Therefore, agency in ELA (English Language Arts) refers to a character’s capacity to decide what to do and how to do it in a way that advances the plot. The protagonist, who usually has the most agency in a story, frequently reflects this. In J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye,” for instance, Holden Caulfield’s choice to leave his boarding school and set out on a voyage of self-discovery in New York City is an example of how agency is displayed.
In light of this, agency can also be understood as an expression of the author’s worldview and depiction of social power structures. Authors can make statements about topics like gender, race, and class by giving some characters greater agency than others. For instance, the repressive social systems that black women had to contend with in the early 20th century are exemplified by Celie, the protagonist of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple,” who lacks agency.
In addition, the way a tale is delivered can also be considered agency in a narrative. Because the story is recounted from the viewpoint of the protagonist, first-person narratives, for instance, provide the hero a stronger sense of agency. However, as the author may dive into the characters’ thoughts and intentions, third-person narratives can also give characters agency.
In sociology, agency has a larger definition outside of literature. It refers to a person’s or group’s ability to act independently and make decisions without being limited by outside forces like societal conventions or institutional systems. It is crucial to conversations about power and autonomy and is intimately tied to the notion of free choice.
In summary, agency is an essential component of literature because it enables characters to take charge of their own narratives and draw readers into their experiences. It can be used to comment on societal power relations and is a reflection of the author’s perspective. grasp the idea of agency can help us appreciate literature more and have a deeper grasp of the intricate connections that exist between characters and their environment.
Agency in education refers to a student’s capacity to take charge of their own education and make decisions that advance their academic progress. Giving students the materials and tools they need to become active learners rather than passive consumers of knowledge is one way to do this. Teachers can assist students in developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-reflection abilities that they can use in both their academic and personal and professional life by encouraging agency in the classroom.