Etymology and Nature of Literature

Study Notes

Etymology and Definition of Literature

"Litera" means acquaintance with letters
Literature is writing formed with letters.
Literature can be anything that has ever been written (broadest sense)
The building blocks of literature are letters.
Literature is beautiful.
Technical Literature includes scientific articles.
Creative literature includes non-fiction and fiction.
Literature appeals to emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and creative needs.
It is a reproduction of experiences blended into harmonious expression.
Literature mirrors life.
It depicts what is happening in society.
It expresses feelings towards society, government, surroundings, fellowmen, and the divine creator.

Nature of Literature

Literature is categorized by form and appeal.
Forms include oral and written.
- Oral forms include spoken poetry, songs, and dramatic poetry.
- Written forms utilize words and letters.
Literature appeals to everyone regardless of difference (universality), but can be transient and last only for a brief period of time.
Literature is timely and relevant to the present era.

Genres of Literature

Genres categorize literature into poetry and prose.
- Poetry is written in stanzas.
- Prose is written in form, such as in an essay.

Functions of Literature

Literature is a source of entertainment.
It provides social and political commentary, can be used to impart values, and explore ideology.
Literature documents cultural traditions, folklore, and arts.
It serves as a time capsule, allowing us to learn about the past.
Literature is a tool for studying language and expanding vocabulary.
It helps educate readers by portraying facets of life and human experience.

Literary Standards

Literature must be universal.
It must have permanence and be studied over and over again.
Literature must have high intellectual value and provide spiritual upliftment.
It must be suggestive, with open interpretations.
It must have artistic qualities, showcasing an aesthetic sense through style and form.
A writer's technique is known as style.
Artistry and style typically come together.

Literary Genres and Elements

Literature is broadly divided into prose and poetry.
Prose is the language of the mind.
- Prose is generally straightforward.
- Prose is divided into fiction and non-fiction categories.
  - Fiction encompasses works based on imagination:
    - Short story
    - Fable
    - Myth
    - Legend (explains the origin of a place)
    - Tale (folktale, fairytale)
    - Novel (long prose with characters and plot divided into chapters)
    - Novella (longer than a short story, also known as a novelette)
    - Allegory (didactic, meant to teach a moral)
      - Fables use animals as characters.
      - Parables use humans as characters.
  - Non-fiction is based on reality and actual events supported by scientific studies:
    - Biography: life of an individual written by someone else.
    - Autobiography: story of a person written by that person.
    - Essay (personal and formal)
    - Speech (manuscript)
    - Journal or diary
    - Publication
    - History
Poetry is the language of the heart.
- Poetry is a form of creation.
- Poetry can be categorized into narrative and dramatic types.
  - Narrative poetry tells or narrates a story.
    - Epic: lengthy poetry articulating struggles and stories of a character, often involving superhuman abilities.
      - Awit: romance metrical tales using dodecasyllabic measures
      - Corrido: martial or adventure metrical tale using octosyllabic measure
      - Ballad: narrative and lyrical, telling a single incident in a person's life.
      - Ode: elaborately structured poem glorifying a person or event.
      - Elegy: mournful or sad lyric poem.
        
        Eulogy: a speech for a funeral.
      - Song : lyric poem with various themes.
      - Sonnet: a 14-line poem using iambic pentameter (5 pairs of stressed and unstressed syllables).
      - Idyll/Pastoral Poetry: explores mundane life in rural or ordinary settings.
  - Dramatic poetry is meant to be performed on stage.
    - Comedy: similar to tragedy, but the hero triumphs and overcomes.
    - Tragedy: features a hero who overcomes hubris or shortcoming, leading to their downfall or defeat, often ending in a sad conclusion.
    - Melodrama: a combination of comedy and tragedy.
    - Dramatic Monologue: written in the form of speech of an individual character.
    - Farce: short comedy with exaggeration.
    - Social Play: tackles social issues and problems.

Elements of Fiction

Methods of characterization include direct/expository and indirect/dramatic methods.
- Direct/Expository method: The author describes characters directly.
- Indirect/Dramatic method: The author describes the actions of the characters.
Characters are people or sometimes animals who participate in the action of a literary work.
Characters can be classified by fullness of development or by the roles they play.
- Fullness of Development:
  - Round/Dynamic: The character's attitude changes throughout the story (three-dimensional and complex characters).
  - Flat/Static: Character's attitude remains the same (simple, stock characters).
- Roles Played:
  - Major Characters: Make important decisions in the story.
  - Protagonist: Central character in the story.
    - The hero embodies noble ideas, morals, and values.
  - Antagonist: Character or force working against the protagonist.

Description

Explore the fascinating origins and definitions of literature in this quiz. Delve into the various forms of literature, including both oral and written, and understand its significance in reflecting society and human experiences. Test your knowledge on how literature appeals to our emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs.