When analysing a book and speaking of a character that dies, do you still you present tense as you are still analysing a book? If I were to make up a quick example:
"Despite Anna's death, the plot continues. [...] Riley says Anna wanted to die, but how does he know? Anna (was/is) a beautiful girl with a smile on her face everyday, she never (says/said) anything to him about death but of the wonders of life and nature. Her smile (was/is) Riley's favourite thing about her, yet he now reveals he knew the smile was fake."
It makes sense to use past tense but I have been told over and over to never use past tense when analysing a story. Thoughts?