21 st Century Literature Lesson 1

From the Philippines and the World

Reasons for Reading

It has been a common understanding among

people that reading is mainly for the acquisition of
relevant information and also entertainment.
With this, it is necessary to discern that much
information concerning man as well as all the other
related aspects and dimensions of his entirely can be
best obtained through reading literature.
Reasons for Reading
With literature, man has the power to enrich
his experiences and explore the world which
may propel to great discoveries and genuine
realization about the various dimensions of life
and of the world in a broader sense.
Defining Literature?

Looking into the etymology of the

word literature, it was said to be
derived from the Latin word
litteratura which means letter or
writing, from litteratus, learning.
Defining Literature?

Literature covers both oral and

written forms of works which
manifest expressive or imaginative
quality, nobility of thoughts,
timelessness, and lastly, universality.
Defining Literature?

Literature takes significant human

experiences as its main subject.
It mainly discusses various dimensions
of life as well as its miseries and
glories.
Key Features of Literature
Literature is a form of communication
A product of commentary on the life process. Thus
man’s inner thoughts, feelings, and conditions can
be disclosed and revealed through the power of
literature. As we read stories from the past, our
forebears communicated with us through
literature. Thus, it goes across time and space.
Truly, literature engage us to share and to impart
a portion of ourselves which may be interesting
and benefiting to other people.
Literature is an art
The beauty of literature deliberates
manifestation of the mind’s ability to
create and imagine. In addition, it is
said to be an artistic expression of
man’s desires, aspirations, and
conditions.
Nobility of Thoughts
It is necessary to highlight ideas of great
importance and significance. Literature
should deal with ideas that can lead to
new responses to the world and can
move people to achieve great discoveries
of the dimensions of human life and
experiences.
Timelessness
The significant truth about life that a literary
work reveals should not wane and dissipate as
time passes by. A work must have an enduring
quality in which its beauty as well as its
applicability can withstand the change of time.
For example, the famous novels written by Rizal
during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines
reveal issues and themes which are still perceived
to be in existence.
Universality
A work must have global applicability in
which a work transcends across space. For
example, many Filipinos love to watch
dramas and movies of foreign origin. Though
these stories are set in a different locale,
Filipinos can effectively connect themselves
to and understand these foreign stories.
Literature has utility
The term “utile” refers to the intellectual, emotional,
and social function of any creative or literary work.
Through literature, we can obtain relevant information
to better understand people, society and culture. Also,
with what literature can share, it can lead to personal
renewal and transformation. It is noted that literature
ca liberate our minds and can uplift our spirits. It has
the power to influence perspectives about the self and
the world in general.