Postmodern Literature and Famous Authors

Mission and Vision

• Aim to be the leading educational institution dedicated to graduate success.
• Commitment to transformative education through quality instruction, relevant research, and community engagement.
• Core values include self-leadership, integrity, and academic excellence.

Meaning of Literature

• Derives from "littera," meaning letter, encompassing the total knowledge within world literatures.

Early Period of Literature

Classical Period (1200 BCE - 455 CE)

• Characterized as a golden age for literature and arts.
• Notable works include The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer, and Works and Days, Theogony by Hesiod.

Medieval Period (455 CE - 1485 CE)

• Notable figures include Geoffrey Chaucer and Thomas Aquinas.
• Major works include The Canterbury Tales and Beowulf.
• Genres: Elegy, Narrative Romance, Religious Liturgy.

Renaissance Period (1485 - 1660 CE)

• Marked the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern era.
• Humanism and revival of classical texts emphasized.
• Notable authors: William Shakespeare and Sir Thomas More.

Later Period of Literature

Enlightenment Period (1660 - 1790)

• Known as the Age of Reason; emphasized logic and skepticism.
• Key works include The Rape of the Lock and Rights of Man.
• Prominent authors: John Dryden and Alexander Pope.

Romantic Period (1790 - 1830)

• Focused on emotion, imagination, and individualism.
• Key works include I wondered Lonely as a Cloud and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Victorian Period (1832 - 1901)

• Defined by Queen Victoria's reign combining romance with realism.
• Notable works: The Pickwick Papers and poetry by Elizabeth Browning.

Modern Period (1914 - 1945)

• Introduced self-consciousness in writing, breaking traditional forms.
• Significant works include The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.

Postmodern Period (1945 - onward)

• Characterized by narrative techniques like fragmentation and unreliability.
• Influential works: Infinite Jest and Waiting for Godot.

Values of Literature

• Explores various dimensions: Entertainment, Political influence, Artistic merit, Cultural context, Historical relevance, Philosophical insight, Moral lessons, and Ethical questioning.

Approaches and Methods of Studying Literature

Formalistic/Literary Approach

• Emphasizes literary elements and their interrelation.

Moral and Humanistic Approach

• Focus on the rational nature of humanity presented in literature.

Historical Approach

• Literature contextualized within its historical timeframe.

Cultural Approach

• Literature as a reflection of national or cultural identity.

Psychological Approach

• Literature viewed as an expression of personality and inner drives.

Literary Standards

• Permanence: Works that endure through time.
• Universality: Timeless relevance.
• Spiritual Value: Elevates moral and ethical virtues.
• Style: Unique perspective of the writer.

Literature and History

• Literature reflects historical customs, dreams, and societal norms.
• History offers integral context, though literature may not always depict true events.

Minor and Major Forms of Literature

• Minor forms: Newspapers, comics, diaries, etc.
• Major forms: Novels, dramas, screenplays, and poetry.

Literary Elements

Elements of Play

• Plot: Sequence of events.
• Character: Represents morals and qualities.
• Thought: Central theme communicated through dialogue.

Elements of a Short Story

• Setting: Context of the narrative.
• Characters: Protagonists and antagonists.
• Conflict: Central challenges faced.

Elements of Poetry

• Structure and Form: Organization and types of poetry, such as sonnets and odes.
• Meter: Rhythmic structure influencing the flow.
• Rhyme and Sound: Patterns of sound and rhythm.
• Figurative Language: Devices like symbolism and metaphor enhance meaning.

Conclusion

• Literature serves as a diverse exploration of human experience and expression, encapsulating emotional, ethical, and cultural dimensions through various forms and standards.