LIT2 - Readings on World's Literary Masterpieces (Introduction to Literature) - Literature Overview PDF
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This document provides an introduction to literature. It outlines the definition of literature, different forms like prose and poetry, and how literature is categorized. It also touches on the historical context, and cultural significance of different literary works across the world. It also includes discussions on important works and highlights how literature has shaped human thought and societies. This is a useful overview document.
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# LIT 2 - Readings on World's Literary Masterpieces ## Unit 1 - An Introduction to Literature ### Definition - Definitions of literature have varied over time - In Western Europe prior to the eighteenth century, literature as a term indicated all books and writing - A more restricted sense of the...
# LIT 2 - Readings on World's Literary Masterpieces ## Unit 1 - An Introduction to Literature ### Definition - Definitions of literature have varied over time - In Western Europe prior to the eighteenth century, literature as a term indicated all books and writing - A more restricted sense of the term emerged during the Romantic period, in which it began to demarcate "imaginative" literature ### Prose vs Poetry - **Prose** is a form of language that possesses ordinary syntax and natural speech rather than rhythmic structure - Prose is measured in sentences rather than lines and this differentiates it from **poetry** - Poetry has traditionally been distinguished from prose by its being set in verse, prose is cast in sentences, poetry in lines (the syntax of prose is dictated by meaning, whereas that of poetry is held across metre or the visual aspects of the poem). ### Defining Literature - Literature, in its broadest sense, is any written work - Etymologically, the term derives from Latin *litaritura/*litteratura "writing formed with letters," although some definitions include spoken or sung texts. ### Reading of Literature - **Scanning** - **Evaluating** - **Explaining** - **Discussing** - **Skimming** - **Assessing** - **Previewing** - **Critical Thinking** ### Contemporary Debates Over What Constitutes Literature - Contemporary debates over what constitutes literature can be seen as returning to the older, more inclusive notion of what constitutes literature - **Cultural Studies**, for instance, takes as its subject of analysis both popular and minority genres in addition to canonical works ### Literature: A Historical Perspective - Taken to mean only written works, literature was first produced by some of the world's earliest civilizations (those of Ancient Egypt and Sumeria) as early as the 4th Millennium BC - Taken to include spoken or sung texts, it originated even earlier and some of the first written works may have been based on a pre-existing oral tradition ### Masterpieces - A masterpiece refers to a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship ### Prose vs Poetry - **Poetry** is a form of literary art that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, prosaic ostensible meaning (ordinary intended meaning). ### Literature: Key Characteristics - It possesses universality, artistry, permanence and uniqueness - It can stimulate thoughts from its intellectual value and may lead to mold the moral and emotional aspect - More restrictively, it is writing that possesses literary merit - Literature can be classified according to whether it is fiction or non-fiction and whether it is poetry or prose ### Fiction vs Non-fiction - **Fiction** is a genre of writing that describes imaginary events and people. - **Non-fiction** refers to stories that are based on events that actually happened in reality. ### Twelve Literary Compositions That Shaped Humanity - **The Bible or the Sacred Writings** - This has become the basis of Christianity originating from Palestine and Greece - **The Koran** - The Muslim bible originating from Arabia - **The Iliad and the Odyssey** - These have been the source of myths and legends of Greece. These were written by Homer - **The Mahabharata** - The longest epic of the world, containing the history of religion in India - **The Book of The Dead** - This includes the cult of Osiris and the Mythology and Theology of Egypt - **Uncle Tom's Cabin** - Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe of the United States, this depicted the sad fate of slaves, and has historically been cited by some as foundational for the abolition of slavery. - **The Divine Comedy (Dante Alighiere of Italy)** - This shows the religion and customs of early Italians - **The Song of Roland** - This includes the Doce Pares and Roncesvalles of France. It tells about the Golden Age of Christianity in France - **Canterbury Tales** - It depicts the religion and customs of English in early days. This originated from England and written by Geoffrey Chaucer - **One Thousand and One Night of the Arabian Nights (from Arabia and Persia, Iran)** - It shows the ways of government of industries, and of society of Arabians and Persians - **The Analects** - This was written by Confucius of China and became the basis of Christian religion - **El' Cid Campeador** - Rodrigo Diaz De Vivar, otherwise known as "El Cide" is national hero in Spain, who symbolized unity and strength during periods of conflict. His life and legend represent the resilience and cultural identity of the Spanish people ### Introduction - Throughout history, the written word wielded unparalleled power, shaping societies, sparking revolutions, and inspiring generations to dream beyond their horizons - Literature has always been humanity's mirror and map, reflecting its deepest truths while guiding it toward uncharted futures ### The Importance of Literature - As we close this journey through the 12 literary compositions that shaped humanity, one truth stands unshaken: the written word is more than ink on paper - it is force capable of shifting the tides of history, igniting revolutions, and uniting hearts across generations. ### Lesson 2 Module 2 (Part 1) - Among the vast sea of literary creations, twelve masterpieces rise like timeless beacons, transcending boundaries of time, culture, and language - These compositions didn’t just tell stories; they forged movements, challenged norms, and forever altered the trajectory of human thought. ### Conclusion - And the most influential literary composition is ... 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