NOTRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY

Alunan Avenue, Koronadal City 9506

Lesson 1: INTRODUCTION TO
LITERATURE
oWhat Literature Is
oEssence and Significance of Literature
oStandards of Good Literature
oFunctions of Literature
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

citeincidents when they read literature for a

purpose;
explain why there is a need to study and promote
Philippine literature; and
share literary pieces they think have the standards
of good literature
What
Literature Is
Literature
“Literature refers to compositions that deal with
life experiences. It tells stories, dramatizes
situations, expresses emotions, analyses, and
advocates ideas.”
Ya-Patron (2002)
Literature
“Literature is the body of written works produced in a
particular language, country, or age. They are
writings in prose or verse; especially, writings having
excellence or universal interest.”

(Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature,

2014)
Essence and
Significance of
Literature
1. Literature (origin of the term – litera which means letter) deals
with ideas, thoughts, and emotions of man—thus it can be said
that literature is the story of man (Kahayon, 1998, p. 5-7);
Literature comes from the French phrase “belles-letters,” which
means beautiful writing (Baritugo, et al., 2004, p.1).
2. Literature in its broadest sense, is everything that has ever
written.
3. The best way to understand human nature fully and to know a
nation completely is to study literature. (Garcia et al., 1993, p.3)
4. Through literature, we learn the innermost feelings and
thoughts of people—the most real part of themselves, thus we
gain an understanding not only of others, but more importantly,
of ourselves and of life itself (Garcia, et al., 1993, p.4).

5. Literature offers us an experience in which we should

participate as we read and test what we read by our own
experience.

6. Literature does not yield much unless we bring something of

ourselves to it.
7. Literature illuminates life.

8. Literature is our life’s story including its struggles, ideals,

failures, sacrifice, and happiness (Ang, 2006).

9. Literature appeals to man’s higher nature and its needs—

emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and creative. Like all other
forms of art, literature entertains and gives pleasures; it fires the
imagination and arouses noble emotions and it enriches man by
enabling him to reflect on life and by filling him new ideas
(Garcia et al., 1993, p. 1-3).
10. Literature is one of the seven arts (i.e. music, dance,
painting, sculpture, theatre, and architecture, and as such
literature is a product of a creative work, the result of which is a
form and beauty (Nuggets, 1999, p.2).

11. Why do people read literature—for information, for

amusement, for higher and keener pleasure, for cultural
upliftment, and for discovery of broader dimensions in life
(Nuggets, 1999, p. 2-3).
 LITERARY MIRROR
ACTIVITY

They say that literature is a mirror of our soul. It

could also mean that our literature may reflect who we
are.
Share to the class a character from a literary piece
that you could relate yourself with and explain why
she/he/it is the character of your choice.
Don’t forget to wonder and appreciate
yourself.

Debasish Mridha
Standards of
Good
Literature
Artistry
Intellectual Value
Suggestiveness
Spiritual Value
Permanence
Universality
Thematic Value
Artistry
- quality which appeals to human’s
sense of beauty

Intellectual Value
- stimulates thought and enriches
our mental life by making us
realize fundamental truths about
life and human nature
Suggestiveness
- quality associated with the emotional
power of literature, such that it should
move us deeply and stir our creative
imagination, giving and evoking visions
above and beyond the plane of ordinary
life and experience
Spiritual value
- A good literature elevates the spirit by
bringing our moral values which make us
better persons… this capacity to inspire
is part of the spiritual value of literature.
Permanence
A great work of literature endures… it can be
read again and again as each reading gives
fresh delight and new insights and open new
worlds of meaning and experience.

Universality
A great literary piece appeals to everyone
regardless of culture, race, sex, and time
which are considered significant … forever
relevant in terms of its theme and conditions.
Thematic Value or Entertainment Value

-for the richness of its plot, for comparison with

other works, for the ideas it contains, for its
emotional power, for character analysis, as an
appeal to move readers to action, for social reforms,
for its representation of literary movements and
techniques, for the author’s use of language (style)
and most importantly for its reflection of life itself
(Garcia et al., 1993, p. 4).
 MINUTE PAPER
ACTIVITY

Think of a literary piece which you think has the

standards of good literature. Point out what particular
standards of good literature are contained in that work.
Functions of
Literature
Functions of Literature(Vinuya and Gondo, 2011)

recorder of a nation’s
man’s vehicle for self- history and its social
expression and political
upheavals

showcase of people’s
national identity
A. Literature as man’s vehicle for self-expression
The universal feeling of love is found in almost all the
artistic creation of mankind; and it shows in all art forms,
especially in literature.

