Introduction to Literature 2019 PPT

Introduction to Literature Marwan Alqaryouti What is Literature Robert Louis Stevenson "The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish." What is Literature C.S. Lewis “Literature adds to reality, it do...

Introduction to Literature Marwan Alqaryouti What is Literature Robert Louis Stevenson "The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish." What is Literature C.S. Lewis “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” What is Literature E. M. Forster “What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it towards the condition of the man who wrote.” What is Literature Johann Wolfgang von Goethe “The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation.” What is Literature Salman Rushdie “Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart.” What is Literature Why do we read literature? Literature is important to us because it speaks to us, it is universal, and it affects us. What is Literature To conclude • • • • Literature is a way of life. It helps us in understanding humanity, psychology, economy, sociology, etc. It helps us to know ourselves, other people, reality, the world around us. It makes people imaginative; when they read they live roles of different people of other cultures, classes etc., and see the world from their point of view. Fiction Types of fiction • • • • • • Short Story Novel The Novella The Fable The Parable Myth Types of fiction Short Story Is a narrative fictional work written in prose that is shorter in length than a novel. Types of fiction Novel A narrative form of fiction written in prose, it is longer than a novel and a short story. – prose written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure. – verse metrical composition; poetry, especially as involving metrical form. Types of fiction Novella A narrative form of fiction written in prose. It is shorter than a novel and longer than a short story. Types of fiction Fable • It is a very short story featuring animals with human traits. • Is has two levels: the literal level and the figurative level. • It concludes with a moral generalization or lesson. The Fox and the Grapes A famished fox crept into a vineyard where ripe, luscious grapes were draped high upon arbors in a most tempting display. In his effort to win a juicy prize, the fox jumped and sprang many times but failed in all his attempts. When he finally had to admit defeat, he retreated and muttered to himself, "Well, what does it matter anyway? The grapes are sour!" The Fox and the Grapes It is easy to despise what you cannot get. Types of fiction Parable • Is a very short story that is allegorical in nature. That is, it tells about one thing while directing attention to something else. • It also has two levels: the literal level and the figurative level. • The parable, however is usually associated with Christ. • Concludes with a lesson that gives insight to religious truth. Types of fiction Myth • Is a story that is associated with religion, philosophy and psychology of various societies and cultures. • It codifies the social and cultural values of the civilization in which they are written. • Includes gods and goddesses with which humans interact and learn a lesson from. Elements of Fiction Plot The arrangement or the plan of the action. The plot usually means the focus on the basic events which move the action in the story from one level to another. Plot Diagram 3 Rising Action Exposition 1 2 Climax Falling Action 4 Resolution 5 Elements of Fiction • Setting • Includes the environment in which the characters live and move. It also includes the time of day. The setting may reveal the atmosphere in the story. Time Place Morning Bedroom Night Graveyard end of day Park Winter Summer Elements of Fiction • Characters Major Main Round Dynamic Elements of Fiction • Characters Minor Static Flat Elements of Fiction • Characters Protagonist Stereotype Antagonist Elements of Fiction • Characters Heroine Hero Villain Elements of Fiction • Point of view – the story is told by one of the characters in the story , describes the things he/she sees, hears, describes his/her own impressions, attitudes and thoughts (I). – tells the listener what he/she has done and said using the pronoun “you.” – is called the omniscient narrator (all knowing). he/she knows all and reports and explains the inner psyche of some or all the characters. (she, he, it, they) • First person narrator • Second person narrator • Third person narrator – Limited omniscient narrator – Subjective – Objective Point of View • 1st person – This is where the story is told through a main character's eyes. The story is told using 1st person personal pronouns such as I, me, we, or us. • 3rd person limited – This is where the narrator is not a character in the story and talks about the characters. The narrator has a limited perspective and can only read one character's mind, feelings, and motive • 3rd person omniscient – This is where the narrator is not a character in the story and is "all-knowing" . This type of narrator can read every character's feelings, motives, and thoughts. Elements of Fiction • Theme – The major or central idea in the story. Elements of Fiction • Tone – equivalent to the tone of voice in oral speech. It actually reflects the mood, attitude, feelings and state of mind of the author. • through the choice of words Elements of Fiction happy playful sad Tone serious angry Elements of Fiction Techniques • Irony describes