MIDTERM BSEE 37 PDF

BSEE 37 LESSON 1: CONTEMPORARY, POPULAR, EMERGENT LITERATURE Contemporary Literature - Living or occurring in the present literature written after World War II - Began in the 1940s - Reflect a society’s social and/or political viewpoints through realistic characters and...

BSEE 37 LESSON 1: CONTEMPORARY, POPULAR, EMERGENT LITERATURE Contemporary Literature - Living or occurring in the present literature written after World War II - Began in the 1940s - Reflect a society’s social and/or political viewpoints through realistic characters and connections to current events and socioeconomic messages - Prioritizes character development - Societal strengths and weaknesses to remind society of lessons they should learn and questions they should ask - As the society changes over time, so do the content and messages of this writing - The horrors of the war, including bombs, ground wars, genocide, and corruption, are the pathways to this type of literature. - Real life themes Popular Literature - Intended for the masses and those that find favor with large audiences - can be distinguished from artistic literature and designed primarily to entertain - tend to follow certain conventions that readers recognize although their themes and topics can be limitless - Does not seek a high degree of formal beauty and not intended to endure - Popular literature is Ephemeral that it is losing its appeal and significance with the passage of time - Popular fiction is generally easy to read and understand Emergent Literature - Refers to “coming into view or into existence” - Appeals to smaller and more specialized audience - Experimental works, innovative Interpreting and Evaluating Fiction Fiction - Literature created from the imagination, not presented as fact, though it may be based on a true story or situation - From the Latin word “fictio” meaning the act of making, fashioning or molding ELEMENTS OF FICTION  BSEE 37 Character - a person, an animal, or an imaginary creature that takes part in the the story Static Characters - characters that stay the same throughout the story Dynamic Characters - characters that change and learn something during the story Characterization - technique an author uses to develop the personality of a character Setting - time and place in which the action occurs Point of View - 1 st person, 2 nd person, 3 rd person (limited, omniscient) 3rd person limited - author sticks closely to one character but remains in third person 3rd person omniscient - narrator can enter anyone’s mind, move freely through time, and give the reader their own opinions and observations as well as those of the characters. The God’s-eye-view of the characters. Plot - arrangement of events that make up a story Theme - the central idea or meaning of a story Symbolism - a person, object, image, that evokes a range of additional meaning beyond Tone - author’s attitude towards the subject of the work. Mood - emotion evoked by the reader TYPES OF FICTION 1. Science Fiction - Space or time travel, furistic setting, advanced technology, exploration of societal issues 2. Mystery - mysterious crime or death, detective 3. Historical Fiction - combination of historical and fictional experiences 4. Thriller - suspense incorporated through the novel 5. Young Adult - teenage protagonist, love triangle 6. Realistic Fiction - takes place in the present-day/ an actual location or a fictional place that could be real; Characters that seem like actual people you might encounter 7. Romance  BSEE 37 - a hero or main protagonist with whom the other main character falls in love 8. Horror - Explorations into the darker aspects of humanity; Supernatural elements such as ghosts or demonic forces 9. Fantasy - Magical elements or characters of magic, like sorcerers, witches or werewolves; Imaginary worlds, often similar to medieval settings How do we interpret and evaluate literary pieces? AUTHOR-FOCUSED: understanding literary works through the author - Biography - criticism focuses on the author’s life. - Psychological - criticism applies theories like Freudian psychoanalysis and Jungian archetypal depth psychology, to explore the psychological issues observed in the work. Emphasis on reading the work as an expression of the author’s unconscious processes TEXT-FOCUSED: understand literary works in terms of them text elements - Formalism/ New Criticism - focuses on a literary text itself. New Criticism was a particular kind of Formalism that arose in the mid-20th century READER-FOCUSED: understanding literary works through subjective perspective of readers - Reader-response - seeks to understand how a reader comes together with a given literary work to produce a unique reading. - literary works don’t contain or embody a stable meaning but can have many meanings since each reader will engage with the text differently CONTEXT-FOCUSED: understanding literary works through the contextual circumstances—historical, societal, cultural—out of which they emerged - Historical - focuses on the historical and social circumstances that surrounded the writing of a text. It may examine biographical facts about the author’s life (related to biographical criticism) - Feminist - focuses on prevailing societal beliefs about women in an attempt to expose the oppression of women. also explores the marginalization of women in the realm of literature itself. - Post-colonial - criticism focuses on the impact of European colonial powers on literature. It seeks to understand how European hegemonic power shaped the portrayals of the relationship and status differentials between Europeans and colonized peoples in literature written both by the colonizers and the colonized  BSEE 37 Characteristics of Literature 1. Psychological Truth 2. Originality 3. Technical Skills or Craftmanship 4. Expression of Life 5. Permanency of Literature Standards of a Good Literature 1. Universality 2. Artistry 3. Intellectual Value 4. Suggestiveness 5. Spiritual Value 6. Permanence Value 7. Style LESSON 2: CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE Characteristics Reflects current trends in life and culture; it changes often as well Reflects the author’s perspective and can come across as cynical Often presents two contradictory arguments Ironic and reflects a society’s political, social and personal views LESSON 3: ELEMENTS OF CONTEMPORARY POETRY Written in free verse (unrhymed lines) Lines follow the natural rhythms of the language and not the strict five stresses per line Language is accessible with the common reader Brief in comparison to traditional poetry Grounded in the image Meaning of the poem exists more in the mind of the reader than in accessing the mind of the poet  BSEE 37 Elements of Contemporary Walt Whitman - The Father of Free Verse 1. Style- free verse (also uses figure of speech) 2. Rhythm (????) LESSON 4: CONTEMPORARY DRAMA DRAMA - A literature that is written to be performed on the stage. (Famous playwrights are Shakespeare, Sophocles, and Marlowe) 4 Eras of Western Drama: Classic Greek and Roman Drama English Renaissance Drama French Neoclassical Drama Modern Drama Two Major Events ✓ Industrial Revolution ✓ French Revolution ▪ Both happened in 18th century and influenced the birth of modernism CONTEMPORARY DRAMA - Modern dramatists are concerned about social issues, then drama becomes medium for social criticism - Rejects traditional convention of formalities that limits the dramatists’ expressions - Realism is considered as one of the foundations of modern drama ❑ Henrik Ibsen, a Norwegian dramatist, is the father of modern drama Theatre of the Absurd emerged due to the destruction and chaos faced by hopeless people due to wards THEATRICAL STRUCTURE CONTEMPORARY DRAMA Play as central element of the art of theater Dialogue and Action as the structure of the play  BSEE 37 Narrative essentials: 1. Character- central to any drama who acts and engages to the audience. 