Literary Analysis

Use your Literary Analysis Outline to help you answer the essay prompt below. Refer to my example below the prompt.

Prompt: Choose one character in Napoleon Dynamite and write a 4 paragraph essay in which you describe at least two personality traits of your chosen character. Be sure to use SPECIFIC examples and explain your examples clearly for the reader. Use your outline to help you write your essay.

I. Introduction

Napoleon Dynamite

Author of story: Jared Hess

Character of focus: Uncle Rico

Your opinion of a character two character traits of your focus character that can be debated: Uncle Rico is perverted and selfish

II. Topic Sentence that states the character trait: Rico is perverted.

Example or quote: Rico tells Deb that, “Such a soft face should be accompanied by a soft body.”

Explanation of quote (How does this prove that character trait?):

Inappropriate for a man in his thirties to make a comment about a young girls body

Rewording of topic sentence: shows perverted through both speech and actions repeatedly

III. Topic Sentence that states the character trait: U.R. is selfish.

Example or quote: Rico tells Deb that Napoleon said she needs “herbal enhancements.”

Explanation of quote (How does this prove that character trait?): Rico told a lie to Deb, only helps himself

Rewording of topic sentence: Uncle Rico cares more about himself than others.

IV. Conclusion:

a. In the film, U.R. is perverted and selfish

b. These character traits are presented by the author repeatedly.

c. Napoleon Dynamite is a film in which the author creates many distinct personalities.

My essay made from my outline:

“Uncle Rico is a Pervert!”

In the film Napoleon Dynamite by Jared Hess, the writer/director creates many memorable characters. Uncle Rico is just one of the many unique characters. Hess creates a somewhat unlikeable character in Uncle Rico in that he is perverted and selfish.

Uncle Rico is portrayed as a perverted older man. Rico tells Deb that, “Such a soft face should be accompanied by a soft body.” It is extremely inappropriate for a man in his late thirties to make a comment about a young girl’s body. It is doubly disturbing that he is selling “herbal enhancements” to young girls. The writer shows Rico as perverted through both speech and actions repeatedly.

Napoleon’s Uncle Rico is also characterized by his selfishness. Rico tells Deb that Napoleon said she needs “herbal enhancements.” This is a lie to Deb that serves only Uncle Rico; Uncle Rico would rather make a quick buck than protect his nephew’s reputation. Rico constantly chooses his own needs over those of others.

In the film Uncle Rico is perverted and selfish. These character traits are emphasized and make him a vital to the film. Napoleon Dynamite is a film in which the author creates, not only Uncle Rico’s unique personality, but also many other distinct personalities so integral to this film.