expressions and situations which convey an attitude by stating the opposite. – Verbal irony is when what is said is the opposite of the literal meaning. – Situational irony actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected. – Dramatic irony occurs in a piece of literature when the audience knows something that some characters in the narrative do not. Elements of Fiction Techniques "The cake is as soft • The person wants to tell that the cake is not so soft as concrete" to eat. "Water is as clear as mud" • The person actually says that the water is not at all clear. Elements of Fiction Techniques Elements of Fiction Techniques Girl in a horror film hides in a closet where the killer just went • The audience knows the killer is there, but she does not. In Beauty and the Beast, has examples of dramatic irony. • The audience knows from the beginning of the movie that the beast is a prince, but Belle does not. Elements of Fiction Techniques Sight • Visual Motion or movement Sounds • Auditory • Kinetic Imagery Touching Smell • Tactile • Olfactory Tasting • Gustatory Elements of Fiction Techniques • Symbols – words and language as a whole are considered symbolic, i.e. they stand for something other than themselves and the relationship is arbitrary. • a torch stands for learning or knowledge. It is clear that the relationship is arbitrary. • a red rose is symbolic of love, • the serpent is symbolic of the devil, • Dawn is associated with hope, birth and a new beginning, • dusk is symbolic of death, illness and hopelessness. The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe • SUMMARY Due to Montresor’s long-standing hatred towards his friend Fortunato, the former decided to kill the latter. Montresor could not stand anymore his friend’s injuries and insults so he planned to lure Fortunato into the catacombs where a supposed cask of Amontillado, a type of wine, was there. Montresor needed Fortunato’s expertise in wine, which was also Fortunato’s weak point. When they were already at the hidden place, Montresor buried Fortunato alive. Actually, that murder happened 50 years ago, and now, Montresor is telling it to the readers in a first-person narration. The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe SHORT STORY ELEMENTS A. CHARACTERS • 1. Montresor - Protagonist • 2. Fortunato- Antagonist The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe B. PLOT a) Introduction • At the start of this short story, Montresor narrates how he has suppressed his anger towards Fortunato due to the “thousand injuries.” But when he is already insulted, Montresor wants revenge. b) Rising Action • One evening, Montresor invites the drunk Fortunato to his big house where there is nobody else because he let his attendants have the night off. He wants Fortunato’s expertise in wine, to check the supposed Amontillado in his extensive vaults. The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe B. PLOT c) Climax – The story is at its peak moment when Montresor starts to cover the niche’s entrance, with Fortunato in there. d) Falling action – When Fortunato realizes he is trapped, his drunkenness seems to leave him. e) Denouement – Things resolve when Montresor cannot hear anymore Fortunato’s sharp cries. And when he calls out Fortunato’s name, there is no answer. The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe C. SETTING • a) place – in Montresor’s house in an Italian City • b) time- evening; carnival season D. POINT OF VIEW • The Point of View used in this short story is the First Person. E. LITERARY DEVICES • The literary devices used in this story Symbolism and Irony. F. THEME • The theme Revenge can be applied to this story. The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe G. CONFLICT • The conflict here is Internal - A struggle within one's self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, etc., that of Man vs. Man or Montresor vs. Fortunato The Story of an Hour Kate Chopin (1851-1904) Plot Setting Characters Point of view Tone Techniques Drama The Greek Theatre 1. The theatre as a temple of the god of fertility, Dionysus. The Athenian held an annual festivals in the city of Dionysus to honor him. 2. Size and capacity : a huge place which could seat between 15000 to 20000 spectators. 3. Open to the sky, no roof, no curtain and on cold and any rainy days, performances were abandoned. Acts of violence and bloodshed are not shown on the stage only reported. They happen “off “ stage. Scream may be heard . 4. The plot contains no surprises : the story and major characters are usually known to the audience . The Greek Theatre 5. Classical Greek plays were written in verse. 6. The theatre consisted of three basic parts A. The orchestra (dancing place) (P.74) B. The theatron (seeing place) C. The skene (the hut) 7. In Greek drama tragedy is pure tragedy , no comic scenes in a tragedy . The Greek Theatre 8. The chorus : A group of people (3-15) who acted as a sort of guide to the audience , commenting, showing the importance of what is happening ….etc. They usually move or sing rhythmically (in unison) and are able to convey their thoughts by physical movement . 9. The protagonist (or tragic hero ) acted with the best of intentions and his fall was due more to Nemesis (or fate ) than to a fault (Hamartia) of his own. Hubris is the excessive pride of the tragic hero. 1. Hamartia is the tragic mistake or flaw attributed to the protagonist. 