Reading Beyond Intentions

Worksheet Description

The “Literary Criticism from the Psychological Perspective” worksheet guides students in crafting a concise paper of literary criticism through the lens of psychology, delving into the complexities of characters’ thoughts, emotions, and motivations.

Students start by noting the text’s title and author, and then provide a brief overview of the text’s content. They proceed to explore messages or meanings they have discovered in the text that the author may not have intended. This perspective allows students to uncover subconscious elements and psychological underpinnings that contribute to the depth and complexity of literary works.

By analyzing characters’ inner workings and unintended messages, students gain a unique insight into the human psyche as reflected in literature.