WORLD OF

LITERATURE
AN INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

LITERARY
GENRES

M E R IC A N L IT E R A T U R E
A

N LaIT
de d
nERAPr eju
REdice
PSriIA
A TU

VJ CASTILLEJO
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION TO
LITERATURE
6 PHILIPPINES' LITERATURE

2-3 7
MAJOR TYPES OF KARANUNGANG BAYAN
LITERATURE

4 AMERICAN LITERATURE 8 EPIKO

5
ASIAN LITERATURE
LITERATURE WHAT IS LITERATURE?

Literature broadly is any collection of written work, but it is also used

more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form,
especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry.

Etymologically, the term derives from Latin

literatura/litteratura "learning, a writing,
grammar," originally "writing formed with
letters," from litera/littera "letter". In spite of
this, the term has also been applied to
spoken or sung texts. Developments in print
technology have allowed an ever-growing
distribution and proliferation of written
works, which now includes electronic
literature.

THE START OF LITERATURE

Literature and writing, though connected, are not synonymous. The very first writings from ancient Sumer by
any reasonable definition do not constitute literature—the same is true of some of the early Egyptian
hieroglyphics or the thousands of logs from ancient Chinese regimes. Scholars have often disagreed
concerning when written record-keeping became more like "literature" than anything else; the definition is
largely subjective. Moreover, given the significance of distance as a cultural isolator in earlier centuries, the
historical development of literature did not occur at an even pace across the world.

Certain primary texts, however, may be isolated which have a qualifying role as literature's first stirrings. Very
early examples include Epic of Gilgamesh, in its Sumerian version predating 2000 BC, and the Egyptian
Book of the Dead, which was written down in the Papyrus of Ani in about 1250 BC, but probably dates from
about the 18th century BC. Ancient Egyptian literature was not included in early studies of the history of
literature because the writings of Ancient Egypt were not translated into European languages until after the
Rosetta stone was deciphered in the early 19th century.

1
LITERATURE:
FOUR MAJOR GENRES
Poetry, drama, fiction, and creative nonfiction are the four major genres in the literary
world. While each genre has distinct characteristics, these are not so much laws as tools or
conventions that the author employs. These major genres are briefly outlined below.

"LIT E R A R Y GENRES VENN DIAGRAM" BY M A T T S H I R L E Y ( 2 0 2 1 ) L I C E N S E D C C - B Y - S A . T H I S I M A G E S H O W S S O M E O F T H E D I F F E R E N C E S A N D O V E R L A P B E T W E E N D I FFERENT GENRES.

2
1. DRAMA 2. FICTION
Pros e
Mean t t o be performed to an audience
Crea t e d f rom the imagination. May be in s p i r e d b y r e a l
Char a c t e r List (often); Character names i n d i c a t e w h o i s
even t s o r people, but not chained by the c o n s t r a i n t s o f
spea k i n g (almost always)
real i t y .
Orga n i z e d by Acts, Scenes, and Line Num b e r s
Plot - b a s e d
May i n c l u de stage directions, but may n o t
Char a c t e r based
Plot b a s e d (it tells a story, usually invol v i n g a c o n f l i c t o f
Orga n i z e d through paragraphs and sent e n c e s
some k i n d )
Type s : S h ort Story, Novella, Novel
May b e w r itten in verse
Type s : C o medy, Tragedy, History, Roma n c e

3. CREATIVE NON-FICTION
Pros e
True ( n o t fabricated, not from the imagin a t i o n ) . T h i s i s a
*ver y i m p ortant* distinction from the oth e r g e n r e s .
Plot - b a s e d
Char a c t e r based
Orga n i z e d through paragraphs and sent e n c e s
Type s : N a rrative, Memoir, Literary Critic i s m , L i t e r a r y
Jour n a l i s m

