A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF “THE LITTLE STORE” BY EUDORA WELTY DIRECTIONS: You are to write a critical analysis of “The Little Store” by Eudora Welty. © 200 words. Follow the information listed below. ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL STANCE: To analyze a text, you need to develop a critical stance—the approach you will take to the work—that can help you develop a thesis or major claim (see 5b and 7b in The Everyday Writer). To evaluate the text and present a critical response to it, you should look closely at the text itself, including its style; at the context in which it was produced; and the audience the text aims to reach, which may or may not include yourself. A close look at the text itself includes considering its genre, form, point of view, and themes, at looking at the stylistic features, such as, word choice, use of imagery, visuals, and design. Considering context means asking why the text was created—thinking about the original (and current) context and about how attitudes of an era may have influenced it. Considering audience means thinking about who the intended audience might be, and about how people outside of this intended group might respond. Think about your personal response to the text as well. (See also Chapters 5, 12, and 13 in The Everyday Writer.) Carrying out these steps should provide you with plenty of material to work with as you begin to shape a critical thesis and write your analysis. You can begin by grounding your analysis in one or more important questions you have about the work.
