Literature Study Notes

Introduction to Literature

  • The course consists of two parts:
    • Part 1: What is Literature?
    • Part 2: Major Literary Genres

Lesson Objectives

  • Define literature and explain its importance in the human experience.
  • Differentiate the major genres of Philippine literature in the 21st century.
  • Discuss and use various literary techniques in creating and analyzing creative works of literature.
  • At the end of this lesson, the students are expected to:
    • Have a comprehensive understanding of literature and its genres.

What is Literature?

  • Definition:
    • The word "Litera" comes from Latin meaning "letter".
    • It refers to the use of letters or writing.
    • A piece of printed work connected to the thoughts and expressions of the people.
  • Literature represents a language or people:
    • It embodies culture and tradition.
    • Introduces readers to new worlds of experience.
    • Provides entertainment.
    • Aids personal growth and evolution.

Misconceptions about Literature

  • Literature has hidden meanings; it is actually accessible to anyone who can read.
  • There is often a belief in a "single meaning"; however,
    • There is NO single correct way to interpret a good piece of literature.

Literary Genre

  • Definition:
    • Refers to the categories of literary compositions, determined by literary technique, tone, content, and length.
    • Conforms to the manner, forms, and styles employed by writers in their literary works.

Major Literary Genres

  • Forms of Literature:
    • POETRY
    • PROSE
      • Fiction
      • Nonfiction
    • DRAMA

Poetry

  • Characteristics:
    • Poetry is the most compact form of literature, written in verses that form stanzas.
    • Consists of a language with strong musical quality, includes measures, rhymes, sound patterns, and tone.
    • Different classes of poetry are meant to be recited to reveal sound patterns.

Three Types of Poetry

  1. Lyric Poetry
    • Poems intended to be sung with musical accompaniment.
    • Expresses the poet’s or persona's feelings and emotions.
    • Characteristics: Short, simple, and easy to understand.
    • Examples: Ode, Elegy, Song.
  2. Narrative Poetry
    • Poems that tell a story, historically beginning as oral traditions.
    • Includes:
      • Epic: Tells stories about life, quests, and adventures of a supernatural hero.
      • Ballad: Simplest and shortest form; verses suggest significant events meant to be sung.
      • Examples: The Ramayana (epic from Hindu tradition).
  3. Dramatic Poetry
    • Usually performed on stage, can be sung or spoken.
    • Example: William Shakespeare’s "Julius Caesar".

Elements of Poetry

  • Sense:
    • Revealed through words, images, and symbols.
    • Diction: Refers to the denotative and connotative meanings in poetry.
    • Images and Sense Impressions: The choice of words used to create sensory imagery.
  • Sound:
    • Creative use of words to imitate sounds.
    • Rhyme: The repetition of similar or identical sounds at the end of poetic lines.
    • Rhyme Scheme: Pattern of rhymes placed at the end of each line or stanza.
    • Rhythm: Alternation of strong and weak elements in the flow of sound; pattern of beats or stresses in a line.
    • Foot: Unit of rhythm made up of stressed (strong) and unstressed (soft) syllables.
    • Meter: Measurement of syllables in a line with a basic rhythmic structure (sum of syllables + pattern of emphasis).

Types of Foot and Meter

  • Types of Foot:
    • Iambic: 1 unstressed syllable + 1 stressed syllable (e.g., complete - com-PLETE).
    • Trochaic: 1 stressed syllable + 1 unstressed syllable (e.g., garland - GAR-land).
    • Anapestic: 2 unstressed syllables + 1 stressed syllable (e.g., interrupt - in-ter-RUPT).
    • Dactylic: 1 stressed syllable + 2 unstressed syllables (e.g., happiness - HAP-pi-ness).
    • Spondaic: All syllables have equal stress.
  • Types of Meter:
    • Monometer: 1 foot
    • Dimeter: 2 feet
    • Trimeter: 3 feet
    • Tetrameter: 4 feet
    • Pentameter: 5 feet
    • Hexameter: 6 feet
    • Heptameter: 7 feet
    • Octameter: 8 feet

Structure of Poetry

  • Structure:
    • Arrangement of words and lines; organization of parts from the whole.
    • Word Order: Natural arrangement of words in each verse.
    • Punctuation: The use of punctuation marks to indicate emotions clearly.
    • Shape: The poet's choice in designing the visual form of the poem, including capitalization and the omission of spaces.

Tone and Voice in Poetry

  • Tone:
    • The poet's or speaker's attitude toward the subject, reader, or themselves.
  • Voice:
    • The speaking persona in poetry, not identified as specific characters.