4. POEM
Emph a s i s on image or feeling
More e m p h asis on rhythm and meter tha n o t h e r g e n r e s
(ol de r d r a m a, like S hakespeare, often us e s r h y t h m a n d
mete r )
Some t i m e s rhymes, but not always
Orga n i z e d through stanzas and lines
Does n o t require a plot or characters, al t h o u g h i t m a y
(suc h a s i n narrative poetry). Often focus e s o n s i n g l e
mome n t o r feeling or image
Mean t t o be heard as well as read

EXAMPLE:

"My Dear Friend" by VJ Castillejo

I tried to tell you thank you

In many ways that I can
But things just go out of place
And sometimes they are just unplanned
But I haven't forget what you did for me
I will remember all my life
Your gesture so sweet I would say
You made my life special all the way
So a big Thank you my friend
You are the best you understand

3
LITERATURE:
AMERICAN LITERATURE

American literature is literature predominantly written or produced in English in the

United States of America and its preceding colonies. Before the founding of the
United States, the Thirteen Colonies on the eastern coast of the present-day United
States were heavily influenced by British literature. The American literary tradition
thus is part of the broader tradition of English-language literature. A small amount of
literature exists in other immigrant languages. Furthermore, a rich tradition of oral
storytelling exists amongst Native American tribes.

WHAT MAKES AMERICAN LITERATURE AMERICAN?

American literature explains basic characteristics of all kinds of literature such as

characters, plots, settings, images and themes. It's embodies the ideas of americans and
makes certain places known. It also tells stories of certain characters american's had with
their unique culture.

EXAMPLE OF AMERICAN LITERATURE:

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville (1851)

The thrilling tale of one monomaniacal sea captain and his quest to kill the

giant white whale that chewed off his leg.

Moby Dick is a story first about oil and the violent pursuit of the wealth it

brings at all costs. Then it's about greed and vengeance, arrogance and the

futile attempt to control chaos.

4
 LITERATURE:
ASIAN LITERATURE

Asian literature is diverse in that it showcases a selection of styles and themes, but as it progressed over time,

common ideas have been identified between the texts from the various regions of the Asian continent.

Perhaps the most similar trait of all Asian texts is their religiosity and spirituality. Asian literature is known to be
a philosophical and contemplative art, pondering on major matters in life such as our origins and our death:
where we come from and where we go, how we come alive and how we die, as well as how we should live in

between.

Related to the spiritual feature, the involvement of nature is evident.

Besides these, Asian literature greatly talks about race, injustice, power, nationalism, struggles, love—and in all

things at all times, there are morals to be learned.

The most common styles in this type of literature are poetry or verse and dramatic prose. Asian poetry is
typically lyrical, as in it deals with the grand scheme of emotions. A sub-type of lyrical poetry is the ode, which we

can see in some religious texts. Asian poetry is also usually formed in narratives or story-telling verses like epics. As

for the proses of Asia, there are collections of short stories, legends, orally transmitted sayings, and dramas.

EXAMPLE OF ASIAN LITERATURE:

EPIC OF GILGAMESH

This story follows the story of Gilgamesh, the

mythological hero-king of Uruk, and his half-wild

friend, Enkidu, as they undertake a series of

dangerous quests and adventures, and then

Gilgamesh's search for the secret of immortality

after the death of his friend.

Asia, particularly in ancient

*This in fact originated in

Mesopotamia, which is now found in the Western region of

the continent.

5
PHILIPPINES LITERATURE:
Let's talk about Philippine literature because we're on the right track with Asian literature.

PHILIPPINES LITERARY HISTORY:

The different literary periods in Philippine literature include the pre-colonial

period, the Spanish colonial era, the American colonial era and the
contemporary period. Literature in the Philippines evolved as part of the
country's changing history.

The first Philippine literary period was the pre-colonial era. During this time, folk songs, epics,

narratives and sung narratives were popular. Many of the folk songs featured simple rhythms,

while narrative songs were used to tell historical stories. Philippine epics from the pre-

colonial era told mythological stories, and often reflected on community ethics.

