ST.

ANTHONY COLLEGE WORLD LITERATURE

CALAPAN CITY, INC.

Information Sheet 1.3

Introduction to Literature
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, you must be able to:
1. Define literature
2.Realize the importance of literature
3. Cite seven literary standards
4. Describe literary approaches
5. Identify types of literature
6. Differentiate Prose and Poetry
7. Recognize Literary compositions that have influenced the world

Defining Literature

Literature, in its broadest sense, is any written work. Etymologically, the term
derives from Latin litaritura/litteratura “writing formed with letters,” although some
definitions include spoken or sung texts. More restrictively, it is writing that
possesses literary merit. Literature can be classified according to whether it is
fiction or non-fiction and whether it is poetry or prose. It can be further
distinguished according to major forms such as the novel, short story or drama,
and works are often categorized according to historical periods or their
adherence to certain aesthetic features or expectations (genre).

Taken to mean only written works, literature was first produced by some of the
world’s earliest civilizations—those of Ancient Egypt and Sumeria—as early as
the 4th millennium BC; taken to include spoken or sung texts, it originated even
earlier, and some of the first written works may have been based on a pre-
existing oral tradition. As urban cultures and societies developed, there was a
proliferation in the forms of literature. Developments in print technology allowed
for literature to be distributed and experienced on an unprecedented scale, which
has culminated in the twenty-first century in electronic literature.

Definitions of literature have varied over time.  In Western Europe prior to the
eighteenth century, literature as a term indicated all books and writin.  A more
restricted sense of the term emerged during the Romantic period, in which it
began to demarcate “imaginative” literature.

Contemporary debates over what constitutes literature can be seen as returning

to the older, more inclusive notion of what constitutes literature. Cultural studies,
for instance, takes as its subject of analysis both popular and minority genres, in
addition to canonical works.

Importance of Literature
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 Sparks empathy and understanding

Reading a book is one of the best ways to fully immerse your mind into another
person’s dialogue and experiences. Being able to empathise and understand
other people’s feelings is a key aspect of helping you connect to different
regions, races, societies, and periods of time. They help a person take a closer
look at the different facets of living aside from what they know and live which can
change perspectives.

 Learn about past lives

History plays a fundamental role in shaping literature, every novel, play, or poem
you read has been influenced by political context, or a time period, or a
relationship from the time it was written.

Not forgetting the pure history of literature itself with the first novel being penned
in 2000 BC - The Epic of Gilgamesh. Being able to read first-hand something
from so long ago is a major aspect of learning the lives of historical figures and
times.

 Escapism and possibilities

Reading can take us into different realms and see other people’s creative thought
processes. Whether it’s flying into Neverland, wandering through Middle Earth,
battling at Hogwarts, or rafting through the Mississippi River with Huck and Jim -
books can take you anywhere and any place. This is an amazing tool that few
entertainment mediums can truly give you and one of the reasons why literature
is so beautiful. Whether you’re having a bad day, stressed out with work, dealing
with new life decisions - books can help you escape into another world and live
somewhere else for a short amount of time.

Novels provide knowledge, entertainment, encourage creativity and offer an

escape for readers - enriching our lives in more ways than one. It’s definitely
much more than words in a book, and even with the increasing popularity of
eBooks, Kindles, Wattpad, and online reading they create a conversation, a
unique world, and new perspectives.

Seven Literary Standards

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1. Universality – It appeals to everyone regardless of culture, race, sex, and

time which are considered significant.
2. Artistry – It has an aesthetic appeal to everyone and thus possesses a
sense of beauty.
3. Intellectual Value – It stimulates critical thinking that enriches the mental
processes of abstract and reasoning, making man realizes the fundamental
truths of life and its nature.
4. Suggestiveness – It unravels and conjures man’s emotional power to
define symbolism, nuances, implied meanings, images and message, giving
and evoking visions above and beyond the plane of ordinary life and
experiences.
5. Spiritual Value – It elevates the spirit and the soul and thus have the
power to motivate and inspire, drawn from the suggested morals or lessons of
the different literary genres.
6. Permanence – It endures across time and draws out the time
factor: TIMELINESS, occurring at a particular time, and TIMELESSNESS,
remaining invariably throughout time.
7. Style – It presents peculiar ways on how man sees life as evidenced by
the formation of his ideas, forms, structures, and expressions which are
marked by their memorable substance.

