21st Century and Asian Literature

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Questions and Answers

What are the Mahabharata and Ramayana primarily about?

Epic journeys across civilizations

Romantic tales of courtly love

Family struggles over land and dharma (correct)

The exploration of nature and cosmos

What characterizes world literature as opposed to national literature?

It encompasses outstanding characteristics from various nations. (correct)

It is specific to a single ethnicity.

It is limited to one time period.

It is usually longer than national literature.

What is a key characteristic of the language used in the Old English period?

Use of rhyme and meter exclusively

Focus solely on romantic themes

Extensive use of case endings (correct)

Emphasis on modern vocabulary

What type of themes does world literature typically explore?

Universal themes relatable to a wider audience. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a prevalent theme in 21st Century World Literature?

Renaissance art. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is specifically used in Old English poetry to enhance poetic expression?

Kennings Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of 'The Little Prince'?

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Signup and view all the answers

What major event marked the end of the Old English period?

The Norman Conquest of 1066 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Panchatantra?

A collection of humor-filled animal fables Signup and view all the answers

What does Lishu refer to in the context of Asian literature?

A clerical or chancery script. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant influence on Middle English literature?

Norman French culture Signup and view all the answers

Asian literature can be primarily categorized into which of the following divisions?

Chinese, Japanese, and Indian literature. Signup and view all the answers

How many dialects were spoken during the Old English period?

Four Signup and view all the answers

What essential quality of love is highlighted in 'The Little Prince' according to its famous quote?

One sees clearly only with the heart. Signup and view all the answers

What time frame defines the Middle English period?

1100 to 1500 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is least likely to be a focus in Chinese literary works?

Modern advertisement techniques. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of a Lushi poem?

Eight lines of five or seven syllables each Signup and view all the answers

How many syllables are in a Haiku poem?

17 syllables Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a Jueju from a Lushi?

It omits specific lines from the Lushi structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Renga poetry?

A collaborative effort with alternating stanzas Signup and view all the answers

What is the total number of syllables in a Tanka poem?

31 syllables Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a Choka poem?

Alternating lines of five and seven syllables Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Indian Literature as defined in the content?

It includes works in various vernacular languages. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Mahabharata compare to the Ramayana in terms of length?

Mahabharata is significantly longer than Ramayana. Signup and view all the answers

Who is regarded as the father of English literature?

Geoffrey Chaucer Signup and view all the answers

What genre does 'The Canterbury Tales' belong to?

Middle English literature Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes magical realism in Latin American literature?

Blend of fantasy into everyday life Signup and view all the answers

Which literary movement is identified as having its founding text in Rubén Darío's 'Azul'?

Modernismo Signup and view all the answers

The literature of Pre-Columbian cultures was primarily what type?

Oral literature Signup and view all the answers

What major event gave rise to a literary boom in Latin America during the 1960s?

World War II Signup and view all the answers

During the 19th century, 'foundational fictions' sought to establish what?

National identity Signup and view all the answers

What trend characterized post-boom literature in Latin America?

An inclination towards irony and popular genres Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following languages are considered significant for inter-ethnic communication in Africa?

Hausa Signup and view all the answers

What themes are commonly addressed in African literature?

Racial discrimination Signup and view all the answers

Negritude emerged as a response to which of the following?

Cultural assimilation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes oral literature, or orature, in African culture?

Performance of traditional narratives Signup and view all the answers

Presence Africaine was created as a part of which literary movement?

Negritude Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of dirges in African oral literature?

Lamenting the departed Signup and view all the answers

Which literary form is characterized by recounting the heroic exploits of ancestors?

Epics Signup and view all the answers

The literary genre that focuses on the people's struggle with changing conditions is primarily reflected in which of the following?

African literature Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of praise poems?

To celebrate outstanding qualities and achievements of an object Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes proverbs accurately?

Short statements meant to convey advice or irony Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor in the third wave of literacy in Africa?

Colonialism and missionary activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of critical reading strategies?

Analyzing literature to develop an argument or evaluation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recognized critical reading strategy?

Reading without any prior knowledge of the subject Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes literatures of testimony?

Written works from the 1950s and 60s expressing personal experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of reflecting as a critical reading strategy?

Examining personal responses to the text Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding literatures of revolt?

They are produced in European languages by African authors Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

21st Century Literature

World literature encompasses genres exhibiting outstanding characteristics of various national literatures. It's distinct from national literature, which is specific to a country or time period.
World literature is accessible across cultures.
Elements of world literature often address universal themes like love, family, struggles, humanitarian values, tragedy, and life cycles.
Contemporary themes include vampires, sorcery, space, and science fiction.

Asian Literature

Asian literature spans thousands of years across numerous countries.
Chinese literature includes fiction, philosophy, religion, poetry, and science.
Lishu is a calligraphic script, used in official records.
Lushi is a Tang dynasty poem form (eight lines, 5 or 7 syllables).
Jueju is a four-line Chinese poem, often omitting lines from lüshi.
Japanese literature is comparable to English in age and variety, though less voluminous.
Haiku is a three-line Japanese poem (5-7-5 syllables).
Tanka is a 31-syllable Japanese poem (5-7-5-7-7 syllables).
Choka is a Japanese poem with alternating lines of 5 and 7 syllables, ending with a 7-syllable line.
Renga is collaborative Japanese poetry, using alternating 5-7-5 and 7-7 syllable stanzas.
Indian literature spans various languages (Sanskrit, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu).
Mahabharata is a long Sanskrit epic poem about drama and history.
Ramayana is a shorter Sanskrit epic.
Panchatantra is a collection of Sanskrit animal fables.

English Literature

Old English characteristics include case endings, pagan/Christian thought, and kennings (indirect phrases).
Beowulf is an Old English epic poem known for kennings, with themes of heroism and loyalty.
Old English ended around 1150 AD (Middle English began).
Middle English (1066-1485 AD) was influenced by the Norman Conquest and French.
Geoffrey Chaucer is considered the father of English literature.
The Canterbury Tales is a Middle English novel example.
Epic poems are long narrative poems about heroes.
Sonnets are 14-line poems with specific rhyme schemes.
Drama tells stories through dialogue, performed on stage.
Novels are long prose narratives about fictional characters.

Latin American Literature

Latin American literature includes oral and written works in various languages, rising in prominence in the latter half of the 20th century.
Magical realism blends fantasy with everyday life.
Pre-Columbian cultures were primarily oral, with accounts recorded after European colonization.
Criollo refers to individuals with European ancestry born in Latin America.

###African Literature

African literature showcases the people's struggles and changing landscapes.
Traditional African languages were used for cultural expression.
Controversial topics include racial discrimination, political conflicts, civil wars, feminism/gender, and human rights issues.
Negritude is the self-affirmation of Black people's values.
Oral literature includes folk tales, myths, epics, funeral dirges, praise poems, and proverbs.
Written literature includes novels, plays, poems, hymns, and tales; literatures of testimony and revolt emerged in the 1950s/60s.
Three waves of literacy in Africa include Ethiopian influences, the spread of Islam, and European influences through trade/colonization.

Critical Reading Strategies

Critical reading strategies are used for academic/professional purposes, requiring analysis and evaluation.
Methods include previewing, contextualizing, questioning, reflecting, outlining/summarizing, evaluating arguments, comparing/contrasting, and summarizing.

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Description

Explore the rich tapestry of 21st-century and Asian literature, highlighting the distinct characteristics of world literature across cultures. Delve into themes that resonate universally and examine specific literary forms from Chinese and Japanese traditions, from poetry to narrative techniques.