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Questions and Answers

What is a defining characteristic of Indian literature?

Prominence of oral storytelling traditions (correct)

Focus on Western literary forms

Emphasis on nature and landscape themes

Use of complex narrative structures

Which of the following is a key feature of Japanese literature?

Integration of historical narratives

Meticulous attention to seasonal changes (correct)

Influence of European Romanticism

Use of free verse poetry

What distinguishes Chinese literature from other Asian literatures?

Exclusively modern themes

Emphasis on philosophical texts (correct)

Lack of poetic forms

Heavy focus on dramatic forms

Which aspect is commonly associated with North American literature?

Exploration of multicultural identities Signup and view all the answers

What major theme is often found in Latin American literature?

Colonial and post-colonial identity Signup and view all the answers

What defines pre-colonial literature in Africa?

Rich oral traditions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about literary criticism is correct?

Explores historical context Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of formalism as a literary approach?

The form and structure of texts Signup and view all the answers

What does Historical-Biographical Criticism primarily focus on?

Examining the author's life and historical context Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the aim of Psychoanalysis?

To uncover suppressed emotions and memories Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is associated with Psychoanalysis in literary criticism?

Oedipus Complex Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical perspective of Psychoanalysis mentioned?

It sometimes leads to 'over-interpretation' Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of Structuralism in literary criticism?

Analyzing symbols and signs within the text Signup and view all the answers

In which way does Historical-Biographical Criticism differ from Psychoanalysis?

It examines the author's life rather than psychological aspects Signup and view all the answers

Which level of consciousness is explored in Psychoanalysis?

Unconscious mind Signup and view all the answers

Structuralism asserts that all texts are interconnected through what?

Symbols and signs Signup and view all the answers

What does formalism primarily focus on when analyzing a literary work?

The literary elements and their relationship to form Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a formal property of a literary work in formalist criticism?

Historical context Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of analysis recommended by formalism?

Close reading of the text Signup and view all the answers

What does formalism assert is the most important aspect of literature?

Formal properties and structure Signup and view all the answers

In formalist criticism, how should one approach the literary elements in a text?

By identifying them and analyzing their cohesive effect Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Asian Literature

Asian literature encompasses literature from various parts of Asia
Key Asian countries for literature include India, Japan, and China
These countries have unique literary styles and origins
Three Asian Nobel Prize laureates in Literature are Rabindranath Tagore (India, 1913), Yasunari Kawabata (Japan, 1966) and Kenzaburō Ōe (Japan, 1994)
Indian literature produced on the Indian Subcontinent until 1947, and afterward in the Republic of India
Early examples include Vedic Sanskrit texts (Vedas and Upanishads) and Sulba Sutras on geometry
Ramayana is an epic about Vishnu's reincarnation as Rama
Mahabharata is an epic about Vishnu's reincarnation as Krishna. Longest epic in the world.
"The White Tiger" (2008) highlights the disparity between the rich and poor in India and the difficulties faced by lower socio-economic groups.
"The God of Small Things" (2006) depicts the devastating consequences of forbidden love.
Indian literature features a close relationship between poetry and religion.
Poetry and music coexist deeply within Indian literature.
The importance of family in Indian literature and drama is prominent.
Indian literature is generally eclectic (broad/diverse) and does not feature tragedy.

Japanese Literature

Early Japanese texts were written in Chinese, as a system for transcribing Japanese sounds and grammar hadn't been invented.
Buddhism's introduction in Japan influenced its literature.
The Heian period is considered Japan's golden age of art and literature, with writers focused on the cultural elite.
Taketori Monogatari (Tale of the Bamboo Cutter) is an early example of proto-science fiction.
Matsuo Bashō is the celebrated master of haiku poetry.
Japanese writing values ambiguity.

North American Literature

North American literature encompasses literature from the United States, Canada, and Mexico; from colonies to today.
Post-Modernism had a significant impact from the 1940s to present
Important texts from that era include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, White Noise by Don DeLillo, and Beloved by Toni Morrison.
Themes encompass the region's diverse culture, histories, and languages.

European Literature

European literature offers a variety of literary works in numerous languages including English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Polish, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Czech, and Russian. Scandinavians and Irish.
It reflects Europe's intellectual, social, and artistic history across eras.
Some of the renowned European authors are Homer, Virgil, Dante, Chaucer as they represent a rich literary output.
European literature is characterized by a diverse and multilingual heritage, with many different languages employed.
Migration and diaspora are prominent themes, reflecting heightened global mobility.
Post-colonial narratives increasingly challenge Eurocentric views in European literature.

Latin American Literature

Latin American literature encompasses written works from various Hispanic and Lusophone nations.
Magical realism gained significance during the second half of the 20th century.
Notable examples of this style include Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967).
Pre-Columbian civilizations possessed rich oral traditions; their culture was transmitted through oral stories not written language.
The Latin American Boom spanned from 1960 to 1967 with a remarkable output of literary works.
Themes often focus on cultural diversity, personal experiences, political struggles, and the diverse tapestry of the region.

African Literature

African literature encompasses oral traditions and written works across various African languages.
Early African examples date to 2300-2100 BCE with the Egyptian use of burial texts.
Significant historical and literary figures include Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka.
Works during the colonial era often expressed themes of liberation and independence.

Literary Approaches

Formalism focuses solely on the structure of a literary piece (style, imagery, etc). Ignoring author's background, or historical context.
Historical-Biographical approach analyses the text by looking into the author's background, considering historical context and cultural environment during the author's lifetime.
Psychoanalysis criticism applies Freudian concepts to the literary piece by investigating character motivations or the author's own psychological struggles.
Structuralism examines texts' structure, seeking common themes or patterns (underlying structures).