1 of 9

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

of a universal human concept, freedom. He then uses this understanding to analyze, through the eyes of Winston Smith, the manner in which a totalitarian state necessarily robs an individual of his freedom and, by implication, his very humanity. The task of the reader in conducting literary analysis becomes to discover the pathway by which the specifics of a given literary presentation can arrive at truths which are relevant to humans in general. The truths thus discovered will transcend the accidents of time, culture, history, and geographical location. Furthermore, such a comprehensive universal understanding is valuable irrespective of the reader's agreement with the author's approach to the human condition. If the reader is of a different opinion, he can simply use his knowledge of the author's worldview to pinpoint where and how he disagrees with it. Thus, the reader, through literary analysis, will still attain his own positive understanding of the essential and inescapable issues pertaining to man.

The three-pronged purpose of literary analysis: to discover the author's basic premises, to attain individual value from the literary work, and to derive from it knowledge concerning the universal human condition, serves a greater goal yet. Literary analysis, like any other systematic approach to things, offers the demystification of ideas and of reality. Instead of being perpetually confined by a set of irresolvable questions and dilemmas, man can obtain the answers through literary analysis, by means of a deliberate, targeted, rational treatment of the text. If the reader finishes a text with greater knowledge, erudition, and confidence in his worldview than he had upon starting it, then literary analysis has fulfilled its most essential role.

Learn more about this author, G. Stolyarov II.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about The nature and purpose of literary analysis?
We want to hear your view. Write now!