great books | prelim (89)

Literature

from the Latin littera meaning "letters," refers to the written works of a particular culture, subculture, religion, or philosophy.

Prose

is a written or spoken language that follows natural speech patterns. Unlike poetry, it does not use a formal structure like rhyme or meter and is used in most everyday writing.

Two Main Types of Prose

Fictional prose

Nonfictional prose

Fictional prose

tells made-up stories created from the writer's imagination.

Nonfictional prose

presents facts, real events, or opinions based on truth.

Novel

A long, structured narrative that features complex characters and multiple intertwined events

Example:

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Short Story

A brief, focused narrative that centers on a single event, character, or theme

Example:

The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

Fable

A short tale that features animal characters and conveys a lesson

Example:

The Tortoise and the Hare by Aesop

Fairy Tale

A magical story with fantastical elements and a lesson, often passed down through generations

Example:

Cinderella, Snow White

Myth

A traditional tale that explains origins, nature, or culture, often involving gods or supernatural beings

Example:

The **** of Prometheus (Greek)

Legend

A story passed down through generations, blending and the historical facts with fictional elements, often centered on heroes

Example:

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

Common Subgenres of Fictional Prose

• Novel

• Short Story

• Fable

• Fairy Tale

• Myth

• Legend

Biography

A detailed account of a person's life story written by someone else

Example:

Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

Autobiography

A person's life story written by themselves

Example:

The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

Memoir

A personal account focusing on specific memories, experiences, or themes

Example:

Educated by Tara Westover

Essay

A short piece that presents, explains, argues, or reflects on an idea

Example:

Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Speech

A written text intended to be spoken aloud to inform, persuade, or inspire

Example:

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr.

Common Subgenres of Nonfictional Prose

• Biography

• Autobiography

• Memoir

• Essay

• Speech

Poetry

is a form of creative expression that conveys feelings, thoughts, or ideas through vivid language, rhythm, and sound. It is typically arranged in lines and stanzas and may or may not include rhyme.

Haiku

A 3-line poem with 5-7-5 syllables, often focused on nature

Example:

The Old Pond by Matsuo Basho

Sonnet

A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme, often exploring love or reflection

Example:

Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

Free Verse

A poem without fixed rhyme or meter; mimics natural speech

Example:

Song of Myself by Walt Whitman

Limerick

A humorous 5-line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme

Example:

The Adventurous Man from Peru

Ballad

A narrative poem that tells a story, often meant to be sung

Example:

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Forms of Poetry

• Haiku

• Sonnet

• Free Verse

• Limerick

• Ballad

Drama

is a form of literature written to be performed by actors. It tells a story through dialogue, movement, and stage directions.

Tragedy

A serious drama where the main character faces downfall or death

Example:

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Comedy

A humorous play with light-hearted events, often ending happily

Example:

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Musical

A play where music, songs, and dance help tell the story

Example:

The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Historical Drama

A play based on real historical events or figures

Example:

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Genres of Drama

• Tragedy

• Comedy

• Musical

• Historical Drama

Forms of Literature

1. Prose

2. Poetry

3. Drama

Literary devices

are a broad category that encompasses both literary elements and techniques used by authors to enhance storytelling.

Literary elements

are the basic components of storytelling that work together to shape the structure and meaning of a literary text. These include:

1. Plot

2. Setting

3. Character

4. Conflict

5. Point of View (POV)

Plot

refers to the sequence of events that make up a story. Such as:

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Resolution

Exposition

This is the part where the setting, characters, and initial situation are introduced.

Rising Action

A series of events that build suspense and develop the central conflict.

Climax

The most intense point of the story, where the conflict reaches its peak, and the outcome begins to shift.

Falling Action

The events that follow the climax and lead the story toward resolution.

Resolution

The story's conclusion, where conflicts are resolved and the ending is revealed. The ending can be happy, sad, or left open for interpretation.

Setting

refers to the time and place where a story takes place. It can influence the mood and the actions of the characters.

Character

refers to the people, animals, or beings in a story. Common types of characters include:

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

Protagonist

The main character in the story whose journey, actions, thoughts, and development the audience follows

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Conflict

refers to the struggle between opposing forces that drives the story forward. It builds tension and contributes to character development. Common types of conflict in literature include:

• Character vs. Character

• Character vs. Self

• Character vs. Society

Character vs. Character

This conflict occurs when a character struggles against another. Their opposing goals, beliefs, or actions create tension in the story.

Character vs. Self

In this internal conflict, a character struggles with personal doubts, emotions, or difficult decisions. It often highlights the character's growth or inner change.

Character vs. Society

This conflict happens when a character challenges societal norms, laws, or expectations. It often explores themes of justice, freedom, or individuality.

Point of View (POV)

refers to the lens through which the story is told. Writers can choose from different, such as:

• First Person

• Third Person Limited

• Third Person Omniscient

First Person

The story is narrated by a main character using pronouns like i, me, my, and our.
This point of view gives a personal and intimate perspective.

Third Person Limited

The narrator uses he, she, or they and focuses on the thoughts and experiences of one character.

Third Person Omniscient

The narrator knows and describes the thoughts, feelings, and actions of multiple characters.

Symbolism

uses objects, actions, or events to represent deeper meanings beyond their literal sense.

Example:

A rose represent love or romance.

Metaphor

is a direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as." It helps readers understand one concept by relating it to another.

