Introduction to Literature Literature Etymology: “litera” Acquaintance with letters; body of literary productions, either oral, written/visual, containing imaginative language that portrays thoughts, emotions and experiences of the human condition Language in use that provides insights and intellectual simulation to the reader A product of a particular culture that concretizes man’s array of values, emotions, actions, and ideas Art that reflects works of imagination, aesthetics, and creative writing Literary Standards 1. Universality Literature appeals to everyone regardless of culture, race, sex and time. Themes of love, hate, death, life, and faith, for example, touch upon some of our most basic emotional responses. You can read classics from Jane Austen and Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra and relate to the characters and situations despite the difference in era. In fact, a classic can alter your view of history to see how little has changed in our basic human makeup You can read classics from Jane Austen and Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra and relate to the characters and situations despite the difference in era. In fact, a classic can alter your view of history to see how little has changed in our basic human makeup 2. Artistry Literature has an aesthetic appeal and possesses a sense of beauty 3. Intellectual Value Literature stimulates critical thinking that enriches mental process of abstract and reasoning 4. Suggestiveness Literature unravels and conjures man’s power to define symbolisms, nuances and implied meanings 5. Spiritual value Literature elevates the power of the soul Has the power to motivate and inspire drawn from the lessons or morals 6. Permanence Literature endures across time Timeliness– occurring at a particular time Timelessness– remaining invariable throughout time 7. Style Literature presents peculiar ways on how man sees life as evidenced by formation of his ideas, forms, structures, and expressions. A particular literary piece must possess these seven (7) literary standards in order to be called an epitome of artwork capable of enduring the tides of change. Division of Literature Prose Written in sentences group or into paragraphs Applied to all forms of written/spoken expression not having regular rhythmic pattern Examples: Essay– composition of moderate length Short story – reading selection of a single plot w/c could be read in one sitting Novel– extended short story of many episodes/events Poetry – usually written in verse/line groups; artistic expression of the human mind Examples: Ballad – composed poem intended to be sung Elegy – poem for lamentation/grief Ode – poem dedicated to someone/something that serves as the poet’s inspiration Sonnet – poem written in 14 lines Division of Prose Fiction - From the Latin word “fictio”– form, contrive - A name for stories not entirely factual, but at least partially shaped, made up, imagined Nonfiction - Literary works based mainly on fact rather on the imagination, although they may contain fictional elements Example: Essays and biographies Elements of Fiction 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Setting Character Plot Point of View Theme Division of Poetry Elements of Poetry A. Sense of the Poem 1. Denotation vs. Connotation 2. Imagery 3. Figurative Language B. Sound of the Poem 1. Tone Color a. Repetition of Single Sounds *Alliteration *Assonance *Consonance *Rhyme Idioms/Idiomatic Expressions - A group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own Some idioms originate from respective histories Not understanding the history of the idioms will lead to misunderstanding of the idiom/idiomatic expressions Examples: a hot potato Meaning: a controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with. once in a blue moon Meaning: very rarely a bed of roses Meaning: easy option Source: theidioms.com Haiku - A form of poetry, first made popular in Japan Poem is conveyed using 17 syllables Matsuo/Masho Basho – one of the greatest haiku poets - He was from the Iga province Basho served a local lord who was fond of writing Structural rules: - Use of exactly of 17 syllables - Arranged in 5-7-5 - Avoid similes and metaphors - Refers to a season of the year Example: Spring morning marvel Lovely nameless little hill on a sea of mist
