Eragon critque book

[kippurbird]

So, I've been thinking about my Eragon analysis book and I think I'm going to have to change formats. Instead of doing a chapter by chapter analysis, I'm going to do something more cohesive. Making each chapter focus on a specific aspect of the book. Or books in this case. It'll let me go over both Eragon and Eldest in the same book. This will also help eliminate the snarkiness of the chapter by chapter critiques. Which while amusing is not at all professional.

Chapters that I have so far are:

• Eragon: Archetypal Hero?

This chapter is going to look at Eragon in comparison to the archetypal hero motif, and examine how he does fool the stereotype, but at the same time also fails at being the archetypal hero. For while he does go through the appropriate steps, his actions and personality proves that he's not a hero.

• Galbatorix: the Unseen Dark Lord

Here I'm going to look at how Galbatorix is painted as the villain of the series but doesn't ever do anything evil. At least no more evil than any king who has a group of terrorists attacking his kingdom. Also at the fact that he isn't felt as a threat by anyone and is instead a non-presence.

• The reluctant and the anti hero: Roran and Murtagh

Again, similar to chapter one, but looking at Murtagh and Roran and seeing how well the fulfill their stereotypical roles.

• A Patchwork Land

Fantasy worlds have to be believable and well made to immerse the reader into them. A look at how well Paolini did this and where he might have drawn his inspirations for things.

• Zombie Horses

A look at continuity errors, improbable happenings, strange coincidences and things that just happen to move the story along but make no sense otherwise.

• Ponderous Prose

This is going to go over Paolini's writing style, from his over use of the thesaurus to his overly flowery prose, to his fear of using the word "said".

I think that's what I have for now. I may add chapters later when I think of them.

Also, chocolate cake with chocolate icing, multicolored sprinkles and chocolate milk is delicious. =D

Comments

[anarchicq.livejournal.com]

Estrogen in Alagaesia.
In this chapter, you will examine how flat as fuck the females are.

[christinaathena.livejournal.com]

I think a chapter-by-chapter analysis would be a bit dull as well, in a book format. When each chapter comes separated by a few days or so, it's a different matter than having them all together.

[karma-kalisutah.livejournal.com]

Very appropriately worded, that turn of phrase you used there.

[anarchicq.livejournal.com]

And that was me being lazy!

[prototypical]

That seems to make more sense for an overall analysis, and if you want to add to it once Inheritance comes out, it'll be simple to edit the appropriate section.

Also - you have to stick with the "zombie horses" chapter title.

[dryaunda.livejournal.com]

While getting started now is good, I'd advise waiting until finishing the green brick before publishing.

[authoressarktos.livejournal.com]

I second the motion :)

[dove-cg.livejournal.com]

I third the motion! It's just too awesome and unique a title (which is fantastic, considering you didn't even have to try that hard.) XD

[dove-cg.livejournal.com]

CAKE? CAKE! *gives sad, sad eyes and whimpers for cake* 9_9

I like what you have outlined so far. The chapter titles sound pretty good so far. The more specific chapter essays is a better idea than simply going over the books by each chapter. You don't have to do that in order to reference what you need to and it's more professional looking this way, as Calliope mentioned (and less monotonous, as Nik said.) XD

I would like to ask... I have more recently started writing using mostly 'said', 'asked', 'answered', 'replied', and 'responded' in my work. Is that acceptable or should I be using those less as well? :I

I've tried emphasizing what is going on and how it is being said with what they say. If they do something, the movement is in a separate sentence or the next paragraph. I also wonder, is the ruling about using the word said in the Elements of Style? (I can't find my copy currently.)

Sorry, I've just started wondering about that lately and I figured you could answer it, seeing as your a lit major. :3

[dove-cg.livejournal.com]

The only problem with that is that ALL of his characters are flat as fuck. It would probably be better to have a chapter that is simply devoted to how truly useless and empty all of the secondary and tertiary characters are. :P

Maybe something like...

The Heart of Algaesia
Wherein the nature of population density, topography (the older meaning if you like), and target decoys are explored.

I realize that 'A Patchwork Land' kind of covers that a bit but... yah know, the cities themselves and the land around them should/do have some effect on the nature of the mistakes that were made? ^^;

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I realized that when I was going over my material. I think I'll use the chapter by chapters for reference.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

The Zombie horses chapter will stay in if I have anything to say about it.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Yes, well, that's what second editions are all about. =D

[emily-goddess.livejournal.com]

where he might have drawn his inspirations for things

That's very charitable of you. I would have said, "better authors (and filmmakers) he seems to have ripped off." But then, I'm not trying to get published.

What, exactly, is the thesis of this book? I'm just curious.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

That's very charitable of you. I would have said, "better authors (and filmmakers) he seems to have ripped off." But then, I'm not trying to get published.

Hah, yes. See I have to go with the assumption that he's not ripped off people and then prove that he has.

What, exactly, is the thesis of this book? I'm just curious.

You know, I have no idea. XD I want to look at Eragon critically and examine what exactly Paolini did with his book and I guess how it fails to be workable.