Books & Movies for Analytical Application
Now that you know how to analyze, I bet you want to try it out!
These archived posts suggest novels & short stories from high school that you should really (re)read, but here are some books/movies/shows that you can DEFINITELY practice your new analytical skills on:
Atonement (novel, movie)
This Romance/War movie is rated R for a reason, but the subtle analytical features are too good to pass up. Watch for their use of color, water, flying, and Biblical references – especially in “inappropriate” scenes.
Frozen (movie)
Ana’s Hero’s Journey is pretty great, but Elsa is who you need to pay attention to – she’s one of the most obvious Christ Figures ever.
Game of Thrones (novel series, TV show series)
It’s easy to fixate on the exciting, raunchy, gruesome plot, but the characters are so well-crafted with prominent physical features and set personality traits – each and every one of them can be individually analyzed, making their actions more “reasonable” and understandable.
The Great Gatsby (novel, movies)
There is so much to analyze here! Pay particular attention to the scene when Gatsby & Daisy reunite (chapter 5) – it’s got colors, rain, object and action symbolism galore.
The Haunting of Hill House (TV show)
A modern, scary show that’s perfect to watch right now. I’ve watched the series three times just to try to figure out all the color symbolism going on.
Harry Potter (novel series, movie series)
This is so much more than a simple children’s book about a boy who does magic, and your ability to analyze will show you that. Be ready to uncover themes of governmental infiltration, slavery, abuse, racism, social classes, corrupt power… Granted, that probably doesn’t make you want to run right out and read it, but I promise it’s popular for a reason.
The Hunger Games (novel trilogy, movie series)
Notice the “recent” feminism trend of a female protagonist going on a Hero’s Journey, while also showing some Christ Figure characteristics? Katniss is a perfect example of this.
Scarlet Letter (novel)
Granted, this scandalous plot could’ve been written in 50 pages instead of 270, but then Nathaniel Hawthorne wouldn’t have been able to jam as much symbolism as he somehow packed into this book. Start here if you want some easy, clear, straightforward analysis practice.
Titanic (movie)
There really isn’t much to analyze in this film, but as soon as Rose showed up wearing a white dress (purity, innocence) and purple hat (wealth, royalty) I knew I had to include it. Plus the Romeo & Juliet (Rose & Jack, anyone?) allusions are pretty undeniable.
Us (movie)
As soon as I saw this, I told my AP Literature class to do the same. Personally, I see the whole movie as an extended metaphor about social classes in America – the title could be U.S.; the prominent use of red, white, and blue; the recurrent hand-holding imagery, the primal violence, etc. But really, “Jordan Peele’s second film has an ending that dares you to bring what you think to it … There is no single meaning to the conclusion of Us, and the beauty of it is how elastic its metaphor is.” (Emily VanDerWerff, Vox movie critic). Clearly, you’re supposed to derive a deeper meaning here through analysis, sooooooo try it!
Between discovering hidden themes, adding excitement to boring scenes, and fostering a more personal connection – see for yourself how using analytical skills can make these GOOD books/movies/shows even BETTER.
As for me, I’ll be awaiting all your questions/insights via comments/emails. Right after I finish re-analyzing Fight Club, of course.