WORLD LITERATURE CLOCA 4B
THEORIES OF LITERATURE The use of symbolism as the style of the writer.
LITERATURE IS IMITATIVE
Imitative Theory holds that art is an imitation of
something. In his Poetics, Aristotle (384- 322 B.C.) says
that a tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious
and complete. Because imitation now has pejorative
associations, it is well to think of Aristotle’s mimesis as
not only “imitation” but also “re-creation” or
“representation.”
Literature is believed to be a study of literary
backgrounds where writers follow the example of other
authors before they arrive at their own original works.
Uses Patterns
LITERATURE IS REPRESENTATIVE
Expressive Theory holds that an artist is not essentially
an imitator but one who expresses his feelings. D.H.
Lawrence said, “One sheds one’s sickness in books,
repeats and presents again one’s emotions to be master
of them.”
The expressions are representations of the author’s
emotions and feelings.
It is a representation or a substitute of a reality during
that time. It is important to figure out the author,
setting. When was it written, is it still applicable at the
present? Are they still in the particular era? It
embodies / depicts the people of the time.
Shows the characteristics of a whole.
LITERATURE IS APPRECIATIVE
Literature gives us a bigger view of life - A story of one
episode might happen to many of the viewers
Affective Theory holds that a work of art ought to
arouse a particular emotion, or affect (to use the
psychologist’s term), in the perceiver.
It gives us views of life. You can relate to any of the
characters and to the story as well.
LITERATURE IS SYMBOLIC
Common Symbols and Archetypes
1. Water: the mystery of creation; birth-death-
resurrection; purification and redemption; fertility and
growth.
According to Carl Jung, water is most common
1. The Sea: the mother of all life; spiritual mystery and
infinity; death and rebirth; timelessness and eternity;
the unconscious. b) Rivers: death and rebirth (baptism);
the flowing of time into eternity; transitional phases of
the life cycle; incarnations of deities.
2. Sun (fire and sky are closely related): creative energy;
law in nature; consciousness (thinking, enlightenment,
wisdom, spiritual vision); father principle (moon and
earth tend to be associated with the mother principle);
passage of time and life.
a) Rising sun: birth; creation; enlightenment b)
Setting sun: death
3. Colors
 Red: blood, sacrifice, violent passion, disorder
 Green: growth, sensation, hope, fertility, in
ironical context may be associated with death
and decay
 Blue: usually highly positive, associated with
truth, religious feeling, spiritual purity, security 
 White: highly multivalent; signifying in its
positive aspects light, purity, innocence, and
timelessness; signifying in its negative aspects,
death, terror, the supernatural, and the blinding
truth of an inscrutable cosmic mystery as in
“The Whiteness of the Whale” chapter in Moby
Dick
 Black (darkness): chaos, mystery, the unknown,
death, primal wisdom, the unconscious, evil,
melancholy

4. Circle (sphere): wholeness, unity
 Yang-Yin- the Chinese symbol representing the
union of opposite forces of the Yang (masculine
principle: light, activity, the conscious mind) and
the Yin (the feminine principle: darkness,
passivity, and the unconscious mind).
 Ouroboros: the ancient symbol of a snake biting
its own tail, signifying the eternal cycle of life,
primordial unconsciousness, the unity of
opposing forces (as in Yang- Yin).
5. Serpent (snake or worm)
 Symbol of energy and pure force (cf. libido);
evil, corruption, sensuality; destruction;
mystery; wisdom; the unconscious.
LITERARY STANDARDS
Criteria that suggest and is used of world literary critics to
evaluate a literary piece
Criteria which makes one work a Literary Masterpiece
Permanence
Artistry
Suggestiveness
Universality
Spiritual Value
Intellectual Value
Style
PERMANENCE
 A great work of literature endures.
 It can be read again and again as each reading
gives fresh delight and new insights and opens a
new world of meaning and experience.
 Its appeal is lasting. “hindi nagbabago”
 Ex. Rizal always in educational curriculum
because it is where we rooted our being Filipino
ARTISTRY
 This is the quality that appeals to our sense of
beauty
 Appeals to our sense of beauty.
 Appeals to our senses
 Choice of characters, songs used, backdrops,
lines of characters and the plot itself
SUGGESTIVENESS
 This is the quality associated with the emotional
power of literature.
 Great literature moves us deeply and stirs our
feeling and imagination, giving and evoking
visions above and beyond the plane of ordinary
life and experience.
 After reading the story, you can have the vision
that it may also happen to you.
UNIVERSALITY
 Great literature is timeless and timely.
 Forever relevant, it appeals to one and all,
anytime, anywhere, because it deals with
elemental feelings, fundamental truths and
universal conditions.
 Appeals to all over the world
 Ex. Romeo and Juliet – theme is forever relevant
SPIRITUAL VALUE
 Literature elevates the spirit by bringing out
moral values which makes a better person.
 The capacity to inspire is part of the spiritual
value of literature.
 Inspires and awakens our being spiritual
 Ex. Lenten Movies
INTELLECTUAL VALUE / BEAUTY
 A literary works stimulates thought.
 It enriches our mental life by making us realize
fundamental truths about life and human
nature.
 It gives morals. Stimulates our mental life
 What value is that we love most in the
particular main character?
 Quality relevant to our emotions.
STYLE
 This is the peculiar way in which writers sees
life, forms his ideas and expresses them.
 Great works are marked as much by their
memorable substance as by their distinctive
style and it has to suit the content
 Artistry and Style must go together