Chapter 2-Strategy Analysis
In this chapter, we dive into the analysis of characters' strategies within the NewComm framework. We explore how characters in literature maneuver around pain points to improve their access to asset stocks and balance their resources to either thrive or just survive. By examining the abundance of asset stocks versus what is adequate or just enough to survive, we can better understand the characters' motivations, challenges, and the strategies they employ to overcome systemic barriers.
A crucial tool we introduce for analyzing character strategies is an economic tool called “the productivity frontier.” (Record skip. Economic tool? I know, I know. Keep reading!) The productivity frontier is a concept developed by economist, researcher, and professor Michael Porter that helps companies and industries measure their productivity and efficiency. It's a benchmark that represents the highest level of output that can be achieved using the best technology and resources available. Think of it as a peak that companies and industries can strive to reach, but can only go beyond by discovering new technology or improving their skills.
Source: https://marklooi.medium.com/in-an-industry-at-any-given-time-there-is-a-theoretical-boundary-of-performance-for-which-the-6ffcfa26d17c
I first learned about the concept of asset stocks in a Business Management class. While the class was mostly about leveraging this tool to better operate our businesses, I was mostly struck its potential to be useful for me as an English teacher. After all, Toni Morrison did say in her beautiful Nobel acceptance speech that "language may be the measurement of our lives." So, I thought, What would be a good representation of this idea? Especially as we try to make use of language for social impact.
Enter The Literary Productivity Frontier (LPF). I created this model to help learners understand how characters in literature approach the challenge of accessing asset stocks. The LPF is a spectrum of decisions with three main focal points:
Reform: Characters who fall on this point of the LPF believe that there is a finite amount of asset stocks available, and they focus on acquiring as many of these stocks as possible. They may do this through legal means, such as starting a business and/or getting a high paying job, or through illegal means, such as theft.
Agitation: Characters who fall on this point of the LPF believe that the concept of "abundance" is a social construct, and they focus on redefining or reimagining what it means to have enough. They may do this by challenging the status quo, such as by protesting against economic inequality, or by creating new forms of art or literature that challenge our understanding of what is valuable.
Survival Math: Characters who fall on this point of the LPF are simply trying to get by day-to-day. They may not have the resources or the time to think about reforming or agitating for a better world, and they are focused on simply surviving.
In addition to the three main points of the LPF, there is also a fourth point that represents innovation. Characters who fall on this point of the LPF are able to find new ways to thrive or adapt to their circumstances. They may do this by developing new technologies, creating new forms of art, or finding new ways to organize society. Innovation is important because it pushes the LPF outward which ultimately lead to a more prosperous and equitable world for everyone.
Let’s take a deeper look. When exploring the Literary Productivity Frontier (LPF), students should consider the following:
The position of characters along the curve: Are they struggling to survive, or are they flourishing with abundant access to asset stocks? How do their positions on the curve relate to their strategies for overcoming pain points and systemic barriers?
Factors that contribute to characters' positions on the curve: What are the external factors, such as societal structures or environmental conditions, that influence a character's position on the LPF? How do these factors impact their access to and use of asset stocks?
Innovations that push the curve outward: What strategies do characters employ that allow them to move beyond their current position on the curve and access more resources or opportunities? How do these innovations reflect resilience, creativity, or adaptability in the face of adversity?
Consequences of characters' strategies and innovations: How do the characters' strategies and innovations impact the distribution and abundance of asset stocks in their environment? Are there unintended consequences or trade-offs associated with these strategies? In what ways are characters driving community-wide change?
Comparing and contrasting characters along the curve: How do different characters in the same story or different stories navigate their position on the LPF? What similarities and differences can be observed in their strategies and innovations, and how do these relate to their access to asset stocks and pain points?
Take, for example, Sandra Cisneros' novel The House on Mango Street. As students analyze the text, they can leverage the LPF to answer the following questions:
The position of characters along the curve: Where do Esperanza and her neighbors fall on the LPF? How do their positions on the curve relate to their strategies for overcoming pain points and systemic barriers?
Factors that contribute to characters' positions on the curve: What are the external factors, such as societal structures or environmental conditions, that influence Esperanza's position on the LPF? How do these factors impact her access to and use of asset stocks?