2. Conflict- engine of drama, that characters will act to solve. It can be internal or external. 3. Themes- provide depth and resonance, exploring the universal human experiences 4. Structure- organization of the story Changes and Development of Contemporary Drama ❖ Diverse voices ❖ Nonlinear narratives ❖ Societal issues ❖ Multimedia integration CONTEMPORARY DRAMA IN THE PHILIPPINES Philippine theatre, divide those dramas and performances into three groups: - The indigenous theatre - The theatre based/founded on Spanish colonization - The theatre influenced (in the 20th century) by the Americans. Philippines’ example of regular production: PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) Tanghalang Pilipino and CCP Characteristics: - Tradition-based forms using new idioms of expression - Functional use of local language-motifs and narratives - transformation of ordinary spaces into spaces for performance and community participation - collaboration of new artists and well-known artists - primacy of function -relevance of the performance to the audience Themes Styles 1. Identity and Nationalism 1. Realism 2. Social Issues 2. Experimental 3. Family and Relationships 3. Absurdism 4. Gender and Sexuality 4. Filipiniana 5. Spirituality and Superstition 5. Musical Theatre  BSEE 37 Notable Playwrights Ramon Magsaysay Jr.: Known for plays that explore Filipino identity and social issues. Floy Quintos: A prominent figure whose works often address LGBTQ+ themes and social justice. Tuxqs Rutaquio: His plays focus on the struggles of ordinary Filipinos and often feature humor and wit. Rody Vera: A significant playwright and translator whose works tackle various social themes and cultural narratives. Gilda Cordero-Fernando: Celebrated for her exploration of women's experiences and Filipino culture. LESSON 3: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE 1. Diversity and Representation Ensuring diverse voices and perspectives are heard. There is a growing demand for greater representation of marginalized groups, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, etc. 2. Access and Distribution Digital platforms have expanded access to literature, which raised concerns about equitable access, the role of publishing gatekeepers, and the impact on physical bookstores and libraries 3. Commercialization and Market Pressures The commercialization of literature can sometimes prioritize marketability over artistic merit. Authors may feel pressure to conform to market trends, which can stifle creativity and experimentation. 4. Censorship and Freedom of Expression In some regions, literature faces censorship and restrictions on freedom of expression, making it challenging for writers to tackle controversial or sensitive topics. 5. Literary Awards and Recognition The literary world is often criticized for its awards processes, which some argue can be biased or exclusive. This has led to discussions about the need for more transparent and inclusive recognition of literary achievements. 6. Reader Engagement In an era of shortened attention spans and digital distractions, contemporary literature faces the challenge of engaging and retaining readers. Writers must adapt to evolving reading habits and preferences. 7. Climate Crisis As climate change becomes a pressing global issue, literature faces the challenge of effectively addressing environmental concerns and inspiring action without falling into clichés or despair. 8. Ethical Dilemmas  BSEE 37 The use of sensitive or controversial subjects in literature, such as cultural appropriation or the depiction of violence, raises ethical questions about the responsibility of writers and the potential harm their work may cause. 9. Technology and Changing Formats The rise ofe-books, audiobooks, and interactive digital narratives presents opportunities for innovation but also challenges traditional publishing models and the way stories are consumed. 10. Translation and Global Exchange Translating literature between languages and cultures is crucial for fostering global understanding and appreciation. However, it can be challenging to capture the nuances and cultural context of a work accurately. DEVELOPMENT IN GENRES IN CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE 1. Fiction a. Literary Fiction: This genre has embraced experimental structures, such as fragmented narratives and unreliable narrators. Themes often explore identity, trauma, and social justice. b. Speculative Fiction: Blurring the lines between science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism 2. Young Adult (YA) YA expanded beyond coming-of-age stories to address diverse themes like mental health, LGBTQ+ identities, and systemic issues. 3. Thrillers and Mysteries often features strong female protagonists. The genre also increasingly incorporates social media and technology. 4. Romance Contemporary Romance has diversified, with subgenres like "romantic suspense" and "slow burn" gaining popularity. There’s also a stronger focus on inclusive narratives that reflect a wider range of relationships and identities. 5. Non-Fiction Memoirs and personal essays have surged, often blending narrative storytelling with social critique. 6. Poetry Contemporary poetry has gained visibility through social media platforms like Instagram, where poets share concise, impactful verses which led to a resurgence of interest in poetry among younger audiences 7. Graphic Novels Graphic storytelling has become a respected medium for exploring complex themes, addressing identity, trauma, and family dynamics 8. Hybrid Genres Many contemporary works blend genres, creating unique narratives that challenge traditional boundaries. For example, literary fiction may incorporate elements of mystery or fantasy, offering readers diverse experiences.  BSEE 37 9. Digital Literature The rise of e-books and online publishing has changed how stories are consumed and shared.