The purpose of literary criticism is to give readers different ways to read and think about works of literature

Essay #3: Literary Analysis Through the Lens of…
Background
The purpose of literary criticism is to give readers different ways to read and think about works of literature. In other words, each school of literary criticism is like a pair of glasses with lenses that allow the reader to focus on very specific elements of a text.
Before beginning this essay, read through sections of the Appendix, “Using Literary Criticism in Your Writing,” that cover Formalism and New Criticism, American Multiculturalism, and New Historicism. Alternatively and additionally, you can research these terms to find examples, further definitions, etc.
Essay Assignment
Choose ONE school of criticism that you think would be appropriate to use in order to respond to the following prompt:
Milcha Sanchez-Scott’s The Cuban Swimmer originally opened in 1984 in the midst of a Cuban exodus to Florida. To what extent is The Cuban Swimmer still relevant or irrelevant to a modern day audience?
Based on your chosen literary criticism, you will examine different aspects of the play. As with past essays, be sure the evidence you choose to present is in service of an overall argument. Do not try to take on too much and be sure to focus your ideas.
Essay Requirements