Introductio
n to World
Literature
Ms. Jeryll Kim B. Mercado
Throughout the years, people have
used literature to celebrate life,
endured pain and praise God for it
offers a deep sense of understanding
and reflection of human’s life.
It is derived from the Latin word
“literature” which means
acquaintance with letters.
It refers to any “written work”.
What is
Literature? It is the mirror of the society which
reflects societal norms, culture,
tradition, experiences, etc.
It goes along with society
• A body of literary productions,
either oral, written or visual.
What is
• Contains imaginative language that
Literature? realistically portray thoughts,
emotions, and experiences of the
human condition.
• World literature is used to refer to the sum total of the
world's national literatures, but usually it refers to the
circulation of works into the wider world beyond their country
of origin.
• Often used in the past primarily for masterpieces of Western
What is World European literature, world literature today is increasingly
seen in global context.
Literature?
• According to David Damrosh, World Literature are “literary
works that circulate beyond their culture of origin.
• In its most expansive sense, it could include any work that
has reached beyond its ‘home base’.
It is a broad network of literature that interacts in the
spaces between cultures and must be read outside
its cultural context.
What is It is NOT a travelogue; should NOT be approached
World with the mindset of “look how different these people
are from us”.
Literature? It is about stepping out of our neighborhoods,
regions, cultures, and ethnicities and placing
ourselves in the larger context of humanity.
• There is a lot to be said about the diversity and
universality of world literature.
• The distinct language and inventiveness of certain
What is literature coming from different continents showcase
World the lives and emotions of their people, while offering
the world a view of what happens in their society.
Literature?
• A good example is the common themes of diaspora
in Asian and African literature, magic realism in
Latin American literature, and societal issues in the
classical literature of Europe and North America.
• Just as important to understand where we come
from as it is to understand the culture that an author
What do we comes from.
bring as • We read works of World Literature out of its context,
and cannot understand or appreciate it in the same
Readers? way as someone from the same culture.
• By understanding our own culture, we can gain
deeper meaning from an author from a foreign
culture.
• Ultimately, we read/study World Literature to
establish common ground, rather than show
differences; that’s why authors strive to create new
ideas that aren’t limited by national or cultural
boundaries.
STANDARDS OF
LITERATURE
PERMANENCE
• An important feature of great literature is that it
endures. Classic literature such as the work
Dickens are still enjoyed by readers today,
generations after they were originally written
and in a completely different world it was
intended for.
• This is extremely important because if a work of
literature is not enjoyed 20 years after
publication, it will simply be forgotten.
• This is similar to endurance in a way that
UNIVERSAL literature must appeal to a range of
APPEAL people across different age groups,
nationalities, cultures and beliefs
ARTISTRY • The literature should be well written and
appeal to our sides with beautifully crafted
phrases and sentences. Sentences such as
are often memorized and can become
famous phrases.
STYLE
• The writer of literature will usually have a
unique view of the world and will put
thoughts in a way we have never
considered. It may be thoughts about the
world, or it may simply be thoughts about
the actual words used. Words may be
used in a creative and unusual way that is
entertaining and interested.
INTELLECTUALLY VALUABLE
Literary work will usually inform us about our past, our present or the world
around us. It may not be in the form of facts and figures but it will help us
understand our lives and realize truths about humanity and life in general.
Literature should mentally stimulate us and enriches our thoughts
• Literature should carry many associations that
lead beyond the surface meaning. Underlying
suggestions usually carry an enormous amount
of emotional power, often because it is not
directly mentioned but hinted at through
associations that can often be more powerful.
SUGGESTIVENESS • The reader is left to establish what the author is
suggesting, and this captures the reader’s
imagination by making him/her think about
he/she he are reading.
SPIRITUAL
VALUE • Great works of literature are often thought to have
an underlying moral message which are often
written between the lines than can potentially make
us better people.
