Schools of Literary Criticism Examples Napoleon Dynamite through

Schools of Literary Criticism Examples

Napoleon Dynamite… • … through a Marxist lens: • the injustices done by Summer, Summer’s boyfriend, and other powerful characters (the “haves”) to Napoleon and Pedro (the “have-nots”) • How would Napoleon be different if he had a supportive, wealthy, intelligent extended family with a legacy to live up to? • How is Pedro’s family happy—even in their impoverished state? • How does having so few life experiences limit your wisdom and potential?

Harry Potter… • …through a Feminist lens: • Hermione Granger as undervalued, mocked for being smart • Why does Hermione barely get any credit for being better than Harry at just about everything? https: //wtamu-ir. tdl. org/wtamuir/bitstream/handle/11310/20/GREIF-THESIS 2015. pdf? sequence=1

Twilight… • … through a Freudian lens: • Is being a vampire a state of narcissistic bliss? • immortality and endless wisdom, feed gluttonously, lust, power over all, danger, taste, class, strength, speed On Narcissism is a 1914 essay by Freud. He suggested that exclusive self-love might not be as abnormal as previously thought and might even be a common component in the human psyche. He argued that narcissism is the desire and energy that drives one’s instinct o survive. He referred to this as primary narcissism. According to Freud, secondary narcissism produces a relationship to social reality that includes the potential for megalomania, or a psychopathological condition characterized by fantasies of power, relevance, and inflated selfesteem.