STUDY OF LITERATURE
The word literature is derived from the latin term LITERA which means LETTER
Brother Azurin, said that “literature expresses the feelings of people to society, to the government, to his surroundings, to his fellowmen and to his Divine Creator.” The expression of one’s feelings, according to him, may be through love, sorrow, happiness, hatred, anger, pity, contempt, or revenge.
For Webster, literature is anything that is printed, as long as it is related to the ideas and feelings of people, whether it is true, or just a product of one’s imagination.
In PANITIKANG PILIPINO written by Atienza, Ramos, Salazar and Nazal, it says that “true literature is a piece of written work which is undying. It expresses the feelings and emotions of people in response to his everyday efforts to live, to be happy n his environment and, after struggles, to reach his Creator.”
Why we need to study Philippine Literature?
To trace our rich heritage of ideas and handed down to us from our forefathers
For appreciation of our heritage.
To understand that we have noble traditions which can serve as the means to assimilate other cultures.
LITERATURE AND HISTORY
Literature and history are closely interrelated.
In discovering history of a race, a country, we basically understand their own culture and traditions, hence the written customs and traditions of a country, the dreams and aspirations of its people is called Literature.
History can also be written down and this too, is literature. History therefore is an integral part of literature.
Literary Compositions that Influenced the World
The Bible or the Sacred Writings- this has become the basis of Christianity originating from Palestine and Greece.
Koran- The Muslim Bible originating from Arabia.
The Iliad and Odyssey- these have been the source of myths and legends of Greece. They were written by Homer.
The Mahabharata- the longest epic of the world. It contains the history of religion of India.
Canterbury Tales- it depicts the religion and customs of the English in the early days. This originated from England and written by Chaucer.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin - by Harriet Beecher Stowe of the US. This depicted the sad fate of slaves, this became the basis of democracy later on.
The Divine Comedy- by Dante Alighieri is a long Italian narrative poem. It has three parts, each of which is concerned with one of the three divisions of the world beyond: the Inferno (hell), the Purgatorio (purgatory) and the Paradiso (heaven).
El Cid Compeador- this shows the cultural characteristics of the Spaniards and the national history.
The Song of Roland- this includes Doce Pares and Ronscesvalles of France. It tells about the Golden Age of Christianity of France.
The Book of the Dead- this includes the cult of Osiris and the mythology and theology of Egypt.
One Thousand and One Nights or the Arabian Nights- from Arabia and Persia (Iran). It shows the ways of government of industries and of the society of the Arabs.
Division of Literature
FICTION-it portrays imaginary people caught in imaginary situations.
-it is usually read for pleasure
-intended to expand and refine our life
-quicken our senses
NON-FICTION-gives actual facts and information
-it is not invented or make up
Types of Literature
Prose- is a discourse which uses sentences and paragraphs to express ideas, feelings and actions.
Poetry- refers to writings in verse, with rhythm and rhyme and characterized by melodious tone.
PROSE
Novel- long narrative prose divided into chapters.
Short story- it focuses on a single main incident and is usually read in one setting.
Plays- also called drama, it is written to be performed on stage.
Legends- it talks about origins.
Fables- the characters are animals with human attributes
Anecdotes- it is an interesting, amusing incident generally characterized by human interest.
Essay- a critical literary composition about a topic or subject from a limited often personal point of view.
Biography- records the facts and events of a person’s life that is written by another person.
News- an account of everyday events in society, government, science or industry.
Oration- a formal treatment of a subject and is intended for the delivery in public.
POETRY
Narrative poetry- describes important events in life either real or imaginary.
EPIC-this is an extended narrative about heroic exploits often under supernatural control.
Example: Biag ni Lam-ang
METRICAL TALE- this is narrative which is written in verse and can be classified either as a ballad or a metrical romance.
Example: Florante at Laura
BALLADS- of the narrative poems, this is considered the shortest and simplest. It has a simple structure and tells of a single incident. There are also variations of these: love ballads, war ballads, sea ballads, humerous, moral, historical or mythical ballads. In early times, this referred to a song accompanying a dance.
