Module 2 Persian Literature PDF

MODULE 2: PERSIAN LITERATURE EDENG 210 : Survey of Afro-Asian Literature Professor: Dr. Joram C. Ausente Learning Objectives: At the end of this module, you must have: 1. traced the historical background of Persian Literature; 2. summarized selected literary pieces; and 3. articulated one’s aw...

MODULE 2: PERSIAN LITERATURE EDENG 210 : Survey of Afro-Asian Literature Professor: Dr. Joram C. Ausente Learning Objectives: At the end of this module, you must have: 1. traced the historical background of Persian Literature; 2. summarized selected literary pieces; and 3. articulated one’s awareness of how language works in literary text and author’s style in writing. What influences affect the literary development of a nation? Watch a video clip about the Brief History of Ancient Persia.  The name Persia, from the ancient province Persis, was given by the Greeks to the entire land occupied by various Iranian tribes. In 1935, the government requested use of the older and correct name Iran, meaning land of the Aryans.  Ancient Persia had a literature that is strongly influenced by the Arabic language and the culture of its Arab conquerors. Its classical literature, dating back to the 9th century, flourished until the 14th century, after which it ebbed until the 19th century.  Poetry is traditionally the more important literary form and the 12th century poet, Omar Khayyam, is probably Persia’s most famous poet.  Epic poetry was an indigenous Iranian literary form. Firdawsi’s heroic epic, Sha Nameh or Book of Kings was the first and greatest national epic. In the field of lyric poetry, the best exponents were Sheik Moslehoddin Sa’di and Shamsoddin Hafez (also spelled Hafiz).  Persian prose includes stories, fables, histories and manuals of conduct. The earlier prose was characterized by rhyme, but this led to artificiality and, thus, declined, paving the way of the Western literary forms in the early 20th century. The most influential figure of the modernistic movement is Nima Yushij (1895-1959). Selection #1: First Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor from Arabian Nights - Have you experienced sea travel? - What can you say about your experience? Understand the Literary Background Legend has it that the thrilling adventures in the Arabian Nights were told by a beautiful and intelligent queen to escape execution from her husband. Her husband, the king, married a new girl every day and had her beheaded the following morning.  The people hid their daughters, afraid of the sad fate that would befall them. But Scheherazade was not afraid, for she had a plan. Every evening, she would tell a fascinating story and the king would tell his executioners to postpone the beheading of his wife.  Before the king knew it, a thousand days and nights had passed and the king realized how foolish he had been. He declared that Scheherazade would be his wife forever. First Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor Sharing Insights 1. What adventures and hardships did he meet along the way? 2. What kind of life did Sinbad have as a young man? 3. How did Sinbad’s fortune change for the better? 4. Do you agree with ideas expressed in the six-line verse quoted in the early part of the story? Why or why not? By means of toil man shall scale the height, Who to fame aspires mustn’t sleep overnight. Who seeks pearl in the deep must dive, Winning prosperity and wealth by his main and might. And who seeks Fame without toil and strife Seeks the impossible and wastes his life. 5. What did Sinbad plan to do on his journey to fame? 6. What character traits of Sinbad may have helped him survive? 7. What character traits are shown by the ship captain? Cite details to support your answer. 8. Do you think that these character traits are still present in people today? Support your answer.  ESSAY: 1.Did Sinbad find the fame he was seeking? Support your answer. 2.How do you propose to find your own place in life? Selection 2: Rubaiyat (Excerpt) Omar Khayyam tr. Edward Fitzgerald Have you ever wondered what heaven and hell are like? Author’s Profile: Omar Khayyam was a busy and important man during his time. A great mathematician and astronomer, he wrote books on algebra and geometry and was the leader of a group of scholars who revised the Persian calendar. The quatrains which Omar uses to toss off at odd times show that he was a pessimist whose philosophy was: We do not know where we come from or where we are going. Therefore make the most of this life. Group Sharing: - Read the poem and answer the guide questions among your group mates. - After that, share and compare your answers with the other groups. Teaching application: What approach or strategy have you learned in our class that would help you, as a teacher, highlight the moral value of the chosen literary selection? Asynchronous Activity: Selection #3: The Gulistan (Excerpts) Sa’di Read the excerpt The Gudistan by Sa’di and answer the activity in Canvas.