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Questions and Answers
What is the primary characteristic of literature, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary?
What is the primary characteristic of literature, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary?
Which historical figure is regarded as the world's first author known by name?
Which historical figure is regarded as the world's first author known by name?
What is the main purpose of Mesopotamian Naru Literature?
What is the main purpose of Mesopotamian Naru Literature?
What major theme does Goethe's 'Faust' primarily explore?
What major theme does Goethe's 'Faust' primarily explore?
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How does David Damrosch describe a literary work's relationship to its place of origin after it is translated?
How does David Damrosch describe a literary work's relationship to its place of origin after it is translated?
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What does the term 'weltliteratur' signify according to Goethe?
What does the term 'weltliteratur' signify according to Goethe?
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How were Homer’s odes perceived in relation to sacred texts?
How were Homer’s odes perceived in relation to sacred texts?
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What is Herodotus widely recognized as?
What is Herodotus widely recognized as?
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What does the term 'littera' refer to in relation to literature?
What does the term 'littera' refer to in relation to literature?
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Which approach to defining literature uses a checklist of criteria that must be met?
Which approach to defining literature uses a checklist of criteria that must be met?
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According to the Criterial Approach, how are boundaries defined?
According to the Criterial Approach, how are boundaries defined?
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What does the Prototype Approach focus on when defining literature?
What does the Prototype Approach focus on when defining literature?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics mentioned for literature in the Literary Prototype?
Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics mentioned for literature in the Literary Prototype?
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How is literature casually defined according to the examples provided?
How is literature casually defined according to the examples provided?
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What type of work does the Literary Prototype suggest literature generally falls under?
What type of work does the Literary Prototype suggest literature generally falls under?
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What does the phrase 'many weak implicatures' imply about literature in the Literary Prototype?
What does the phrase 'many weak implicatures' imply about literature in the Literary Prototype?
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Study Notes
Defining Literature
- Literature comes from the Latin word “littera” which means “letters”
- There are two approaches to defining Literature: the criterial approach and the prototype approach
- The Criterial approach uses a checklist of criteria that literature must meet
- The Prototype approach uses established prototypes to which other examples bear some resemblance
The Criterial approach to defining literature
- Uses a list of criteria to define a word, and if all criteria are checked off, the word applies
- Characterized by clear, inflexible boundaries
- Literature is often described as:
- written
- of quality, using artistic language
- relevant to the past, present, and future
- Some definitions of literature emphasize literature’s pedagogical purpose:
- worthy to be taught to students by teachers of literature
The Prototype Approach
- Developed by Ludwig Wittgenstein
- Focuses on prototypes, which are good examples of the word, to which other examples bear some resemblance
- Examples of the prototype approach may have similar characteristics, but not all characteristics are the same.
The Literary Prototype
- Jim Meyer defines the literary prototype as:
- Written text
- Marked by careful use of language, including creative metaphors
- Found in literary genres (poetry, prose fiction, drama)
- Read aesthetically
- Intended to be read aesthetically
- Open to interpretation
Oxford English Dictionary Definition of Literature
- Uses two definitions for literature
- Big "L" literature is “printed matter of any kind; especially leaflets, brochures, etc., used to advertise products or provide information and advice”
- Small “l” literature is “written work valued for superior or lasting artistic merit”
Early Literature
- Ur, Enheduanna is the world’s first author known by name
- She lived from 2285 to 2250 BCE and was a high- priestess
- Homer’s odes were considered to be true and sacred
- Early literary works are often didactic in approach (intended to teach), having moral instruction as an ulterior motive and often religious purpose
- Herodotus is widely credited as the first historian and is often referred to as “The Father of History”
Mesopotamian Naru Literature
- The purpose of Naru Literature was to emphasize moral, cultural, and religious points
What is World Literature
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe introduced the concept of “weltliteratur” in 1827
- He is considered the greatest German literary figure in modern era
- Goethe is known for his two-part tragic play “Faust, a Tragedy”
- World literature refers to the sum total of the world’s national literature
- To be considered world literature, it has to be speak to people of more than one nationality, transcending borders
- World literature involves processes of circulation, translation, and production
- David Damrosch is an American literary historian
- Damrosch believes that a literary work never really leaves its place of origin, but instead has two foci: one in the host country and one in the original country.
- Some translated works maintain or lose their meaning in translation
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Description
Explore the various ways of defining literature through two main approaches: the criterial approach, which uses strict criteria, and the prototype approach, based on examples. This quiz delves into the characteristics and educational significance of literature, showcasing its timeless relevance.
