Introduction to Literature

Definition

> the collected oral and written works of a society that depict the people's beliefs, values, mores, and aspirations, as well as their struggles in life

Literature... - existed before printing presses were invented - was part of the ancient people's way of life - started in oral traditions - were handed down from one generation to ano by word of mouth - has gone beyond its oral nature nowadays - is also called by literary critics as orature

Literary Genres > Five Basic Literary Forms or Genres: - Novel - Short Story - Play or Drama - Essay - Poetry

Classified under two general types:

- Poetry - Prose

Prose - refers to literary works in the form of sentences and p Two kinds of prose literature: 1. Fiction 2. Non- fiction Poetry - refers to those literary works in the form of lines and s

Prose > Fiction - refers to prose narratives containing setting, characters, plot, conflict, climax and resolu - based on the writer's creative imagination - Fiction is a lie told in a manner as to make it seem true.

Fiction > Short Story a brief narrative that concentrates on one situation and involves two or th > Novel an extended narrative that includes more characters and complicated plot. > Fable - A short allegorical narrative making a moral point, traditionally by means of animal characters who speak and act like human beings. > Folktale - A traditional narrative, usually anonymous, handed down orally e.g., fables, fairy tales, legends, etc. > Fairytales - Fairy tales are simple stories of humans and their dealings with magical bei fairies, dragons, and wizards. Originally intended for children, the fairy tale has in certain involved into longer and more sophisticated narratives of supernatural events. The term embodies folktales such as "Snow White" and "Cinderella," many of which were collected in the early 19th century by the Brothers Grimm in "Grimm's Fairy Tales."

> Legend - a nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from e popularly accepted as historical. > Myth - A traditional sacred story, typically revolving around the activities of g which purports to explain a natural phenomenon or cultural practice. > Anecdote - A short account (or narrative) of an interesting or amusing inciden to illustrate or support some point. Adjective: anecdotal. > Folklore - The traditional beliefs, practices, customs, stories, jokes, songs (etc down orally or behaviorally from individual to individual. > Parable - A story, usually short and simple, that illustrates a lesson. Some of the most famous parables are those in the New Testament.

Narratives

- An account of a sequence of events, usually in chronologic -Narrative writing can take various forms, including persona sketches (or profiles), and autobiographies in addition to

Elements of a Narrative 1. Setting and Atmosphere Setting refers to the time and place of the story, or the 'spatial' and 't 'When and where did the story happen?' Atmosphere refers to the prevailing mood of the story. A story can hav gothic one. 2. Characters are the persons involved in a story, although in some stori are not persons but animals. This l\element answers the questions 'Wh 'To whom does the story happen?' M ethods for delineating character: a) by description of appearance or mannerisms b) by analysis of character

c) by speech d) by reaction of other persons e) by action of the characteris 3. Plot refers to the significant order in which the action is presented, or make up a story. Plot answers the questions, 'What happened?' an Essential elements of plot: 1. The exposition 6. The anti-climax 2. The conflict 7. The Conclusion 3. The complication 4. The climax 5. The denouement

Exposition furnishes the information necessary to understanding the situat Conflict the problem or dilemma, which may be physical or internal, as in t Complication a series of tense, dramatic situations climbing to the highest Climax the result of accumulated suspense which stirs the most intense fe Denoument the final resolution; is the untying of the plot that clarifies or s Anti-climax a break in the climactic order of events or effect a falling-off Conclusion known as solution; is the phase in the plot that gives the answe question that the plot has developed.

4. Theme is often called the central message of the story. It is the author's st an attitude towards life. 5. Point of View It is the position from where the story is presented. It is also Point of view answers the questions 'Who tells the story?' and 'Wh relation to the action?' 6. Style refers to the way a writer chooses words. It is the verbal identity of a of seeing the world. 7. Irony a technique that is used to indicate an intention or attitude that is op 8. Symbolism refers to the use of an object to stand for or represent a person

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