2. Catharsis is the purification and purgation of emotions especially pity and fear A. Pity – the emotions we feel toward someone. B. Fear – the emotions we feel when we realize that someone is someone like us. The Greek Theatre 10. The three unities A. Unity of place: one location and no subplots. B. Unity of time: 24 hours or less C. Unity of action: only actions contributed to the main story 11. Women were not allowed to participate in dramatic production, and therefore male actors had to play their role. 12. doesn’t include comic scenes. The Renaissance 1. The greatest age of English drama (and perhaps world drama ) mainly because of the plays of Shakespeare and other prominent playwrights. 2. It is referred to the Elizabethan era or the age of Shakespeare 3. Plays represent real life, compared with earlier drama. 4. The theatre as a building was much smaller than the Greek theatre and almost similar in size to the modern. It could seat between 2000to 3000 spectators The Renaissance 5. The audience sat in tiered seats, or galleries, or in the pit around the stage and some even on the stage itself (especially the poor spectators) 6. Those who were close to the stage were the most responsive. The poor class of the audience are always readier than the rich and sophisticated to identify with the sympathetic characters. The Renaissance 7. The protagonist (or tragic hero ) acted with the best of intentions and his fall was due more to a fault (Hamartia) of his own than Nemesis (or fate). Hubris is the excessive pride of the tragic hero. 8. Women’s roles continued to be played by men. 9. The three unities 10. Plays were written in verse. 11. Includes comic scenes. The Modern 1. Naturalism (realism) is the attempt to present life on the stage as it really is outside it. This tendency , roughly speaking, continued from mid nineteenth century to the second world war. 2. The dramatist can only create an illusion that what happens in his play might be happening in real life if he takes care that the words and actions of his characters do not openly contradict physical laws of nature and common life experience. 3. Symbolism encouraged playwrights to express their inner feelings and ideas through the use of symbols The Modern 4. Expressionism directed playwrights to change reality and show the human experience in an unreal and dreamlike manners. 5. The theatre may accommodate from several hundred to 2500 spectators, at most (similar to the Elizabethan). 6. Completely roofed, well lit, with advanced engineering, sound effects, and safety measures. The Modern 7. The stage is like a large room with the fourth wall removed. It is provided with detailed scenery and property to make the scene look realistic. It was described as the “picture –frame stage” because it looks like a picture in a frame. Some modern theatres have a revolving stage which is operated by electricity to save the time of changing the scenery. 8. The stage is completely separated from the audience by the curtain, and the proscenium and the “orchestra” or musicians area. 9. The modern audience are more self-conscious than ever. They do not easily express their emotions or inner thoughts. There is less identification between audience and characters than before. It is the actor now who thinks of the spectators and may identify with them. The Modern One example of Modern drama The Theatre of the Absurd Absurdists argued that the truth is unknown and unknowable and the world is nonsensical Waiting for Godot By Samuel Beckett Types of Drama Tragedy – is a form of drama based on human suffering that invokes in its audience an accompanying catharsis in the viewing. Catharsis is the purification and purgation of emotions especially pity and fear. I. Pity – the emotions we feel toward someone. II. Fear – the emotions we feel when we realize that someone is someone like us. Types of Drama III. Recognition in tragedy there is usually a secret about the major character which leads to suffering, the other characters discover and recognize these secrets and vise versa. This recognition is discovered by logic, chance, the use of evidence, and emotions. IV. Reversal when this secret is discovered reversal happens and it means the changing of the attitude towards the character that had this secret. V. To be complete, a tragedy needs to be self-contained with a beginning, middle, and an end Types of Drama 2. Comedy is a stage-play with a happy ending. A.High comedy characterized by witty dialogue, satire, biting humor, or criticism of life. B.Low comedy has no primary purpose but to create laughter by showing, active jokes, drunkenness. 3. Tragicomedy plays create feelings of pity and fear through laughter leading us to “feel between sorrow and joy, scorn and admiration … we may not know exactly how we feel, or exactly how we feel” Elements of Drama 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The plot Characters Thought – Theme Verbal expressions – language Audio effects – sound Visual effects – lightening, customs, makeup, … Dialogue – is the speech exchange between characters A. Monologue – a speech delivered by one character addressing another character or the audience i. Soliloquy – the character is usually alone on stage ii. Aside – other character could be present on stage but they don’t hear what the character has to say Trifles Susan Glaspell Essay • • 1. Definition (P.121) "Any brief composition in prose that undertakes to discuss a matter, express a point of view, or persuade us to accept a thesis on any subject whatever." We find the following characteristics: 1. It is brief or of moderate length. 