Chinese Literature
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English Characteristics of Literature Chinese Literature Types of Chinese Literature: Shih (rigid type of Chinese poem) Drama Free Verse Novel Folklore Chinese Folktales Short and simple plots Show Chinese values and morals Triumph of justice over injustice Emphasis on wisdom and not strength Japanese Literature Eras of Japanese Literature Ancient Literature Nara Period Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) – oldest existing chronicle [myths about Japan’s origin] Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan) [Japanese history] Beginning of Japanese poetry, known as waka Chinese characters (man’yogana) were used to express the sounds of the Japanese Tanka composed of 31 syllables in a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern that talked about nature Heian Period · court ladies played a central role in literature · Lady Murasaki Shikibu “Tale of Genji” – a political novel Yosa Buson · second greatest Japanese haiku poet · represents a romantic view of the Japanese landscape · Kobayashi Issa · generally ranked with Basho and Buson · lived in poverty and such background was reflected in his haikus Meiji Period · period of rapid industrialization · free verse was brought into the poetic repertoire Post-War Literature · Contemporary Literature era when Manga became highly popular Banana Yoshimoto · best-selling contemporary author Haruki Murakami · one of the most popular and controversial of today’s Japanese authors (international author) Indian Literature One of the world’s oldest and richest Oral traditions – storytellers present traditional Indian text Literature is influenced by: a. A religious doctrine karma – the chain of good and bad action and their inevitable consequences, which result to the repeated birth and death of the soul. b. Mythology of the dominant Hindu deities Literature Sanskrit literature has its origins in an oral tradition that produced the Vedic holy texts (Indian bible) Main focus was on religion (piety) Two great books of Hindu tradition, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana Puranas and the Panchatantra Medieval Literature Kamakura-Muromachi Period Noh Theater national theater of Japan Tale of the Heike Japanese epic Modern Literature · · · · Edo Period Renga successive linked verses by several people forming a long poem Joruri (Puppet Play) done with beautifully made life-size puppets Kabuki Theater play with all male actors which focuses on the lives of the common people and is marked by sensitivity and melodrama Haiku · Matsuo Basho · greatest Japanese haiku poet · elevated the haiku to a serious poetic form l.santos. II-8 1011 influenced by Japan’s defeat in WWII stories were mostly about loss of purpose, disaffection and coping with defeat · Rabindranath Tagore · Asia’s first Nobel Laureate for literature in 1913 · The God of Small Things - written by Arundhati Roy a literary figure in the late 1990s Train to Pakistan – Khushwant Singh Dalit (Opressed) Writing - a literary movement where men and women of marginalized and low-caste communities write poetry and fiction about their own lives and communities · · African Literature Africa’s literary contributions include oral traditions in prose and poetry in their native language and were later translated to English and French. It consists of: Proverbs Myths Songs Tales animals play a dominant role in African myths and folk stories There are 700 African languages but only 49 have been used for literary expression and from those 18 are South African Three important areas in African literature: [written] indigenous literature African writings in English The Nigerian novel WWII saw the rise of African intellectuals who were educated in France, England the US who wrote in English or French Types of African poetry: narrative epic occupational verse ritual verse praise poems (told by griots or praise singers) Songs: love songs, work songs, children’s songs, epigrams and riddles Philippine Literature Can generally be divided into three periods: The Legendary and Epic age (pre-Spanish) Oral literature Magical incantations, myths, legends and folktales Worship of the sun and moon and nature Stories on the origin of the universe and the human race Examples: Biag ni Lam-ang Hudhud and Alim Bidasari Indarapatra and Sulayman Period of Spanish occupation Literature that was religious in nature The Pasyon Moro-moro (drama) Awit and Corido (poetry) Nationalistic poetry Propaganda literature Examples: Florante at Laura Noli Me Tangere El Filibusterismo Period of the American occupation Literature in English Short stories Writing as a form of artistic expression Southeast Asian Literature: Indonesia Early literature had religious functions Songs and exorcisms (like psalms) No strict formal pattern Songs were improvised National language: Bahasa Indonesia l.santos. II-8 1011 Simple poems Oral literature Myths Animal stories “beast fables” Fairytales Legends Puzzles and riddles Anecdotes Adventure stories Examples: The Ever Lighted Lamp (Takdir Alisjohbana) Unruffled Sails Malay Literature in Indonesia Novels and poetry Moral intents Pantum (1st and 3rd lines rhyme and 2nd and 4th lines rhyme) Thai Literature Prominent literature is poetry light, romantic and musical klon’s pet ton – musical love songs (8 lines) Ramakien – epic in lyrical verse (sung) Writing Mythical Quasi-historical Religious Legal and religious literature Ex. Inao (the Thai Ramayana) Modern: the realistic novel Short stories Thai Classics (ex. Pattma Sompothtyan) Subject-Verb Agreement Check your NAT reviewers Connotation & Denotation Denotation The literal meaning of a word The dictionary meaning of a word The word is described in a neutral tone Connotation Emotional/cultural meaning or exposure attached to the word Implies a particular point of view in a positive or negative tone Value-laden (or lack of) Local Color Or regional literature focuses on the characters, dialect, customs, topography and other features particular to a specific region The use of slang, colloquialism or foreign words Title Dahong Palay Place of Origin Philippines Local Color Used Names: Sebio; Binay; pacio Local terms: Tia; suman; pasmado; bibingka; nanay The Gold Harvest Thailand The Story of Ruth Israel The Wonder Tree Saudi Arabia Names: Nai Hah Tong; Nang Song Sal Local terms: chai; mai pen rai; namprick; mai pen rat; mai chai Traditions: gods; dining practices; family ties Names: Naomi (pleasant); Mara (bitter); Boaz; Elimelech; Orpah Traditions: widows marry the closest single male relative; giving of a dowry Names: Zuleika; Ali Ben Ahmed; Ben Nedi Local terms: sheik; salaam Traditions: gift-giving; hospitality Folk Tales Title Important Stuff Guno and Koyo Place of Origin Indonesia The Four Puppets Myanmar (Burma) Characters: Aung; Mala; the four puppets (the King of the Gods [Thagyarmin]; the Ogre [Yaksha]; the Sorcerer [Zawgyi] and the Hermit) King (wisdom) Ogre (strength) Sorcerer (knowledge) Hermit (goodness) Theme: Goodness Strength and knowledge must always serve wisdom and goodness l.santos. II-8 1011 Characters: Guno (helpful); Koyo (rich) What happened: they went to rob the house of an old hadji but ended up doing foolish things, causing them to get chased and jumping into a dry riverbed—making fools out of themselves Don’t go swimming in a dry riverbed