Prose

  • Definition:
    • Any writing that does not have a metrical structure or rhythmical pattern like poetry.
    • Composed of sentences and paragraphs instead of lines and stanzas.
    • Divided into two categories: fiction and nonfiction.

Fiction

  • Definition:
    • A story created by an author; events are not real but can reflect themes and conflicts relevant to real life.
    • Examples: Short stories and novels.

Types of Fiction

  • Chick Lit:
    • Addresses issues of modern womanhood humorously, popular since the late 1990s.
    • Examples:
      • Bridget Jones’s Diary (Helen Fielding, 1996) - first-person diary voice focusing on dating and self-image.
      • Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella, 2000) - comedic treatment of consumption and identity.
      • The Devil Wears Prada (Lauren Weisberger, 2003) - career vs. self theme in a female workplace.
      • The Princess Diaries (Meg Cabot, 2000) - YA example of coming-of-age in diary format.
  • Flash Fiction:
    • Style featuring extreme brevity; definitions vary, but typically stories are under 1,000 words with some markets allowing under 300 words.
  • Speculative Fiction:
    • An umbrella term for imaginative works asking "What if?"; exploring different worlds and realities such as science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian.
  • Novels:
    • Longer and more complex narratives usually divided into chapters with detailed characters and themes.
  • Short Stories:
    • Read in one sitting, focusing on a single plot for impact.

Elements of Short Stories

  1. Setting: The time, place, and conditions in which the story occurs.
  2. Characters: The individuals, animals, or objects involved in the narrative.
    • Distinction between Protagonist and Antagonist.
  3. Plot: The sequence of events in the story arranged in a climactic format, typically structured as follows:
    • Exposition
    • Rising Action
    • Climax
    • Falling Action
    • Denouement
      • Note: Some stories may follow a nonlinear format.
  4. Conflict: The challenges faced by the characters, categorized as:
    • Man vs. Man
    • Man vs. Himself
    • Man vs. Nature
    • Man vs. Society
    • Man vs. Technology
  5. Point of View (POV): The perspective through which the story is narrated.
    • Omniscient: Author provides access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters.
    • First Person: The narrator is a character within the story.
    • Third Person Limited: A single character’s perspective is used by the narrator.
  6. Mood: The atmosphere and emotional setting of the story.
  7. Theme: The central idea conveying truths about human experience, reflecting the author’s purpose.
  8. Symbols: Images and objects that represent concepts beyond their literal meaning.

Nonfiction

  • Definition:
    • Expository writing focused on facts and reality, aiming to explain theories and points of view.
    • Employs literary styles to narrate factual accounts.
    • Differentiates from other nonfiction forms like journalism.

Types of Nonfiction

  • Autobiography:
    • Story of a person’s life written from their perspective, typically covering an extensive period, also includes journals and diaries.
  • Biography:
    • The account of a person’s life narrated by another person, focusing on individual truths without generalization.
  • Essay:
    • Focused writing on a single topic for purposes of informing, describing, entertaining, or persuading; can be formal or informal.

Drama

  • Definition:
    • Stories written in verse or prose for performance on stage.
    • Authors who write dramas are referred to as dramatists or playwrights.

Elements of Drama

  • Similar to fiction but written in script format, which includes dialogues and stage directions.
  • Divided into acts and scenes rather than chapters.

Types of Drama

  • Tragedy:
    • Central character possesses a tragic flaw, becoming a tragic hero whose hubris leads to downfall.
  • Comedy:
    • Aims to entertain and amuse, often set in unusual contexts with witty dialogue.
  • Tragicomedy:
    • Blends aspects of tragedy and comedy, often suggesting a happy ending amid misfortunate events.
  • Farce:
    • Nonsensical plays with slapstick humor characterized by absurdity.
  • Melodrama:
    • Features exaggerated emotional responses from characters.

Elements of Drama Detailed

  1. Dialogue:
    • Characters' speech is crucial for understanding the story.
  2. Monologue:
    • A lengthy speech from one character directed at others on stage.
  3. Soliloquy:
    • Character speaks alone on stage, often revealing thoughts to the audience.
  4. Aside:
    • A remark intended only for the audience, unheard by others on stage.
  5. Plot:
    • Arranged events consisting of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement.
  6. Characters:
    • Actors that drive the narrative and create conflict.
  7. Setting:
    • The time and place of the drama with arranged stage conditions.
  8. Gestures:
    • Physical movements that enhance the storytelling.
  9. Music:
    • Enhances mood and dramatic effect.
  10. Theme:
    • The underlying message or idea conveyed by the play.