When will I use literary analysis in my life?

Literary analysis is designed to help you think about not only what's on the surface of what you are reading, but to dissect it, and become a critical reader. Also, it helps readers discover deeper meanings in the text. For example, in To Kill a Mockingbird, the story is not about killing birds, but about hurting the innocent. The author uses the metaphor " To Kill a Mockingbird" throughout the story in order to convey this point to the readers.

Literary analysis may seem like a lot of random exercises, such as annotating and character sketches; but in the long run it gives you a deeper grasp at what you are reading. In real life, you may have a scenario like this: A politician writes a paper on why you should vote for him. This politician says that he wants to tear down the local park in order to create office complexes which will open up more job opportunities. In addition, the politician is a great supporter of the environment, and promises to start some programs to save the wildlife.

Both of those things sound like they would be beneficial, but when you use analysis, you find that the politician might not be such a worthy person in office.

Tearing down the local park means destroying trees and animal life. If the politician is a strong supporter of the environment, than how could he be supportive of this? That tells the readers that the politician either is not smart enough for office, or has some shady plan of his own. Literary analysis is all about asking the question why. Why did the politician act this way? Why does he want to create more jobs? ex.

Though it may seem far fetched, that is a simple example of analysis you will run into every day. You will also find in school, that literary analysis will help you understand the books you are required to read, on any subject.