What can a well-executed literary analysis reveal?

A well-executed literary analysis can uncover underlying meanings within the narrative, allowing readers to interpret themes, symbols, and character motivations that may not be immediately apparent. By examining various elements of a text, such as literary devices, imagery, and context, an analysis can illuminate deeper insights about the human experience, society, and the stylistic choices made by the author. This process often leads to discussions about the text's significance and relevance, encouraging a richer understanding of the literature as a whole.

While the other options touch on different aspects related to literature, they do not capture the essence of what a literary analysis seeks to achieve. A focus solely on negative aspects would overlook the text's complexities and positive themes. Learning about the author's life might provide context but isn't the primary goal of literary analysis itself. Additionally, assessing the popularity of a work doesn't speak to its literary depth or thematic intricacies. Therefore, the ability to dig deeper into the text's meanings is what distinguishes effective literary analysis.