21ST CL 2Q 1 World lit

2nd Quarter Overview

  • World Literature Finals

    • Literary Genres, Traditions, and Forms from various national literature and cultures

    • Basic Textual and Contextual Reading Approaches for literature appreciation

Defining World Literature

Topics Covered

  1. Defining World Literature

  2. Literature Periods

Literature Definitions

Key Contributors

  • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Coined "Weltliteratur" and emphasized a shift from national literature to a global perspective.

  • Matthew Arnold: Defined literature as a reflective and moralizing art form addressing human civilization issues.

  • David Damrosch: Defined World Literature as a reading mode, focusing on engagement with diverse cultural contexts.

Summary of Definitions

  1. Literature as a canon of great works

  2. Artistic expression

  3. Reflection of reality

  4. Repository of moral lessons

Literature Approaches

Perspectives in Literature

  1. Relation between text and artist

  2. Relation between text and world

  3. Relation between text and audience

World Literature Features

  • Literary production worldwide

  • Inclusion of the "best" literature

Discussion Questions

  1. Is World Literature a window to the world?

  2. How do writers immortalize human experiences?

Synthesis of World Literature

  • Represents humanity’s self-expression and diversity.

  • Varies by era, region, and cultural prestige.

  • Features include classics, masterpieces, and insights into various worlds.

Literary Periods Overview

  • Classical (1200 BCE - 455 CE)

  • Medieval (455 CE - 1485 CE)

  • Renaissance and Reformation (1485 - 1660 CE)

  • Enlightenment (1660 - 1790 CE)

  • Romantic (1790 - 1830 CE)

  • Victorian (1832 - 1901 CE)

  • Modern (1914 - 1945 CE)

  • Postmodern (1945 onward)

Key Features of Literary Periods

Classical Period

  • Homeric (1200-800 BCE): Oral traditions and legends.

  • Greek (800-200 BCE): Notable figures include Plato, Aristotle, and Sophocles.

  • Roman (200 BCE - 455 CE): Adaptation of Greek traditions with figures like Virgil.

Medieval Period

  • Old English: Beowulf and early poems.

  • Late Medieval: Rise of Geoffrey Chaucer.

Renaissance and Reformation

  • Significant literary movements during Tudor and Elizabethan periods.

Enlightenment

  • Emphasis on logic and reason.

Romantic Period

  • Focus on nature and individuality, especially in England and America.

Victorian Period

  • Structural shifts and emerging literary movements.

Modern Period

  • Disillusionment and experimentation in style.

  • Rise of the Harlem Renaissance.

Postmodern Period

  • Emergence of new literary forms and perspectives.

  • Relativism in truth and interpretation.