Work-Work (2025)

Introduction to Literary Studies

• Word-work: Described as sublime by Toni Morrison; generative and creates meaning, highlighting humanity's uniqueness.

• Key Questions:

  • What is literature?

  • What does literature do and why is it important?

  • Difference between 'English literature' and 'literature in English'.

  • Concepts of living vs. dead language.

  • Approaches to engaging with different literary forms (poems, stories, plays).

Key Readings

• Craig Raine: "A Martian Sends a Postcard Home" (1979).

• Teju Cole: "In Place of Thought" (2013).

• George Orwell: "Politics and the English Language" (1946).

• Toni Morrison: Nobel lecture (1993) available online.

Further Readings

• Friedrich Nietzsche: "On Truth and Lie in an Extra-Moral Sense" (1873).

• Viktor Shklovsky: "Art as Technique" (1917).

• Italo Calvino: "Why Read the Classics?" (1986).

• Binyavanga Wainaina: "How to Write About Africa" (2005) - available online.

Important Concepts in Literature

• Interpretation and Text: Exploration of literal and figurative language; avoidance of stereotypes and clichés.

• Estrangement and Defamiliarization: Examining ambiguity in texts to challenge readers' perceptions.

Languages in South Africa

Speaker Population Counts

• Zulu: 11,587,374 (22.7%)

• Xhosa: 8,154,258 (16.0%)

• Afrikaans: 6,855,082 (13.5%)

• English: 4,892,623 (9.6%)

• Northern Sotho: 4,618,576 (9.1%)

• Tswana: 4,067,248 (8.0%)

• Sotho: 3,849,563 (7.6%)

• Tsonga: 2,277,148 (4.5%)

• Swati: 1,297,046 (2.5%)

• Venda: 1,209,388 (2.4%)

• Ndebele: 1,090,223 (2.1%)

• Sign language: 234,655 (0.5%)

• Other languages: 828,258 (1.6%)

• Total: 50,961,443 (100.0%)

Reading and Analysis of Poetry

Steps to Approach a Poem

1. Consider what the poem is about (surface meaning).

2. Analyze potential deeper meanings and interpretations (critical analysis).

3. Use evidence from the text to support viewpoints (close reading, quoting).

Notable Literary Texts and Their Analyses

"A Martian Sends a Postcard Home"

• Imagery of mechanical birds, the concept of time and space, and human perception illustrated through unique metaphors.

Literary Interpretation Process

1. Summary/Description: What is the literal meaning? Who is the speaker? What is the situation?

2. Interpretation/Critical Analysis: Explore deeper meanings; avoid absolute categories.

3. Close Reading/Evidence: Identify intriguing lines or images and connect them to interpretations.

Key Arguments in Literature

Internal vs. External Arguments

• Internal Argument: Literature relates to poetry as a special language form needing close reading (Coleridge).

• External Argument: Literature's classification is subjective, derived from cultural contexts and social values (John Carey).

Toni Morrison's Perspective

• Emphasizes the power of language as a tool for generative meaning.

• Discusses literature that challenges interrogative and critical norms.

Examples of Cliché in Contemporary Writing

• George Orwell: Critiques convoluted language in modern writing, emphasizing clarity and precision.

• Teju Cole and Binyavanga Wainaina: Provide examples and discussions on the usage and pitfalls of clichés in literary and journalistic narratives.

Conclusion

• Literature acts as a reflection and critique of society, forcing readers to reconsider preconceived notions.

• Language, be it living or dead, plays an essential role in forming our understanding and interaction with the world.