Literature: Definition, Nature, and Function

What is LITERATURE?
In the attempt to define the term ‘literature’, one can distinguish between two
general directions: a broad and a narrow definition. The broad definition
incorporates everything that has been written down in some form or another,
i.e., all the written manifestations of a culture (hence, there are terms such as
‘research literature’, ‘the literature on civil rights’, etc.).
Needless to say that such a broad definition is problematic as it does not
really facilitate communication about the topic. Furthermore, this concept
neglects the fact that in many cultures in the past and for a number of
indigenous peoples today, literature has not been captured in written media
but has been passed down in a long oral tradition of storytelling, myths, ritual
speeches, etc.

Attempts to come up with a narrow definition have, however, led to such a

diversity of approaches that one can hardly talk about ‘the’ narrow definition.
Nevertheless, it is possible to sift out some of the criteria scholars have
applied in order to demarcate ‘literary texts’ from ‘non-literary texts’.

These criteria include:

• fictionality – product of imagination
• specialized language – differs considerably from normal everyday language
• lack of pragmatic function – not have been intended by the author for any
specific purpose
• ambiguity – open to interpretation
What is LITERATURE?
It is an enduring expression of a significant human experience in words well-
chosen and arranged.
enduring – lasting, not ephemeral
expression – sharing; a manifestation
significant – important, necessary, meaningful
human – people; different human conditions
experience – heart of literature
words well-chosen and arranged
It comes from a Latin word “litera” which means an acquaintance with
letters.
Literature can be defined as everything in print.

It is a body of literary productions, either oral, written or visual, containing

imaginative language that realistically portrays thoughts, emotions, and
experience of the human condition.

Some loosely interpret literature as a faithful reproduction of man’s manifold

experiences blended into one harmonious expression.
Because literature deals with ideas, thoughts and emotions of man, literature
can be said to be the story of man. Man’s loves, grief, thoughts, dreams and
aspirations coached in beautiful language is literature.

Literature is a product of a particular culture that concretizes man’s array of

values, emotions, actions, and ideas.

The Nature of Literature

Literature is language in use that provides insights and intellectual
stimulation to the reader. As one explores literature, he likewise discovers the
beauty of language.
The language that is used by literature differs from ordinary spoken or
written language.

Literature uses special words, structure, and characteristics. Primarily the

language of literature differs from ordinary language in three ways:

language is concentrated and meaningful;

its purpose is not simply to explain, argue, or make a point but rather to give
a sense of pleasure in the discovery of a new experience; and
it demands intense concentration from the readers.
It indicates that the language of literature has originality, quality, creativity,
and pleasure.

The Functions of Literature

Dulce and Utile
 Dulce – to entertain; to give pleasure and enjoyment
Utile – to instruct
4Rs of Literature
Recreation – Literature is a means of reassembling reality. We want to see
what we cannot see in reality.
Recognition – Literature helps us recognize the people and their contribution.
Redemption – Literature is a means of modification of behavior.
Revelation – Literature is a means of recording history. It reveals the past, the
present, and the future.
All the above definitions describe literature from different perspectives. Still,
there are certain things that are common to them. They all recognize the fact
that:
i. Literature is imaginative
ii. Literature expresses thoughts and feelings
iii. Literature deals with life experiences
iv. Literature uses words in a powerful, effective and yet captivating manner
vi. Literature promotes recreation and revelation of hidden facts.

Literature is thus summed up as permanent expressions in words

(written or spoken), specially arranged in pleasing accepted patterns or
forms. Literature expresses thoughts, feelings, ideas or other special
aspects of human experiences.

Philippine Poetry: Its Form, Language

and Speech
Poetry in the Philippines is not different from its other counterparts around
the world. In the early 1900s, Filipino poetry celebrated romanticism, and
several poems about love flourished.

Eventually, as the years went on, poetry became more formalist – the
emphasis of the poetry is more on the form and language that the poet used,
rather than the theme itself. Then, modern poetry sprouted, and nowadays,
writers are more adventurous in their craft.
Elements of poetry used by local writers in their poems

 Senses
 Imagery
 Diction
 Rhyme Scheme
 Idea of a speaker
 Structure
 Word order
Senses and images
These are used by the writers to describe their impressions of their topic or
object of writing.

The writer uses carefully chosen and phrased words to create an imagery that
the reader can see through his or her own senses.

The kind of sense impressions in poetry are categorized in mainly the

following:

 Visual imagery
 Olfactory imagery
 Gustatory imagery
 Tactile imagery
 Auditory imagery
Diction
The denotative and connotative meaning of the words in a sentence, phrase,
paragraph, or poem.

Rhyme scheme
The way the author arranges words, meters, lines, and stanzas to create a
coherent sound when the poem is read out loud.

It may be formal or informal, depending on the way the poem was written by
the poet.
Idea of a Speaker
The speaker in the poem is the voice that talks to the reader.

Sometimes, it refers to itself as “I” or “me” or, sometimes in the third person
(she, he, his, her).

You should also note that the speaker is not necessarily the poet. The poet
may have a different persona in mind while writing the poem and may not
have taken the situations in the poem from his or her life experiences.

Structure
The arrangement of words and lines, either together or apart.

Also refers to the way the interdependent parts of it are organized to form a
whole poem.

Word Order
The natural or unnatural arrangement of words in a poem.

A poet may use a word grammatically or not – often called as poetic

license – and may invent words, too.

Source: DIWA Senior High School Series: 21st Century Literature from the
Philippines and the World

Summary of the Philippine Literary Periods

Precolonial Period
 characterized mainly by oral tradition
 crude on ideology and phraseology
 literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life
 self – expression
Spanish Period
 literature is classified as religious and secular
 liberal ideas and internationalism influenced Filipinos minds in understanding “liberty and
freedom”
American Period
 firm establishment of English as the medium of instruction in all schools
 active arousal in the field of literature started to be felt in the following newspapers
 Filipino writers went into all forms of literature like news, reporting, poetry, stories, plays,
essays, and novels
 writings clearly depicted their love of country and their longings for independence.
Japanese Period
 Philippine literature in English came to a halt – writers in English turned to writing in
Filipino
 Filipino literature was given a break during this period
 topics and themes were often about life in the provinces
Postwar Period
Before The Declaration Of Martial Law
 Philippine writing in vernacular became popular
1946-1960
 The writers had a better knowledge of their craft and enjoyed political activism
1970 – 1972 (Rise of Nationalism and Students Activism)
 Nationalism was emphasized by young and aspiring writers.
 Revolutionary form of literature attacked the ills of the society
1970 – 1972 (Period of New Society)
 Provided a venue in reviving traditional drama and in creating original plays.
1981 – 1985 (3rd Republic)
 Continues to reflect on social, political realities.
Contemporary Period
 Filipino writer has become more conscious of his art with the proliferation of writers
workshops here and abroad and the bulk of literature available to him via the mass media
including the internet