2. It is mostly written in prose. 3. It is written ''on any particular subject." 4. It is persuasive in tone. 5. It might be subjective or objective depending on the type of the essay. Essay 2. Origin (P. 122) • The word essay derives from the French infinitive essayer, "to try" or "to attempt." • In English, essay first meant "a trial" or "an attempt," and this is still an alternative meaning. • The first author to describe his works as essays was the Frenchman Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592); he used the term to characterize these as "attempts" to put his thoughts adequately into writing. Types of the Essay (P.125) The Descriptive Essay The Narrative Essay The Argumentative Essay The Expository Essay Elements of the Essay (P.127) 4.1 Theme The essential objective of writing essays is that the essayist has a message or an idea to communicate to the reader regarding a matter. This message or idea is expected to be taken seriously by the reader, understood, and ultimately responded to . Elements of the Essay (P.127) 4.2 Structure The structure is the planned framework of a piece of literature. Usually, the term is applied to the general plan or outline of the work and the relation of the parts or elements to the whole . Elements of the Essay (P.127) • Generally, an essay consists of paragraphs that are known as body paragraphs. A paragraph is usually composed of no less than four sentences . • In the paragraph there is a topic sentence which is normally placed at the beginning, but it might be placed in the middle or at the end. The rest of the sentences discuss, explain and support the topic sentence in detail through examples, explanation . • Body paragraphs must discuss the points mentioned in the thesis statement. There should be good and logical connections between ideas of the body paragraphs . • The essay ends with a conclusion which summarizes what has been said in the essay. It is not recommended to conclude the essay with a new point because it is not the place to introduce new ideas . Elements of the Essay (P.127) 4.3 Style Style has been differently defined by different critics. Generally speaking, it is a characteristic manner of expression, combining the idea that is being expressed with the individuality of the author. Just as no two personalities are identical, no two styles are exactly alike. The best style is that in which the language is most appropriately suited to the thought that is being expressed. So, it is a matter of choice of words and their arrangement to form a complete meaningful sentence . Elements of the Essay (P.127) 4.4 Tone Tone is the reflection of a writer's attitude, manner, mood and moral outlook in his work. "Tone" in literature is the counterpart of “tone of voice ”in speech, which may be friendly, detached, pompous, officious, intimate, bantering and so forth . Shooting an Elephant George Orwell Poetry Poetry What is Poetry 155 Poetry might be defined, initially, as a kind of language that expresses all sorts of feelings, and it does that more intensely than does ordinary language. Poetry is expressing ones thoughts in verse (metrical grouping in poetic composition) Reading the Poem 156 1 2 • Poetry is primarily meant to be recited, or to be read aloud. To appreciate a poem best, it is a good idea to read it more than just once. • While reading a poem, ask yourself the following questions: • How does the figurative language used help emphasize this theme? • How does word choice, or diction, support this theme? • What is the theme running in the poem? Elements of Poetry 157 Voice • This is employed by the speaker of the poem. Poet, speaker Tone • Tone refers to the writer’s attitude towards the subject of a literary work as indicated in the work itself. Joy, sadness, anger, irony … Irony: • The word “irony” means the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. Verbal, situational, dramatic Imagery: visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile and gustatory imagery 158 • Imagery is the use of words to convey vivid, concrete sensory (relating to the sense organs) experiences. Figurative Language 160 Simile a figure of speech • A simile is a direct comparison of two things by using the words “like” or “as.” Metaphor a figure of speech • A metaphor is an implied comparison in which one object is spoken of in terms of something else. This comparison is usually done without using “like” or “as.” Caesura • Is a strong pause occurring in the middle of a line of verse. Thus, it affects the rhythm of the poetic line. Figurative Language 160 Enjambment a figure of speech • Is when the rhythm rushes the reader from the end of one line to the beginning of the next without a pause Hyperbole a figure of speech • the use of exaggeration or overstatement to make a point. It may be used for emphasis, humor or for poetic intensity. Personification a figure of speech • This type of comparison treats objects or things as if they were capable of the actions and feelings of people. It is a figurative comparison endowing inanimate objects with human qualities. Figurative Language 160 Allusion a figure of speech • Allusion entails a reference to some historical, classical, Biblical or literary event or person that has a striking resemblance (Similarity) to the subject under discussion. Symbolism • Symbols are objects, places, beings or actions that operate on two separate