Example:

The classroom was a zoo.

Irony

highlights a contrast between expectations and reality, often to create surprise, humor, or insight.

- Verbal and Situational

Verbal Irony

When someone says the opposite of what they mean.

Example:

Saying "Great weather!" during a thunderstorm.

Situational Irony

When the actual outcome is the opposite of what was expected.

Example:

A fire station burns down.

Imagery

uses vivid, sensory language to create strong mental pictures and appeal to the reader's five senses.

Example:

The golden sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the rippling ocean waves.

Literary Techniques

are specific methods authors use to convey meaning, enhance style, and engage the reader. These include:

1. Symbolism

2. Metaphor

3. Irony

4. Imagery

The Role of Literature or Great Books in Society

holds a powerful place in society by both reflecting and shaping the world. It acts as a mirror that reveals cultural values and historical moments, while also influencing ideas and inspiring change.

Through its stories and insights, literature connects people across time and experience and encourages empathy, critical thinking, and social progress.

Ancient literature

refers to the earliest written works created before 500 BCE. Found in civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, and Greece, these texts include epics, religious writings, myths, laws, and philosophy. Often inscribed on clay tablets or papyrus, they reveal early societies' values and shaped later literary traditions.

Oral tradition

is the practice of passing down stories, values, and knowledge through spoken words across generations. It includes storytelling, songs, proverbs, and chants, especially in societies without written language, to preserve a community's history and beliefs.

can change over time and risk being lost, because it relies on memory and performance. Today, communities help preserve it through documentation, education, and digital tools.

Example:

The myth of Persephone and Demeter in ancient Greece was shared orally before being written down. It explains the seasons and was central to the Eleusinian Mysteries, a religious ceremony honoring both goddesses.

Epics

are long narrative poems that recount the heroic journeys of legendary figures.

These well-known stories were first shared orally before being written down. They often feature many characters, use repetitive rhythms, and are easier to remember when told in verse rather than regular prose. The word comes from the Greek word epos, meaning both "story" and "poem."

Example:

The Iliad by Homer tells the story of the Trojan War and the heroic deeds of Achilles.

Key Themes in Ancient Literature

• Heroism and Moral Values

• Fate and Divine Will

• The Human Condition and Mortality

Heroism and Moral Values

Ancient texts feature heroic figures whose actions reflect cultural ideals such as courage, honor, and loyalty. Their choices reveal personal and societal values.

Fate and Divine Will

Many works explore how fate and the will of gods or supernatural forces often shape human lives, emphasizing divine control or influence over events.

The Human Condition and Mortality

These texts reflect on the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the desire for legacy or immortality, as in The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Iliad

is an ancient Greek epic poem by Homer, known for its poetic style and storytelling techniques.

Instead of starting at the beginning of the Trojan War, Homer begins the poem in the middle of the action, a technique called in media res. He uses flashbacks, prophecies, and subplots to add depth and suspense.

Originally shared through oral tradition, the poem was meant to reflect the values, beliefs, and ideals of ancient Greek society.

Achilles

The Greeks' greatest warrior, known for his strength and pride

Agamemnon

Leader of the Greek army who causes conflict with Achilles

Paris

Prince of Troy, who took Helen and started the war, brother of Hector

Helen

Wife of Menelaus, whose abduction led to the war

Menelaus

King of Sparta and husband of Helen

Hector

Trojan prince, brave warrior, and brother of Paris

Patroclus

Achilles' loyal friend, whose death brings him back to battle

Priam

King of Troy and father of Hector and Paris

Briseis

A Trojan woman taken by Achilles, later claimed by Agamemnon, which sparks Achilles' anger and withdrawal from battle

Setting | Iliad

The Iliad is set around Troy, an ancient city near the coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Türkiye) during the final weeks of the Trojan War, specifically in the Greek camp, the battlefield, and inside the walls of Troy.

Honor and Glory

Warriors in The Iliad fight not just to win, but to earn a lasting fame. For instance, Achilles chooses a short life with glory over a long, quiet one.

Anger and Revenge

Achilles' rage drives much of the story, especially after Patroclus is killed.
It leads to violence, but also to moments of reflection and change.

Fate and the Gods

The characters believe they cannot escape their destiny, no matter what they do. The gods constantly interfere, helping or hurting both sides in the war.

Compassion and Humanity

In the middle of war, The Iliad shows moments of deep emotion. Achilles and Priam's meeting shows that even enemies can share grief and forgiveness.

Achilles vs. Agamemnon

They argue over honor and respect, which causes Achilles to stop fighting.

Achilles vs. Hector

A key battle where Achilles seeks revenge for his friend's death.

Achilles | Character vs. Self

deals with pride, grief, and the choice between living a long life or dying young with glory.

Priam | Character vs. Self

deals with overcoming fear and pride to ask his enemy for Hector's body.

Achilles | Character vs. Society

rejects the Greek army's leadership and refuses to fight, which goes against social and military expectations.

Third-person omniscient narration

The Iliad uses this narration. It gives insight into the thoughts, emotions, and motivations of both Greek and Trojan characters, while also incorporating the will of the gods.

Important Passages

• "Sing, O Goddess, the anger of Achilles."

• "Victory passes back and forth between men."

• "Among all creatures that breathe on Earth and crawl on it, there is not anywhere a thing more dismal than man is."