Innovations that push the curve outward: What strategies do Esperanza and her neighbors employ that allow them to move beyond their current position on the curve and access more resources or opportunities? For example, Esperanza's determination to leave Mango Street and pursue education can be seen as an innovation that pushes the curve outward.
Consequences of characters' strategies and innovations: How do Esperanza's strategies and innovations impact the distribution and abundance of asset stocks in her environment? Are there unintended consequences or trade-offs associated with these strategies, such as leaving her community behind?
Comparing and contrasting characters along the curve: How do different characters in The House on Mango Street navigate their position on the LPF? What similarities and differences can be observed in their strategies and innovations, and how do these relate to their access to asset stocks and pain points?
By incorporating the LPF into the analysis of character strategies, students can deepen their understanding of the complex relationship between asset stocks, pain points, and systemic barriers in both fictional and real-world contexts. This approach also encourages critical thinking about the consequences of characters' actions and the potential for grassroots innovation to drive social change.
Sample Lesson
Lesson Topic: Analyzing Character Strategies in "The House on Mango Street" Using the Literary Productivity Frontier
Grade Level: High School
Duration: 90 minutes
Objective: Students will analyze character strategies in The House on Mango Street using the concept of the Literary Productivity Frontier to better understand the relationship between asset stocks, pain points, systemic barriers, and character actions.
Procedure:
Introduction (10 minutes)
Briefly review the NewComm framework and the concept of asset stocks and pain points from Chapter 1.
Introduce the concept of the Literary Productivity Frontier and provide examples of how it relates to character strategies and the distribution of asset stocks in a narrative.
Distribute the handout explaining the Literary Productivity Frontier to students.
Guided Practice (20 minutes)
As a class, discuss the position of Esperanza and other characters in The House on Mango Street along the Literary Productivity Frontier.
Identify factors that contribute to characters' positions on the curve, such as access to resources, systemic barriers, and environmental conditions.
Encourage students to share examples from the text that demonstrate how characters navigate their position on the curve and employ strategies to overcome obstacles.
Group Activity (30 minutes)
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a character or group of characters from "The House on Mango Street."
Instruct each group to analyze their assigned character(s) using the Literary Productivity Frontier, considering the following questions:
Where does the character fall on the curve?
What external factors contribute to the character's position?
What strategies or innovations does the character employ to push the curve outward?
What are the consequences or trade-offs of these strategies?
Provide chart paper or poster board and markers for groups to create a visual representation of their analysis.
Group Presentations (20 minutes)
Have each group present their analysis of their assigned character(s) to the class, sharing their visual representation and discussing their findings in relation to the Literary Productivity Frontier.
Encourage other students to ask questions and engage in discussion about each group's analysis.
Wrap-up and Reflection (10 minutes)
As a class, discuss the insights gained from analyzing character strategies in "The House on Mango Street" using the Literary Productivity Frontier.
Reflect on the connections between asset stocks, pain points, systemic barriers, and character actions, as well as the potential for innovation to drive social change.
Remind students that they will continue to apply the NewComm framework and the concept of the Literary Productivity Frontier to other texts as they progress through the course.
Assessment:
Assess students' understanding of the Literary Productivity Frontier and their ability to apply it to the analysis of character strategies in "The House on Mango Street" based on class discussions and group presentations.
Collect group visual representations for additional assessment and feedback
Discussion Questions:
Can you think of a character from a book, movie, or song who has developed a strategy to overcome systemic barriers and access asset stocks? What were their trade-offs?
How can we use the Literary Productivity Frontier to assess the effectiveness of characters' strategies in managing their asset stocks? Can you provide an example from a book, movie, or song?
In what ways do characters in the novel we are studying manage their asset stocks? How does their position along the Literary Productivity Frontier evolve throughout the story?
How might a character's access to man-made asset stocks, such as social capital and public knowledge, impact their ability to navigate systemic barriers and achieve their goals?
What role does innovation play in expanding the Literary Productivity Frontier? Can you think of any examples of innovative strategies characters use to improve their access to asset stocks?