levels of meaning: once on the literal level and again on a different, higher plan of meaning embodied in what it suggests, represents or stands for. The heart is often used as a symbol for love. Onomatopoeia a sound device • Is the case where the sounds of words suggest their meaning, such as the words “buzz” “hiss” Figurative Language 160 Alliteration a sound device • Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sound in words occurring in close proximity (closeness). In “The Raven” there is a repetition of the “s” sound in “books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Lenore.” Assonance a sound device • Involves the repetition of similar vowel sounds in syllables ending with different consonant sounds, as in “roof,” “tooth” and “shoot.” Consonance a sound device • Is the repetition of final consonant sounds with differing preceding vowel sounds as in “peel,” “pale,” and “pole.” Rhyme 162 Traditional poetry very often contains rhyme, most readily identifiable as end rhyme, where lines end in similar sounds. Rhyme Scheme It is any pattern of rhyme in a stanza or a poem, the purpose of it is to label the pattern. • • • • 'The people along the sand (a) All turn and look one way. (b) They turn their back on the land. (a) They look at the sea all day. (b) Meter 163 It is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables into repeating patterns within lines of poetry. And is divided into feet (accented and unaccented syllable) • Iambic (unstressed and stressed syllable) pentameter (five feet) • Rhythm refers to the pattern of sounds by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllable Verse 164 Blank Verse • It is made up of unrhymed iambic pentameter lines. Free Verse • Has no identifiable meter, although the lines may have a rhyme-scheme. Kinds of Poetry: 164 Epic poems: • a long narrative poem on a great and serious subject, related in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race” Satirical poems: • Satirical poems mock or make fun of a certain notion or idea raised in the poem. Ballad: • is a long singing poem that tells a story (usually of love or adventure), written in quatrains. The third line may have internal rhyme. Typically, ballads have the tragic incident of a murder by or of the lover narrated after or before the tragedy happens. Kinds of Poetry: 164 Elegy: • is a lyric poem written to honor someone who is dead. A lyric poem : • is a poem of emotional intensity, and it expresses powerful feelings. Often, it is easy to put lyrical poems to song and to music. An ode: • is English in origin. It is a poem of indefinite length, divided in 10-line stanzas, rhymed, with different schemes for each stanza and written in iambic meter. Odes normally treat their subject matters very seriously and respectfully in elevated language. A Narrative poem: • form is used to tell a story; it is usually made of ballad stanzas, that is, four lines of four and three feet alternatively. Kinds of Poetry: 164 Parody: • is a humorous imitation of a serious poem. A sonnet: • is a fourteen line poem (see also the sonnet structure below). The Italian or Petrarchan sonnet has two quatrains that make up the octave of eight lines, and it has the rhyme scheme abba abba. The second of six lines is called the sestet and has the rhyme cdecde or cdcdcd. A sonnet The English sonnet • The English sonnet was developed by Shakespeare, and it has three quatrains and a heroic couplet. It is cast in iambic pentameter with rhymes abab cdcd efef and gg. • A heroic couplet is made up of two lines of rhyming iambic pentameters. A full length poem can be cast in heroic couplets. • Petrarchan sonnet, the octave usually presents the argument or the question for which the speaker is seeking an answer. The equivalent to this in the English sonnet appears in the first two quatrains of the poem. At the beginning of the ninth line, there Petrarcha is usually a turn in thoughts, or a volta, that marks the descent of the argument into a n sonnet resolution or a final forceful statement. Spenseri an sonnet Miltonic sonnet Other terms: A stanza: • A stanza is made up of any number of lines in a poem. A quatrain: • A quatrain is a four-line stanza with various meters and rhyme schemes. Characteristic of Metaphysical Poetry Startling opening – sudden opening Simple words - the words are simple but the meanings are very ambiguous and deep. The use of paradox – a statement often metaphorical that seems to mean self contradictory, but that has a valid meaning. The use of rhetorical question - is a figure of speech in the form of a question that is asked in order to make a point. The question, a rhetorical device, is posed not to elicit a specific answer, but rather to encourage the listener to consider a message or viewpoint. Characteristic of Metaphysical Poetry Extended metaphor The use of hyperbole Conversational tone – I, me, and you Metaphysical conceit – is an elaborate and surprising metaphor comparing two dissimilar things to the breaking point. They create something out of nothing. • Rest and sleep • Kings, chance and disparate men Apostrophe Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which any of the following is directly addressed: An absent An abstract An inanimate person concept object Wordsworth Donne's Wordsworth "London "Holly sonnet "Tintern 1802" 10" Abbey" Holly Sonnet: Death be not Proud John Donne My Heart Leaps up William Wordsworth Because I Could not Stop Death Emily Dickinson Thank you Good luck