Literature derives from the Latin word litera, meaning letter; it allows the writer to express themselves and reflects the culture of the country.
Written works combine artistry and intellectuality, presenting morality.
PROSE: written in paragraph form, spoken in an ordinary way, without metrical structure.
DRAMA: narrative through dialogue and action, performed by actors; already presented.
POETRY: oldest form of literature, flourished orally; art of expression of one's thoughts.
Haiku: 3 lines only, historically due to paper costs in Japan.
Two Major Genres of Poetry
Lyric Poetry: short poem with song-like rhythm that expresses personal feelings. Eg: lines expressing sadness and longing
Example excerpt (paraphrased):
"I feel a sense of sadness … How I wish all I would do is lay … A heavy feeling of loneliness … I wanna go to somewhere far away"
Narrative Poetry: tells a story
Narrative Poetry: Elements
Characters: roles within a story
Protagonist: major character, bound to complete a quest; story revolves around them
Antagonist: appears villainous, creates conflict, opposes the protagonist
Confidante: supports the protagonist; can be a family member or friend
Foil: opposite of the protagonist to emphasize their traits (e.g., nerd vs. dumb)
Stock: exists without significant character development or significance
Characterization: how characters are presented
Direct characterization: directly describes traits (e.g., "she was a kind person who helped everyone")
Indirect characterization: reveals personality through actions, thoughts, appearance, etc. (e.g., donating to those in need shows kindness)
Conflict: the challenges characters face
Character vs. self: internal struggles, identity, feelings
Character vs. society: conflict with social norms
Character vs. character: conflict with another character
Character vs. nature: conflict with natural forces
Plot and Narrative Structures
Plot: sequence of events
Linear plot: chronological order
Flashback plot: interruptions to revisit past events
Parallel plot: two or more storylines (different points of view in one frame)
Symbolism and imagery: use of symbols with deeper meanings
Point of View: perspective from which the story is told; can be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person
China: Land of the Dragon (Cultural Symbols in Literature)
Dragon: symbolizes good luck, prosperity, and strength
Calligraphy: originated in China; a visual art; mastering it is a hallmark
Great Wall of China: about 21km long and purely man-made; symbolized their power
Chinese zodiac: 12 animals
The color red: symbolizes happiness and good fortune
Chopsticks: used for 3000 years
Fireworks: used to drive away bad spirits
Confucianism: philosophical system
Patterns in Poetry
Recurring structures: rhyme schemes, rhythms, forms
Contribute to poem organization; create sense of order or intentional variation
Rhyme and Meter
Rhyme: repetition of sounds at the end of lines
Meter: rhythmic pattern in a line, created by stressed and unstressed syllables
Example rhyme pairing: Tears & Fears (end with -ears); Repressed & Confessed (end with -essed) → Rhyme scheme: A A B B (example given as AABB)
Anapestic tetrameter: a foot with two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable; four feet in the line (example line: "But the man of my heart is not here and I mourn" demonstrates the metrical pattern)
To describe meter per line, count the number of syllables per unit (feet)
Meter and Feet
A line’s meter is described by the number of feet it contains:
1 foot → monometer
2 feet → dimeter
3 feet → trimeter
4 feet → tetrameter
5 feet → pentameter
6 feet → hexameter
7 feet → heptameter
8 feet → octameter
Common metrical feet:
Iambic: unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable
Trochaic: stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable
Spondaic: two consecutive stressed syllables
Anapestic: two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable
(Note on emphasis: not only through rhyme and meter; can be conveyed via motifs)
Diction, Tone, Mood, and Style
Diction: poet’s word choice and arrangement; affects formality, connotations, reader impact; influences tone, mood, and meaning
Tone: poet’s attitude toward subject or audience
Mood: emotions the poem evokes in the reader; created via imagery, diction, tone
Style: the poet’s distinct way of expressing thoughts and ideas; can be unique, complex, or simple; shapes reception and understanding
Motifs: recurring ideas, symbols, or themes used to reinforce central messages; add depth and consistency
Figurative language (common devices):
1) Simile
2) Metaphor
3) Personification
4) Apostrophe
5) Alliteration
6) Hyperbole
7) Euphemism
8) Antithesis
Point of View and Narrative Techniques
Point of View: the perspective of the speaker or narrator (first-person, second-person, third-person)
Narrative Techniques: methods used to tell a story or convey a message
Imagery, symbolism, dialogue
Organic Unity: cohesion and harmony of a poem’s elements; all parts work together to support the overall theme
Organic unity implies that every component (rhyme, meter, diction, tone, style, figurative language) contributes to the poem’s overall effect and meaning
Literary Reading Lenses
Biographical Context (personal): life, experiences, beliefs, and history of the author
Ryonosuke Akutagawa (1892–1927): prominent Japanese short-story writer, often called the “Father of the Japanese Short Story”; wrote to blend Western and Japanese cultures; faced mental health struggles; produced over 150 short stories exploring human struggles
Historical Context (period): how the era influenced the work
In a Grove (set in the Taisho era, Japan, c. 1922) during rapid modernization and Western influence; society becoming more democratic; time of social/cultural change
Sociocultural Context: how social and cultural factors influence a work
In a Grove is set in feudal Japan with strict hierarchies and codes of honor; themes of duty, loyalty, reputation; testimonies by witnesses reveal social expectations and individual motives; explores gender roles and power dynamics
In a Grove: Context and Themes
Publication and setting: first appeared in 1922, during Taisho era’s modernization and Western influence
Core focus: a complex murder case of a samurai; reveals tensions between traditional values and modern life; reflects time's uncertainty and instability
Themes: gender roles, power dynamics, duty, loyalty, reputation, social norms vs individual motives
Author’s Purpose and How to Analyze a Story
Theme: the message the author wants to convey
Steps to analyze:
1) Know the traits of the characters
2) Determine the conflict and struggles
3) Learn how the conflict was solved
4) Make a general statement that summarizes the event
Purposes of writing:
Inform: teach and explain topics, provide information
Persuade: convince readers to adopt the author’s stance; often uses persuasive techniques; may invoke "SHOULD"
Entertain: stimulate emotions and amuse with story, plot, characters
Express: share the writer’s personal thoughts and opinions
Additional Notes on Style and Expression
Expression through a writer’s voice, tone, and choice of topic; the notes above reflect the content of the transcript and provide a structured outline suitable for study and exam preparation.