Introduction to Literature

• Introduction to literature

Definition

• Literature is one of the seven traditional arts.
• It employs language with an aesthetic and moving purpose.

What is Literary Creation?

• It is the art of the word that combines reality and fantasy.
• It is always fiction.

Literary Communication

• Context: Represented reality
• Sender: Author, message: book/text, receiver: reader
• Code: literary language.

Levels of Interpretation

Denotation

• The meaning is direct, textual, and merely informative.
• The theme and argument are found here.
• Example: "El Caballero Carmelo" by Abraham Valdelomar is about a rooster that faces a younger one named Ajiseco.

Connotation

• Meaning is indirect, suggestive, and transcendent.
• The message of the work is found here.
• Example of connotation: "Slender, lean, muscular, and austere, his sharp red head was that of a proud hidalgo." - Abraham Valdelomar

Forms of Literary Language

Verse

• Generally used in poetry.
• Subject to rhythm, rhyme, meter, and poetic licenses.
• Example: "Youth, divine treasure, you leave never to return when I want to cry... I don't cry and sometimes I cry without wanting to" - Rubén Darío

Prose

• The most natural form of literary language.
• Predominates in narration.

Poetic Prose

• Subjective prose with musicality, rhythm, and subjectivity.

Literary Genres

• Categories used to classify literary works based on general characteristics (structure and content)
• Five literary genres exist: epic, lyrical, dramatic, narrative, and expository
• Epic, lyrical, and dramatic are classical genres
• Narrative and expository are modern genres
• San Marcos considers three literary genres: epic, lyrical, and dramatic.
• Literary genres are divided into species

Epic Genre

• Originates from the Greek "epos."
• Narrates deeds or adventures.
• Quality is superhuman.
• Supernatural elements are present.
• Gods can intervene.

Species include

• Epopeya: The Iliad (Homer)
• Cantar de gesta: Poema de Mio Cid (anonymous)
• Epic poem: La Cristiada (Diego de Hojeda)

Lyrical Genre (Poetry)

• Subjective
• Abundant literary figures.
• Usual form: verse, can also be lyrical prose

Species mentioned

• Rimas (Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer)
• Tristia (César Vallejo)
• Alma América (José Santos Chocano)
• Oda
• Elegía
• Égloga
• Sátira
• Madrigal

Dramatic Genre (Theater)

• Always has a funny character.
• Composed to be represented.
• Contains dialogues.
• Can be written in verse or prose.

Species include

• Tragedy: Antigone (Sophocles)
• Comedy: Tartufo (Moliere)
• Drama: Fuenteovejuna (Lope de Vega)

Narrative Genre

• Tell real or fictitious events.
• Contains descriptions.
• Written in prose.

Species include

• Cuento
• Novela
• Fábula
• Mito
• Leyenda
• Crónicas

Expository Genre

• Emerges in the Renaissance.
• Combines art and science.
• Always in prose

Species include

• Essay (Michel de Montaigne).