Module 1: Definition and Hallmarks of Literature PDF

SHSLIT21ST: 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD MODULE 1 Definition and Hallmarks of Literature A1. Definition and Hallmarks of Literature: LITERATURE Was derived from the Latin word “Litera” which means...

SHSLIT21ST: 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD MODULE 1 Definition and Hallmarks of Literature A1. Definition and Hallmarks of Literature: LITERATURE Was derived from the Latin word “Litera” which means letters Deals with ideas, thoughts and emotions of man It is a “story of man” 1. LITERA – a Latin word that proves that anything under the sun so long as it comes from letters that form words, words to phrases, phrases to sentences, sentences to paragraphs and paragraphs to literary pieces are all considered Literature. 2. Deals with ideas, thoughts and emotions of man – literature is not only something that we see but even those that convey things that are unseen but are essential to the person’s image and individuality is considered Literature. 3. Story of Man – anything that happened to you from the moment that you have opened your eyes in the morning until the time that you will close your eyes at night, all of those are considered literature. To make it more specific. There are three ways for one to recognize that literature is about the story of man: a. It mirrors life b. It reflects the situation of the current society c. It is based on the personal experience of the author OTHER DEFINITIONS OF LITERATURE FROM OTHER SOURCES: 1. Is everything that has ever been written 2. The best way to understand human nature fully and to know a nation completely is to study literature. (Garcia, et al, 1993 p.3) 3. Learning the innermost feelings and thoughts of people – the most real part of themselves, thus gaining an understanding not only of others but of oneself and of life itself. (Garcia, et al, 1993 p.4) 4. Offers an experience in which one should participate as he reads and tests what he read based on his own experience 5. Does not yield much unless one brings something of himself to it 6. It is a faithful production of life… in a sense it is a product and a commentary on life process 7. Illuminates life 8. Our life’s story including its struggles, ideas, failures, sacrifices and happiness (Ang, 2006)  SHSLIT21ST: 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD 9. Appeals to man’s higher nature and its needs – emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and creative; it entertains and gives pleasure; it fires the imagination and arouses noble emotions; enriches man by enabling him to reflect on life and by filling him with new ideas. (Garcia, et al, 1993 pp.1-3) 10. Is one of the seven arts (music, dance, painting, sculpture, theatre and architecture) and as such, it is a creative product of a creative work, the result of which is form and beauty (Nuggets, 2004, p.2) In a nutshell, looking back on those 10 other definitions, you would discover that those are the exact sequence on how you will appreciate literature in your life. Reading by the heart and with the brain will surely make you enjoy the world of literature. At some point, we may not understand and appreciate the literary texts that we are reading and that is simply because we have missed out some of the steps mentioned above. HALLMARKS OF LITERATURE (standards of great literature) 1. Artistry – quality that appeals to our sense of beauty 2. Intellectual Value – stimulates thought, enriches our mental life by making us realize fundamental truths about life and human nature 3. Suggestiveness – associated with the emotional power of literature 4. Spiritual Value – elevates the spirit by bringing out moral/ values; the capacity to inspire 5. Permanence – it endures (can be red again and again as it gives fresh delight and new insights) 6. Universality – is timeless and timely (forever relevant in terms of its theme and conditions) CONCEPTS ABOUT LITERATURE Literary conventions – meaning is so widely understood within a society that authors can expect their audiences to accept Literary criticism – descriptions, analyses, interpretations and evaluations of works of literature using different (philosophical or ideological) theories or viewpoints Literary canon – a group of works generally agreed upon by critics to be masterpieces; appears again and again in anthologies of literature and course syllabi.  SHSLIT21ST: 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD References: Ang, J.G. (2016). Literatura:21st Century Philippine and World Literatures. City of Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc. Baronda, A.J.C. (2016). 21st Century Literature From The Philippines and The World. Pasay City: JFS Publishing Services. Enriquez, D.C. (2012). Philippine Literature: A Regional Approach. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store.