During the Spanish colonial era, theater became popular. During this time, Spanish explorers

attempted to teach their language to indigenous people, which meant religious songs and

poetry found their place in society. The introduction of prose took a similar approach by

attempting to influence social behaviors. By the 19th century, Philippine writers were using

prose to their own benefit by writing about the negative effects of colonization.

During the American colonial period, English was introduced to mainstream schools

throughout the country. This meant some American literary influences had an impact on

Philippine literature, including the introduction of free verse poetry. Short story telling also

became popular, and as romantic movie traditions intersected with Philippine culture, so did

romantic novels.

Following military rule in the 1960s, the contemporary period emerged. Poetry, prose and

short stories remain popular, but writing has become more competitive and professional

throughout the country. Writers are encouraged to attend workshops, and literary awards

ceremonies are held each year.

6
PHILIPPINES LITERATURE:
KARUNUNGANG BAYAN

Ano ang karunungang bayan?

Ito ay isang sangay ng panitikan kung saan nagiging daan upang maipahayag ang mga kaisipan

na nakapapabilang sa bawat kultura ng isang tribo.

Mayaman na tayo sa mga karunungang bayan bago pa man dumating ang mga Kastila dito sa

ating bansa. Binubuo ito ng mga sumusunod:

Salawikain - Ito ay nakaugalian nang sabihin at nagsisilbing batas at tuntunin ng

kagandahang-asal ng ating mga ninuno. Sa iba, ito ay parang parabulang patalinghaga at

nagbibigay ng aral lalo na sa kabataan.

Halimbawa:

Kung sino ang matiyaga, siyang nagtatamo ng pala.

Sa paghahangad ng kagitna, isang salop ang nawala.

Bugtong - Ito ay binubuo ng isa o dalawang taludtod na maikli na may sukat at tugma. Ang
pantig naman nito ay maaaring apat hanggang labindalawa. Paborito itong libangan ng

ating mga ninuno

Halimbawa:

Kapag busog ay nakatuyo, kapag gutom ay nakayuko. "SAKO"

Kambal ngunit hindi magkakilala, hindi rin nagkikita. "TENGA"

Kasabihan - Ang mga kasabihan ay mga matatalinhagang salita na galing sa mga ninuno
natin na nagbibigay ng moral o aral sa mga kabataan.

Halimbawa:

Ang taong nagigipit, sa patalim man ay kumakapit.

Kung ano ang itinanim, siya rin ang aanihin.

7
PHILIPPINES LITERATURE:
EPIC
In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem, which is usually related to heroic deeds of a person

of an unusual courage and unparalleled bravery. In order to depict this bravery and courage, the

epic uses grandiose style.

The hero is usually the representative of the values of a certain culture, race, nation or a religious

group on whose victor of failure the destiny of the whole nation or group depends. Therefore,

certain supernatural forces, deus ex machina, help the hero, who comes out victor at the end. An

epic usually starts with an invocation to muse, but then picks up the threads of the story from the

middle and moves on to the end.

EXAMPLE:
BIAG NI LAM-ANG
Biag ni Lam-ang (lit. 'The Life of Lam-ang') is an epic

story of the Ilocano people from the Ilocos region of

the Philippines. It is notable for being the first

Philippine folk epic to be recorded in written form, and

was one of only two folk epics documented during the

Philippines' Spanish Colonial period, along with the

Bicolano epic of Handiong. It is also noted for being a

folk epic from a "Christianized" lowland people group

(the Ilocano people), with elements incorporated into

the storytelling.

As oral literature, the poem is believed to have

originated in pre-colonial times, evolving as it is

passed on from poet to poet and generation to

generation.  The poem's first transcription is sometimes

attributed to the blind Ilocano poet-preacher Pedro

Bucaneg, but historian E. Arsenio Manuel instead

attributes its first written documentation to Fr. Blanco

of Narvacan, working with the publicist and folklorist

Isabelo de los Reyes.

8
9