Topic 37: Literary Language: Literary Genres. Literary Criticism

Literature (definition)

• Literature as a multifaceted domain (novels, poetry, drama, short stories, etc.)

• Repository of the human condition

• Literary language: specialised form of expression that transcends the utilitarian function of language

Literary language

• Its importance lies in its capacity to delve into the depths of human thought and emotion

  • Enables authors to craft narratives and readers to interpret them

  • Through literary language writers comment on society, politics, philosophy, etc.

  • Authors use synonyms, metaphors, etc. to create metaphors, concepts…

• Narrative style: distinct and individualised voice, crafted with precision to suit the intended tone and message (variety of styles)

• One of the primary functions of literary language is its ability to delve into the complexities of human emotions and universal themes. Authors use it to explore a wide array of concepts

Literary genres (definition)

• A literary genre is a category or classification of literature based on shared and recognisable characteristics, themes, structures and styles

• They help organise and categorise literary works, making it easier for readers, writers, scholars and publishers to identify and discuss different types of literature. They create a set of conventions within a specific category of literature

• Its origins date to the Poetics of Aristotle

Genres (list)

• Fiction

  • Mystery and thriller

  • Science fiction

  • Fantasy

  • Romance

  • Horror

  • Historical fiction

  • Adventure

  • Comedy

• Non-fiction

  • Biography

  • Autobiography

  • Essay

  • History

• Drama

• Poetry

Fiction & its genres

Broad genre, narrative works created from the imagination of the author

• Mystery and thriller: focus on suspense, tension and the resolution of mysteries, often involving crime or danger. Subgenres include detective fiction, psychological thrillers and legal thrillers (e.g. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle)

• Horror: seeks to evoke fear and terror in readers, often through supernatural of psychological elements. It includes subgenres like gothic horror and cosmic horror (e.g: Dracula by Bram Stoker)

• Science fiction: explores imaginative and speculative concepts based on science and technology. It often delves into futuristic or alternate realities, space travel, and extraterrestrial life (e.g: Dune by Frank Herbert)

• Fantasy: transports readers to magical or mythical words, where they encounter fantastical creatures, magic and epic quests. It includes subgenres like high fantasy and urban fantasy (e.g: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien)

• Romance: centred on love and romantic relationships. Can be found in various settings and tiem periods, including historical romance and contemporary romance (e.g: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

• Historical fiction: it takes place in a specific historical time and place, using real historical events for fictional stories (e.g. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr)

• Adventure: often follows daring journeys, exploration and thrilling escapades. It can be found in various settings and time periods (e.g: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson)

• Comedy: intended to amuse and entertain through humour, satire and wit. Includes subgenres like farce and romantic comedy (e.g: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde)

Non fiction

• Factual and informative works

  • Biography: account of a person’s life (e.g: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson)

  • Autobiography: an individual’s life story, written by themselves (e.g. The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank)

  • Essay: short, reflective pieces of writing on various topics (e.g: Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson)

  • History: books that document historical events and periods (e.g: A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn)

Poetry and Drama

• Drama: comprising plays and scripts for performance, drama explores characters and their interactions on stage. It includes subgenres like tragedy, comedy and historical drama (e.g: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)

• Poetry: genre characterised by its use of language, rhythm and often, metaphor and symbolism to evoke emotions, imagery and meaning (e.g. The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot)

The novel (definition)

Long work of fictional prose narrative that tells a story, typically involving characters, events and a plot. Novels are one of the most common and widely recognised forms of liteary expression, known for their ability to engage readers and offer in-depth exploration of various themes and human experiences.

The novel (characteristics)

• Prose form: written in prose, standard form of written or spoken language, as opposed to verse or poetry. It allows for detailed storytelling and character development

• Narrative structure: novels have a clear narrative structure, typically including elements like a beginning, middle and end. They often feature a plot with rising action, a climax and resolution

• Character development: novels focus on the development of characters. Readers get to know, empathise with the characters, understanding their motivations, emotions and growth over the course of the story

• Setting and world-building: setting or world in which the story takes place. it can be realistic, historical, fantastical or a combination of different elements, depending on the genre and author’s intent

• Themes and messages: often explore various themes, such as love, identity, morality, societal issues and the human condition

• Diversity of genres: wide range of genres, including mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction… Each genre has its conventions and themes, catering to diverse reader interests

• Narrative perspective: novels can be written from various narrative perspectives, including first-person (told from a character’s point of view), third-person limited (focused on one character’s perspective) and third-person omniscient (providing insight into multiple characters’ thoughts)

Literary criticism

• Evaluation and analysis of literary works, often in the form of essays or scholarly writings

• Systematic examination of literature to understand, interpret and assess its various elements, including themes, characters, symbolism, structure, style and historical or cultural context

  • It aims to provide insights into the meaning and significance of literary texts, as wells as to stimulate discussion and debate about their merits and interpretations

• Literary criticism involves interpreting and analysing the content and form of literary works

  • Meaning of a texts

  • Characters’ motivations

  • Symbolism

  • Author’s intentions

  • Historical and cultural context in which a book was written or set

• Critics may offer evaluations of literary works (strengths and weaknesses), often seeking to explore the complexities and ambiguities of literature

• Wide range of critical approaches, including formalism, structuralism, post-structuralism, psychoanalytic criticism, feminist criticism, reader-response theory and more

• Literary criticism is employed in various settings, including academic studies, literary reviews, etc.

  • It helps readers gain deeper insights into texts and appreciate their multifaceted nature

  • Critics may explore questions of authorship, influence of their personal life, the reception of the work by audiences, etc.