Lyric Poetry- kind of poetry meant to be sung to the accompaniment of a lyre. This applies to any type of poetry that expresses emotions and feelings of the poet.
Folksongs (Awiting Bayan)- these are short poems intended to be sung. The common theme is love, despair, grief, doubt, joy, hope and sorrow.
Example: Chit-chirit-chit
Sonnets- this is lyric poem of 14 lines dealing with an emotion, a feeling or an idea. These are two types: Italian and Shakespearean.
Example: Santang Buds by Alfonso P. Santos
Elegy- this is a lyric poem which expresses feelings of grief and melancholy and whose theme is death.
Example: The Lover’s Death by Ricaredo Demetillo
Ode- this is a poem of a noble feeling, expressed with dignity, with no definite number of syllables or definite number of lines in a stanza.
Psalms (Dalit)- this is a song praising God or the Virgin Mary and containing a philosophy of life.
Awit (Song)- these have measures of twelve syllables (dodecasyllabic) and slowly sung to the accompaniment of a guitar or banduria.
Corridos (Kuridos)- these have measures of eight syllables (octosyllabic) and recited to a martial beat.
Example: Ibong Adarna
Dramatic Poetry- it is meant to be performed on stage
Comedy- comes from the Greek term “Komos” means festivity or revelry. This form usually is light and written with the purpose of amusing and usually has a happy ending.
Melodrama- this is usually used in musical plays with the opera. It arouses immediate and intense emotion and is usually sad but there is a happy ending for the principal character.
Tragedy- this involves the hero struggling mightily against dynamic forces, he meets death and ruin without success and satisfaction obtained by the protagonist in a comedy.
Farce- this is an exaggerated comedy.
It seeks to arouse mirth by laughable lines
Situation are too ridiculous to be true
The characters seem to be caricatures and the motives undignified and absurd.\Social poems- this form is either purely comic or tragic and it pictures the life of today.
Social Reforms- It aim to bring about changes in the social conditions.
Studying literature is important for several reasons:
Cultural Understanding: Literature provides insights into different cultures, traditions, and historical periods, helping us understand diverse perspectives.
Critical Thinking: Analyzing literature enhances critical thinking skills by encouraging interpretation, evaluation, and forming logical arguments.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Literature allows us to explore complex human emotions and experiences, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence.
Language and Communication: Studying literature improves language skills, vocabulary, and communication abilities, enhancing written and verbal expression.
Personal Development: Literature offers opportunities for self-reflection, personal growth, and understanding of the human condition.
Historical Context: Literary works often reflect the social, political, and historical contexts in which they were written, providing valuable insights into different time periods.
Overall, studying literature enriches our lives, broadens our perspectives, and nurtures our intellectual and emotional development.
Literature refers to written works, including novels, plays, poems, and essays, that are considered to have artistic or intellectual value. It encompasses a wide range of genres and styles, reflecting various aspects of human experience, emotions, and ideas. Literature often explores themes such as love, loss, identity, society, and the human condition. It serves as a means of communication, expression, and storytelling, allowing readers to engage with different narratives, characters, and perspectives. Literature plays a significant role in shaping culture, preserving historical records, and fostering intellectual and emotional growth.
Literature and history are distinct disciplines, each with its own focus and methods:
Literature:
Focuses on written works, such as novels, poems, and plays.
Explores themes, characters, and literary techniques.
Analyzes the artistic and aesthetic aspects of the text.
Interprets and evaluates the author's intentions and messages.
History:
Examines past events, societies, and individuals.
Relies on primary and secondary sources, including documents and artifacts.
Seeks to understand causes, consequences, and patterns of human actions.
Analyzes social, political, economic, and cultural contexts.
While literature emphasizes artistic expression and subjective interpretation, history aims to provide an objective account of the past based on evidence. Both disciplines contribute to our understanding of human experiences and offer unique perspectives.