Critical Approaches to Literature

1. The formalist approach: literary analysis: what the work means (theme) and

how it conveys its meaning (style); the relation of theme to style. Good work is
one that is interesting because it conveys meaning in an interesting way, an
intriguing way to say the "same old thing" (Pope: "True wit is Nature to advantage
dressed. . .")
2. The humanist/ethical approach: the effect the work has on the audience/
reader. The larger function of literature is to teach morality and to probe
philosophical issues. Literature should instruct and delight
"Good" work has a positive, enriching, impact on the reader; "bad" work has
negative, dulling, impact.
Examples: Christian humanist, Marxist, feminist, "moral crusader " (censorship)
3. The historical approach: the relationship of the work to history. The impact of
the work on history and the importance of historical knowledge in understanding
a work. How history and literature inform and affect each other
1) Social / political history; 2) Literary history (the development of the literary
tradition)
4. The biographical approach: the relationship of the writer's life to the work.
5. The psychological approach: what the work tells us about the human mind.
Literature as a tool of psychoanalysis.
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Freudian literary analysis; e.g., the unconscious, dream interpretations, sexual

motivation, the importance of childhood on adult development, neuroses, the
tripartite scheme of the human mind (id, ego, superego), the "talking cure," etc.
6. The mythic approach: universal patterns of human behavior and thinking as
conveyed in literature.
Jungian literary analysis. Archetypal story patterns; e.g., stories of creation, of
"the fall," of social / sexual initiation, of the Quest. Archetypal image patterns,
colors -- red, black =?)
7. The textual approach: 1) what is the actual text? changes in the history of a
text; 2) impact of translation 3) oral tradition 4) Changes in the text: substantive &
accidental; authorial v. those made by editor 5) Pre & post 1455
8. The linguistic approach: what the text tells us about the language of the time
of the work.
9. The subjective or personal approach:  1) Reader Based criticism -- the
effect that the differences of readers has on reading common "text"; 2) Personal
reaction -- that which is beyond literary analysis; did you enjoy the work?

Types of literature
I. Prose - “prosa” which means straightforward. It consists written works within the
common flow of conversation presented in a straightforward manner.
Types of Prose
a. Novel This is a long narrative divided into chapters. The events may be taken
from true-to-life stories and spans for a long period of time. There are many
characters involved.
b. Short Story This is a narrative involving one ormore characters, one plot and
one single impression.Examples:
c. Plays This is presented on a stage, is divided into acts and each act has many
scenes.
d. Legends These are fictitious narratives, usually about origins. It provides
historical information regarding the culture and views of particular group of
people or country. Examples: The Bikol Legend Legend of Pineapple Legend of
“Makahiya”
e. Folk tales A traditional narrative, usuallyanonymous, and handed down orally.
Example: The adventures of Juan The Hawk and the Hen Fairy Tales
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f. Fables (special type of folk tale) These are also fictitious and they deal with
animals and inanimate things who speak and act like people. Their purpose is to
enlighten the minds of children to events that can mold their ways and
attitudes.Examples: Aesop’s Fables The Lion and the Mouse
g. Myths A traditional sacred story, typicallyrevolving around the activities of
godsand heroes, which aim to explain anatural phenomenon or cultural
practice.Example: The Story of Cupid and Psyche The Fall of Troy The Myth
about Creation - Tagalog
h. Anecdotes These are merely products of the writer’s imagination and the
main aim is to bring out lessons to the reader. “The Moth and the Lamp” – Dr.
Jose Rizal The Best Advice I ever Had
i. Essay This expresses the viewpoint or opinion of the writer about a particular
problem or event. The best example of this is the Editorial page of a newspaper.
Examples: Of Studies – Francis Bacon On Doors – Christopher Morley
j. Biography This deals with the life of a person which may be about himself, his
autobiography or that of others. Example: Cayetano Arellano – Socorro O. Albert
k. News This is a report of everyday events in society, government, science and
industry, accidents etc., happening nationally or not.
l. Oration This is a formal treatment of a subject and is intended to be spoken in
public. It appeals to the intellect, to the will or to the emotions of the audience.
Examples: “Because of What We Are, and What We Believe” I have A Dream –
Martin Luther King
II. Poetry is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning,
sound, and rhythmic language choices as to evoke emotional response.
A. Narrative Poetry: This form describes important events in life either real or
imaginary.
B. Epic It is an extended narrative about heroic exploits under supernatural
control. It may deal with heroes and gods. The hero/heroine usually has the
following characteristics: idealism, courage, wisdom, beauty, endurance, chivalry
and justice.
Two Kinds of Epic poetry
a. Popular or ancient epic – often without a definite author and is of slow
growth.
b. Modern epic – with a definite author. Examples: Biag ni Lam-ang Epic
C. Metrical Tales This is a narrative which is written in verse and can be
classified either as a ballad or metrical romance. Examples of these are simple
idylls or home tales, love tales, or tales of the supernatural or tales written for a
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strong moral purpose in verse form. “The Lady of Shallot” by Lord Alfred
Tennyson
D. Ballads This is considered as the shortest and simplest of the narrative
poems. It has a simple structure and tells of a single incident. Variations of these
are: love ballads, war ballads, sea ballads, humorous, moral, historical, or
mythical ballads. Example: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner – Samuel Taylor
Coleridge
E. Lyric Poetry: Originally, this refers to that kind of poetry meant to be sung to
the accompaniment of a lyre, but now, this applies to any type of poetry that
expresses emotions and feelings to the poet. They are usually short, simple and
easy to understand.
Types of Lyric Poetry
1. Folksongs (Awiting Bayan) These are short poems intended to be
sung. The common theme is love, despair, grief, doubt, joy, hope, and
sorrow.
2. Sonnets This is a lyric of poem of 14 lines dealing with an emotion, a
feeling or an idea. There are two types: the Italian and the
Shakespearean.
3. Elegy This is a lyric poem which expresses feelings of grief and
melancholy, and whose theme is death. Angie No one knows what really
happened to her all they know that she was good and dead some people
say it was foul play some people say it was something wrong in her head
but then I began to have these weird dreams about her some beautiful
some horrible,but how do we know whats real and whats a fantasy when
Angies not here to tell.
4. Ode This is a poem of a noble feeling, expressed with dignity, with no
definite number of syllables or definite number of lines in a stanza.
5. Psalms This is a song praising God or the Virgin Mary and containing a
philosophy of life.
6. Awit (Song) These have the measures of twelve syllables
(dodecasyllabic) and slowly sung to the accompaniment of a guitar or
banduria. Example: Florante at Laura(Francisco Balagtas) O pagsintang
labis ng kapangyarihan, Sampung mag-aama’y iyong nasasaklaw; Pag
ikaw ang nasok sa puso ninuman, Hahamakin ang lahat masunod ka
lamang!
7. Corridos These have measures of eight syllables (octosyllabic)and
recited to a martial beat. The songs are often about oppressions, daily life
of peasants, and other socially important information.
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F. . Dramatic Poetry: This is an emotional piece of literature which includes a

