time, so be patient.
   

    

6. Now compare and contrast those published articles to your group members' commentaries on the novel. Discuss what comments you agree with, disagree with, or have questions about. Be sure to provide textual evidence from the novel in order to agree or disagree! Little or no textual evidence=poor (or at least questionable) interpretation.
   

    

7. Using Inspiration software, discuss and map the pros and cons of the four theories. Revisit Questions to ask about a Literary Theory as necessary.
   

    

8. Now use your knowledge of the theories to create a new school of literary theory whose philosophy provides for the maximum enjoyment and enlightenment of a reader of literature. Your new theory may be a reaction to a theory you disagree with, an elaboration of an aspect of an existing theory, or a change in a fundamental aspect of a theory. Most schools of theory originated this way. (See Timeline of Schools of Literary Theory).
   

    

9. Design and create a multimedia presentation for your group's new theory using PowerPoint or Slide Show. Your presentation must include the following:

   • a name for your theory
   • a brief definition for your theory (see Comprehensive Glossary for Visual Arts (but works for literature) for assistance)
   • a brief philosophy and rationale statement for your theory (see Timeline of Schools of Literary Theory for assistance with philosophy; rationale is basically why you believe this theory needs to exist)
   • a statement which explains how an interpretation of The Awakening from this perspective will add to the enjoyment and enlightenment of a reader
     

      

10. Share your presentation with the class.

Evaluation

Your grade will be based on this rubric, which will translate into a numerical grade of 260 points.

Conclusion 

By now you should have a beginning knowledge of literary theory and its terminology. Reading literature interpretations and criticisms should be easier for you now, and this task will continue to get easier with practice. Be sure to consider literary theory when reading about literature, and always weigh a writer's comments carefully before agreeing with him or her wholeheartedly. Happy critical reading!

Teaching Guide