I am creating a literary analysis essay of themes through two stories and I have to connect them. The theme is insanity and the stories are The Cask of Amontillado and Young Goodman Brown. I just need help learning how to make a literary analysis. I will not use any of the tutors work as my own.

 

In making a literary analysis, you must first, of course, read the pieces. Then, choose how you intend to tackle / analyze the two pieces - biographically, historically, comparatively, etc. Look for connections between the two literary pieces through the lens and method of your choice. For example you may look for answers to the following questions: in which time in history were the pieces set or made? What events in history could have influenced the two authors to include a certain scene, imagery, etc in their work? Are they the same? If not, how do they differ?

As for the theme of insanity: select cues, words, instances, imageries, allegories, that might show insanity from the events and behavior of the characters. After that, you nay connect them by stating differences and similarities from the two pieces. You may also state how it relates to real life, what the authors' purpose could be in showing insanity that way.