story which is recited or sung. Soliloquy and dramatic monologues are the main
instruments of this form of poetry.
1. Comedy This word comes from the Greek term “Komos” meaning
festivity or revelry. This form usually is light and written with a purpose of
amusing, and usually has a happy ending.
2. Melodrama This is usually seen in musical play with the opera. Today,
this is related to tragedy just as the farce to comedy. It arouses immediate
and intense emotion and is usually sad but there is a happy ending for the
principal character.
3. Tragedy This involves the hero struggling mightily against dynamic
forces; he meets death or ruin without success and satisfaction obtained
by the protagonist in a comedy. Examples: Romeo and Juliet Hamlet
4. Farce This is an exaggerated comedy. It seeks to arouse mirth by
laughable lines; situations are too ridiculous to be true; the characters
seem to be caricatures and the motives undignified and absurd.
5. Social Poems This form is either purely comic or tragic and its pictures
the life of today. it may aim to bring about changes in the social conditions.

Literary Compositions that have influenced the World

1. The Bible or the Sacred Writings: This has become the basis of Christianity
originating From Palestine and Greece.
2. Koran: The Muslim Bible originating from Arabia.
3. The Iliad and the Odyssey: These have been the source of myths and legends of
Greece. They were written by Homer.
4. The Mahabharata: The longest epic of the world. It contains the history of religion in
India.
5. Canterbury Tales: It depicts the religion and customs of the English in the early
days. This originated from England and was written by Chaucer.
6. Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe of the U.S. This depicted the
sad fate of slaves; this became the basis of democracy later on.
7. The Divine Comedy: (by Dante of Italy) This shows the religion and customs of early
Italians.
8. El Cid Compeador: This shows the cultural characteristics of the Spaniards and their
national history.
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9. The Songs of Rolando: This includes Doce Pares and Roncesvalles of France. It
tells about the Golden Age of Christianity in France
10. The Book of the Dead: This includes the Cult of Iris and the mythology and
theology of Egypt.
11. The Book of the Days: This was written by Confucius of China.12. One Thousand
and One Nights or the Arabian Nights: From Arabia and Persia (Iran). It shows the ways
of governments, of industries and of the society of the Arabs and Persians.

For further readings visit the following links:

https://www.slideshare.net/JelmaPerico/literary-approaches-77285501