Modern Novel
Mr. Pautz
Literary/Character Analysis
According to Maureen Corrigan of NPR, “Go Set a Watchman is a troubling confusion of a novel, politically and artistically, beginning with its fishy origin story. Allegedly, it's a recently discovered first draft of To Kill a Mockingbird, but I'm suspicious: It reads much more like a failed sequel. There are lots of dead patches in Go Set a Watchman, pages where we get long explanations of, say, the fine points of the Methodist worship service… All I know for certain is that Go Set a Watchman is kind of a mess that will forever change the way we read a masterpiece.”
According to Toni Rodgers of the Boston Globe, “Like most people who love To Kill a Mockingbird, I came skeptically to Go Set a Watchman. Would it be a buried treasure or a hijacked rough draft? Turns out, it’s neither. And both. I loved it for exactly what it is: a brilliantly written, underedited, beautiful Southern novel about a young woman who discovers her father is not a god.
And I’m angry that some pompous, patriarchal publisher back in the day quashed it and told her to instead write a brilliantly written, carefully edited, beautiful Southern novel about a young woman who discovers her father is a god.”
As you can see from above, these are two opposing views of Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. Well, while and after reading this novel, you will form your own point of view of it, and analyze it in the process.
Literary analysis journals focus on character and plot development, figurative language and/or imagery, thematic focus, point of view, tone, etc. So, what does this mean for you?
Well, WHILE READING this novel, you need to keep a literary analysis journal. This journal should log your analysis of Go Set a Watchman while reading it. While reading, note specific moments from the novel where character or plot development, imagery, theme, point of view, and tone are effectively or ineffectively used. For instance, if you feel that the Go Set a Watchman plot isn’t focused enough, note when (page #) and where the loss of focus takes place. Or, if you feel that Lee’s “ramblings” are effective, note why or how they are effective. Thus, briefly summarize the info and comment on/analyze its effectiveness. Since there are 19 chapters, you should have at least 8 entries in this journal. This journal can be neatly handwritten or typed using paragraph format a TRHS junior or senior should know (40 points).
Then, AFTER READING, you will be writing a character analysis on both Atticus and Jean Louise. How were each portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird and how are they now portrayed in Go Set a Watchman? Are they the same? If not, how has each changed? Make specific references to each novel to support your point of view. Also, did you like or dislike the character changes? Why? This character analysis can be done in 2-4 paragraphs, and no intro or conclusion is needed. This assignment should be double-spaced typed using paragraph format a TRHS junior or senior should know (25 points).