Philosophical analysis: This approach uses a philosophical framework from which to approach the work. The belief is that the larger purpose of literature is to teach morality and to probe philosophical issues. Existentialism is a common philosophy that find roots in literature, particularly in that of Sartre and Camus. Here are some questions to ask if you are interested in this approach.
• What religious or ethical beliefs does the text deal with directly? Are any religions or philosophies mentioned specifically in the text?
• What religious or ethical beliefs or philosophies does the author seem to favor? How can you tell?
• What religious or ethical beliefs or philosophies does the author seem to disfavor?
• What behaviors do the characters display that the author wants us to think are “right”?
Psychological Analysis: This approach uses theories of human behavior as a means of analyzing the story. Psychological critics view works through the lens of psychology. They look either at the psychological motivations of the characters or of the authors themselves, although the former is generally considered a more respectable approach. Most frequently, psychological critics apply Freudian psychology to works, but other approaches (such as a Jungian approach) also exist.
• Are there any specific psychologists or psychological theories mentioned in the text? In what ways?
• What theories of human behavior does the writer seem to believe? How can you tell?
• What theories of human behavior does the writer seem to reject? How can you tell?
• How do people’> s minds work in the text? How do people think? How are their thoughts shown?
• In what ways do the structure and organization of the text indicate the writer’� s beliefs about the workings of the mind?
