Focusing on Plot, Character, or Theme

 

 

In a PLOT SUMMARY, one recounts generally the events or actions as they occur in the literary work.

 

In a CHARACTER ANALYSIS, one identifies and explains the character and personality traits of a literary character by specifically discussing how the traits are shown in the literary work.

 

In a THEME ANALYSIS, one identifies the central idea of a literary work and discusses how evidence in the work reveals that this idea is the main point of the work.

 

 

One must focus one’s thesis statement and topic sentences on the aspect of literature under discussion to ensure that one’s essay clearly fulfills the assignment.

 

The focus of a sentence is found in the independent (main) clause of the sentence, especially in the subject of that clause.  Thus, the independent clauses in a plot summary are about plot events; the independent clauses in a character analysis are about character traits; and the independent clauses in a theme analysis are about ideas.

 

While a plot summary appropriately focuses on actions and events in its independent clauses, focusing on actions in the independent clauses of a character or theme analysis is inappropriate.  In these two analyses, actions should be subordinated to (made dependent on) independent clauses which focus on character or theme.  Otherwise, one is writing a plot summary when the assignment calls for a character or theme analysis.

 

 

Note how the following examples of THESIS STATEMENTS focus on different elements of the short story “So Much Unfairness of Things” according to the assigned topic.

 

Plot Summary:              Because of his father’s pressure on him to succeed in the family tradition of excellence at Virginia Preparatory School, P.S. Wilkinson cheats on his Latin examination.

 

Character Analysis:        More interested in joking around than in studying, P.S. Wilkinson, a typical fourteen-year-old, is alienated from his father and his family’s traditions but desperate not to disappoint his father.

 

Theme Analysis:            In this story, the theme is that desperation can cause one to act dishonorably.

 

 

Similarly, within body paragraphs, one should preserve the focus determined by the assignment, by the thesis statement, and by the topic sentences.

 

Plot:                             P.S. does not know the words to the school cheers.

 

He never wears the red mittens or carries the silk handkerchiefs that his father has given him.

 

He cheats on the Latin examination because his father shows him little love but pressures him to succeed.

 

Character:                     Not knowing the school cheers though his father, long-since graduated, still remembers and cheers them, P.S. is uninterested in the traditions that mean so much to his father.

 

                                    P.S.’s alienation from his father’s traditions clearly appears in P.S.’s never wearing the red mittens or carrying the silk handkerchiefs that his father has given him as a traditional Wilkinson gift.

 

Theme:                         Although P.S. is usually an honest boy, as his father, Dr. Fairfax, and Mr. Seaton all admit, P.S.’s desperation in reaction to his father’s insensitive pressuring leads to his doing what he knows is wrong:  he cheats.

 

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Writing a Character Analysis

 

The thesis statement must focus on the type of person the character is, his character and personality, his beliefs and attitudes—not on his actions.  Keep independent clauses focused on what he is—not on what he does.

 

WRONG (focused on plot): Stewart sends his son to VPS, his old school, and is sorry when his son is expelled.

 

WRONG (focused on plot): P.S. cheats on his Latin examination because his father has put much pressure on him to succeed.

 

WRONG (focused on plot): This story tells about a fourteen-year-old boy who disappoints his father.

 

RIGHT (focused on traits): Uncomfortable with displaying affection and showing emotion, Stewart Wilkinson is aloof and repressed, unable to communicate with his son or to understand his son’s alienation from Stewart’s prized family traditions.

 

RIGHT (focused on traits): P.S., a typical fourteen-year-old who lacks scholarly discipline and the moral strength to resist the temptation to cheat, is alienated from the family traditions and from his father, whom he desires to please.

 

 

All the sentences in the essay’s body must focus on character traits–not on plot actions.

 

PLOT ACTION:                p.s. jokes around with Mabrey.

 

CHARACTER TRAIT:       P.S.’s immature lack of discipline appears in his joking around with Mabrey on the very morning of his crucial Latin examination.

 

PLOT ACTION:               Stewart gives his son twelve handkerchiefs and a pair of red mittens when P.S. goes off to V.P.S.

 

CHARACTER TRAIT:       For example, Stewart’s belief in the importance of tradition is seen in his giving P.S. twelve handkerchiefs and a pair of red mittens when P.S. goes off to V.P.S., the same gifts Stewart’s father and grandfather have given their sons on the same occasion.

  

In the body of a character analysis, do not summarize the story or parts of it.

 

Every sentence in the body should in itself reveal something about character and personality. 

 

Any sentence which only describes an action should be eliminated.

 

Use actions only to support and prove your statements about character.

 

Ensure that each sentence in a paragraph directly helps to develop the paragraph’s topic sentence, which focuses on character traits.

 

Do not focus any sentence on a character other than the one you are analyzing.

 

Use specific details and examples, especially direct quotations, as evidence to support your topic sentences.

 

Explain clearly how all evidence supports your topic sentences.

Remember your reader:  you must show him that your opinions are true;  you must prove that your thesis statement and topic sentences are valid opinions about the character.