I. Using a theory presented in this module, offer a cultural studies analysis of either Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Purloined Letter” or Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” in a full paragraph or two.
You will want to choose one theory among the many discussed here and use it consistently and coherently.
For example, a New Historicist reading would put one of these texts in direct dialogue with a historical text and treat them both equally (unlike traditional literary criticism). A Marxist analysis, on the other hand, would center on how concepts such as commodification, exchange value, or interpellation play out in the text.
In your journal assignment, be sure to address the critical elements found in the Journal Guidelines and Rubric document by summarizing the main features of the literary theory, applying the theory to the literary text, and explaining how the story is shaped by the theoretical lens.
Submit your assignment here. Make sure you’ve included all the required elements by reviewing the guidelines and rubric.
What to Submit:
Submit the assignment as a Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Your journal assignment should be 1 to 2 paragraphs in length.
II. Discussion:
Describe your literary theory journey and relate it to the readings for this week citing the textbook, the article, or both. For example, where did your thinking begin, and where is it now? Does your learning process relate to the history of theory itself in any way? Have your thoughts about literature changed? Do you see theory at work in everyday life?
What to Submit:
Submit the assignment as a Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Your discussion assignment should be 1 to 2 paragraphs in length.
You can put parts I and II together in one page, as long as they are marked separately.