In one to four paragraphs, write a brief literary review on Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy.” Use the three sources that focus on a psychoanalytic interpretation of the work. Summarize and evaluate the effectiveness of the sources.
Thesis: Focus on how “Daddy”, a confessional poem, contributes to popular culture through animism that is defined as the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe as opposed to didacticism, Plath’s focus on an electra-complex, and Plath’s persona of detachment, or individuation, as an allegory for the poem. If you choose one point, write a thesis before the paragraph.
Terminology-Animism essentially means that humans are dead, while the world around them is full of life.
Sources: You may use the sources attached , or you may use the critical excerpts on pgs. 1163-1186 in your literary review from your textbook.
Goal: The goal for this assignment is to show your mastery of how to evaluate poetry through a scholarly lens of interpretation. Emphasis is placed on summary, evaluation, and making connections among sources in regards to categories for the analysis.
Formatting:
1. Introduction
A. Topic sentence-the topic sentence should present an overview of the purpose of your literary review on a psychoanalytical evaluation of Plath’s persona and contribution to popular culture.
B. Background context-describe the genre and context of Plath’s poem. Then, introduce the sources you will use to evaluate the poem.
C. In three sentences, identify the main ideas you will discuss in a chronological order of importance.
D. Write the thesis that maps out the following precepts: how it contributes to popular culture through Plath’s animism that is defined as the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe, Plath’s focus on an electra-complex, and Plath’s persona of detachment, or individuation, as an allegory for the poem.
*Optional: You may write only the thesis and then the three body paragraphs. Or you may write the thesis based on one point and then write one paragraph.
2. Body paragraphs (1-3 body paragraphs) You may choose one point to write one paragraph.
A. Topic sentence-this should identify the general purpose of the first subpoint on animism.
B. Summary of the source(s) tied to animism.
C. Synthesis of the source of sources-identify a specific quote or paraphrase to cite that focuses on the summary in connection to identifying animism in the work.
D. Evaluation-indicate the purpose of the sources in connection to your evaluation of the subpoint.
A. Topic sentence-this should identify the general purpose of the second subpoint on Plath’s focus on an electra-complex
B. Summary of the source(s) tied to the electra-complex.
C. Synthesis of the source of sources-identify a specific quote or paraphrase to cite that focuses on the summary in connection to identifying the electra complex in connection to popular culture in the work if applicable.
D. Evaluation-indicate the effectiveness of the purpose of the source’s perspective on the topic in connection to your evaluation of the subpoint.
A. Topic sentence-this should identify the general purpose of the first Plath’s persona of detachment, or individuation, as an allegory for the poem.
B. Summary of the source(s) tied to Plath’s persona of detachment, or individuation, as an allegory for the poem
C. Synthesis of the source of sources-identify a specific quote or paraphrase to cite that focuses on the summary in connection to identifying Plath’s persona of detachment, or individuation, as an allegory for the poem
D. Evaluation-indicate the effectiveness of the purpose of the source’s perspective on the topic in connection to your evaluation of the subpoint.
*The conclusion is not required for this assignment.
Source:
You may use these sources or find your own. Or, you may use the critical contexts on pgs. 1163-1186. If you find your own sources they must be peer reviewed and scholarly.
Here are some examples:
Plath’s Ambivalence in Relationship_Love-hate in “Daddy” (green.edu.bd)
“Angst” and Animism in the Poetry of Sylvia Plath on JSTOR
The Freudian Muse: Psychoanalysis and the Problem of Self-Revelation in Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy” and “Medusa” (openedition.org)
Literature Reviews (sjsu.edu
An example of portions of a literary review is as follows:
Summary In Frisby and Booth-Butterfield’s study, they provide research on how flirting with one’s spouse creates positive benefits within the relationship. Synthesis In Frisby and Booth-Butterfield’s (2012) research on the purpose of flirtation, they found that the biggest reason for flirtation within marriage was to create a more intimate world between the couple and to encourage sex. They also found How to Write a Literature Review, Summer 2019. 3 of 7 that women were more likely to utilize flirtation. However, in a separate study on flirtation, men were also found to use attentive flirting as a way to make their wives feel attractive (Frisby, 2009). Agreeing with previous research, Frisby found that men usually flirt to engage in sex, and women flirt to encourage attention, fun, and interest in their spouses. Evaluation Overall, Horan and Booth-Butterfield’s study demonstrates the great effects of negative communication on the perceptions of perspective-taking between spouses
