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Questions and Answers
What is the main problem with defining literature as 'imaginative' writing in the sense of fiction?
It does not encompass all the works commonly included under the heading of literature.
What are some examples of works included in French seventeenth-century literature?
La Rochefoucauld's maxims, Bossuet's funeral speeches, Boileau's treatise on poetry, Madame de Sévigné's letters to her daughter, and the philosophy of Descartes and Pascal.
Which 19th-century English writers are mentioned as part of literature?
Lamb, Macaulay, and Mill
What does the text suggest about the definition of literature based on the works of 17th-century English literature and French literature?
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Name one example of a work that challenges the definition of literature as 'imaginative' writing in the sense of fiction.
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What are some challenges in defining literature based on the examples provided in the text?
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How does the text illustrate the complexity of including certain works in the definition of literature?
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What does the text imply about the boundaries of literature based on the examples from French seventeenth-century literature?
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How does the text challenge a narrow definition of literature based on the inclusion of non-fiction works in 17th-century English literature?
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What does the text suggest about the limitations of defining literature based on specific time periods and authors?
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Study Notes
Defining Literature
- The problem with defining literature as 'imaginative' writing in the sense of fiction is that it excludes non-fiction and other forms of writing.
French Seventeenth-Century Literature
- Examples of works included in French seventeenth-century literature are not specified, but it is implied that they challenge the definition of literature as 'imaginative' writing.
19th-Century English Literature
- Mentioned 19th-century English writers include none, as the text only discusses 17th-century English literature.
Definition of Literature
- The text suggests that the definition of literature should be broader and more inclusive, considering works from 17th-century English and French literature.
- Examples from 17th-century English literature, such as non-fiction works, challenge the definition of literature as 'imaginative' writing.
Challenging the Definition of Literature
- One example of a work that challenges the definition of literature as 'imaginative' writing is a non-fiction work from 17th-century English literature.
- Challenges in defining literature include the exclusion of non-fiction and other forms of writing, and the limitations of defining literature based on specific time periods and authors.
Inclusion of Works in Literature
- The text illustrates the complexity of including certain works in the definition of literature, such as non-fiction works from 17th-century English literature.
- The text implies that the boundaries of literature should be more inclusive, considering a broader range of works.
Limitations of Defining Literature
- The text suggests that defining literature based on specific time periods and authors is limiting, and that a more inclusive definition is needed.
- The text challenges a narrow definition of literature by including non-fiction works in 17th-century English literature.
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Description
Test your knowledge on literary theory and the definition of literature with this quiz. Explore different attempts to define literature and understand its various dimensions.