The Filipinos’ love for country is shown in such songs

and poems as “Lupang Hinirang” (our national anthem),
“Bayan Ko”, “The Song of Maria Clara”, “Pilipinas
Kong Mahal”, “Ako ay Pilipino” (EDSA), Rizal’s “My
Last Farewell”, and a more recent one “Manila”.

The Filipino expresses his love to his beloved in his

sentimental kundiman and haranas together with
endearing love poems (Carbonels’ “Beyond Forgetting”
for example), letters, etc.
He manifests his anger and resentment,
displeasure, and disgust in his literature of
protest: “Ang Amain Namin” and “Aba Ginoong
Barya” by M.H. del Pilar (poetry) the “Noli Me
Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” by Jose P. Rizal
(novels), “Rice and Bullets” by H. Ocampo (short
story), “The Visitation of the Gods” by Gilda
Cordero Fernando (short story), “Ibong
Mandaragit” by Amado Hernandez (novel), “The
Mis-education of the Filipino” by Renato
Constantino (essay) and many, many more.
His humorous inclinations are found in some of
his naughty riddles, proverbs, and salawikain, in
the short stories of Carlos Bulosan (The Story of
a Letter, the Court Trial) and Pedroches’ ‘Amor
Seco’ (short story) and many others like Severino
Reyes’ zarzuela “Walang Sugat”, and Reli
German’s book “Eraptions” –a compilation of ex-
president Estrada’s very funny way of murdering
the English language.
B. Literature as a recorder of a nation’s history and its social
and political upheavals
In our country, momentous events have been recorded by writers,
artists, and communicators alike.
EDSA I is preserved in a documentary entitled “People Power;
The Philippine Experience” (available also in beta tape) which
chronicles the ouster of the former President Marcos and the
consequent swearing in of Corazon C. Aquino as the New President of
the Republic of the Philippines (February 22-25, 1986).
Ilocano epic Lam-ang and Manuel E. Arguillas’s “Midsummer”
(short story) which depicts Ilocano culture of the North.
Nick Joaquin’s “May Day Eve” (short story) or his
“Guardia de Honor” (short story), an update on the
superstitious beliefs of the Filipinos, plus the traditions of
our forefathers that have pervaded in Filipinos’ lives even
today.

C. Literature as a showcase of people’s national

identity
Among the Arts, music (and the song) has the most
pronounced role in showcasing national identity although
fashion may also vie for the role.
“Lupang Hinirang” (“Land of the Morning” before) is
unmistakably Filipino, just as the Star Spangled Banner is
definitely American.
“Ako ay Pilipino” and “America”? “Manila” and “New
York, New York”?)
In an International Night for beauty contests or even in the
Parade of Nations in our Olympic Games opening ceremony
where contestants are asked to wear their national
costumes/dresses, the national identity of each participant is
really apparent by the apparel worn. A lady in kimono is
Japanese; one in Cheongsam is Chinese; another in a sari is
Hindu/Indian; one garbed in “batik and Sarong” is
Indonesian; and a lady in a “terno” with butterfly sleeves is,
of course a Filipino.

When it comes to literary outputs of a nation, KABOUKI, no

matter where it is staged, bears the stamp of a Japanese play;
and no matter where a “zarzuela” is presented, it bears the
badge of a Filipino. The HAIKU, too is uniquely Japanese
poetry; just as the BALAGTASAN is definitely Filipino.
 MIND MAP GROUP TASK

CRITERIA POINTS
Create a mind map using what you
learned in this lesson. Put the word ‘literature’
Content 20
in the center of a short bond paper and connect
Organization of
it to the definitions, essence and significance, thoughts and 10
grammar
standards, and functions of literature. Be
Creativity 10
creative; you may use design, colored pens,
stickers, and so on. TOTAL 40
MIND MAP
MAJOR TASK

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