21st Century Literature Handout #1 PDF

I. Introduction to Literature. What is Literature? Literature is a collection of written works considered an art form, including novels, plays, and poems. It encompasses both print and digital writings. Two Kinds of Literature: Fiction: Imaginative or invented content. Non-Fiction: F...

I. Introduction to Literature. What is Literature? Literature is a collection of written works considered an art form, including novels, plays, and poems. It encompasses both print and digital writings. Two Kinds of Literature: Fiction: Imaginative or invented content. Non-Fiction: Factual and reality-based content. Two Forms of Literature: Prose: Ordinary written or spoken language without metrical structure. Poetry: Literary work focused on the expression of feelings and ideas with distinctive style and rhythm. 21st Century Literature: Literary works produced during the 21st century, marked by a wide range of genres, forms, and styles that continue to evolve. Comparing 20th and 21st Century Literature: Technology and Media: 21st-century literature incorporates digital technology and social media, featuring interactive fiction, graphic novels, and multimedia. In contrast, 20th-century literature focused primarily on print culture. Globalization and Diversity: Both centuries reflect increasing globalization, but the 21st century places a stronger emphasis on diverse voices and experiences. Political and Social Issues: While 20th-century literature tackled wars, totalitarianism, and social upheaval, 21st-century literature focuses on climate change, inequality, and identity politics. Audience Engagement: The 21st century has seen greater interaction with audiences through social media and community-building around literary works. 21st Century Philippine Literature: Reflects the broader trends of global 21st-century literature, with a focus on diverse and underrepresented voices within the Philippines. Why Study 21st Century Literature? Cognitive Development: Engages students in processing abstract ideas and making connections to real-world issues. Critical Thinking: Encourages independent thought through the interpretation and evaluation of texts. Reading Comprehension: Enhances the ability to comprehend and interpret complex narratives and diverse characters. II. Figures of Speech Figures of Speech are literary devices used to convey meanings different from the literal interpretation of the words. They add depth, richness, and vividness to language, allowing for more effective communication of complex ideas, emotions, and abstractions. Simile: A comparison between two things or actions using "like" or "as." Examples: "Her voice sounded as sweet as a songbird." "He is brave like a lion protecting his pride." Metaphor: An implicit comparison between two things or actions without using "like" or "as." Examples: "He is a shining star." "Time is money." Personification: Assigning human qualities to non-human things. Examples: "The sun smiled warmly upon the earth." "The flowers danced in the breeze." Hyperbole: Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis, humor, or effect, not meant to be taken literally. Examples: "I've told you a million times to clean your room!" "That test was harder than climbing Mount Everest!" Oxymoron: Combining two contradictory terms within a single phrase or concept to create a striking effect. Examples: "Act natural." "Seriously funny." Alliteration: A sequence of words in close proximity that begin with the same consonant sound. Examples: "Mary read a magazine last Monday." "The child bounces the ball in the backyard." Irony: A discrepancy between what is expected or apparent and what actually occurs. Examples: "The fire station is on fire!" "The weather forecaster did not expect that it would rain today." Allusion: A brief, indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work. Examples: "He is the Rizal of the class." "The math test was my Mount Everest." Euphemism: A mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one considered too harsh or blunt. Examples: "He was let go from his job last week." "I have to answer the call of nature." Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Examples: "Yes, we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can repair this world. Yes, we can." III. Emerging Genres of the 21st Century Literature 1. Blogs: Blogs are websites featuring regularly updated posts covering various topics.  They democratize publishing, allowing writers to share their work without traditional publishing constraints. 2. Text-Talk Novels: Mimic text messaging and online chat conversations. Use digital communication language and abbreviations to tell contemporary stories. 3. Speculative Fiction: Encompasses fiction with supernatural, fantastical, or futuristic elements. Includes sub-genres like science fiction, fantasy, horror, and alternate history. Explores hypothetical scenarios and societal issues. 4. Flash Fiction: Extremely short stories, usually from a few words to a few hundred words. Delivers powerful narratives in a brief format, often with a twist. Popular for quick consumption on digital platforms. 5. Digi-Fiction: Combines text-based storytelling with digital elements like multimedia and interactivity. Enhances and transforms the reading experience. 6. Textula: A poem in the form of a text message, typically concise and impactful. Combines traditional poetic structures with the constraints of a text message's character limit. 7. Graphic Novels: Storytelling that combines visual art with narrative text. Recognized for complex narratives and diverse genres. Have gained cultural and literary prominence globally. 8. Manga: A Japanese form of comic books and graphic novels read from right to left. Spans a wide range of genres, appealing to various demographics, such as shōnen (boys), shōjo (girls), seinen (men), and josei (women). IV. Literary Theories (Foundational) Literary Theories: Definition: Literary theories are various lenses used to interpret literature, helping readers find meaning by focusing on specific ideas, concerns, or issues rather than just literary forms and structures. Importance: Understanding and applying literary theories allows for more focused and meaningful interpretations of literature, fostering critical thinking. 1. Classical Literary Theory: Foundations: Developed by ancient Greek and Roman philosophers, emphasizing concepts like mimesis (imitation) and catharsis (emotional release). Application: For example, "Trese," a graphic novel, uses Filipino folklore to reflect social issues, blending myth with modern life. 2. Romantic Literary Theory: Overview: Emerged in the late 18th to early 19th century, focusing on emotion, imagination, and individual experience. It values the exploration of personal feelings and human emotions. Application: In "The Molave and the Orchard," the Molave tree symbolizes the old generation's strength, while the orchard reflects the evolving values of the new generation. 3. Realistic Literary Theory: Principles: Emphasizes an accurate and objective portrayal of everyday life, often highlighting ordinary characters and social realities without romanticization. Application: "Trese" mirrors real social issues, such as corruption and crime, through its supernatural plots, providing a critique of contemporary society. 4. Post-Colonial Literary Theory: Focus: Examines literature from or about formerly colonized countries, exploring the impacts of colonialism on culture, identity, and representation. Application: "Noli Me Tangere" critiques Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, highlighting power dynamics and advocating for resistance and reform.  V. Literary Theories (Socio-Cultura) Socio-Cultural Literary Theories: These theories analyze literature by considering the social and cultural contexts in which a text is produced and interpreted. They explore how literature reflects, challenges, or reproduces societal values, ideologies, and power dynamics. Marxist Theory: Focuses on class struggle, social inequality, and the economic conditions that shape human behavior and societal structures. Example: In El Filibusterismo, characters like Simoun and Kabesang Tales represent different aspects of class struggle and the fight against oppression. Feminist Theory: Analyzes how literature reflects or challenges the oppression and representation of women, often highlighting the historical marginalization of female characters. Example: Noli Me Tangere portrays characters like Maria Clara and Sisa, illustrating the constraints and exploitation faced by women in a patriarchal society. Psychoanalytic Theory: Applies principles from psychoanalysis, particularly Freud's theories, to understand the psychological aspects of literature, such as characters' unconscious desires and conflicts. Example: In El Filibusterismo, Doña Victorina’s actions can be interpreted through the lens of Freud’s model, reflecting her psychological struggles with social status and identity.