Aristotle Art is an imitation of something thing, person or event, in our world. Recreation or representation in a form not natural to it.

. Imitative instinct innate in humans, coupled with rhythm, harmony & pattern, it forms art. Art draws only on the perfect example and not the imperfect aspects of nature Artist refines nature. Blind imitation? No, creativity is in artists outlook. *the way of teaching the text*

Art insight into reality? Value of art begins to depend on its truth, but it is this always necessary? Taj Mahal How can it tell the truth? Julius Caesar will we ever learn from it when we are Roman tyrants ourselves? Imititative theory cannot encompass all aspects of literature as an art Hitchhikers Guide reality?

Representative theory H2G2 represents a possibility of what alien life and the future might be like. Neo-representative theory conclusively encompasses most forms of art and most genres of literature as well. Art is anything that is about something Embraces even Duchamps Fountain represent a satirical look at classical sculpture.

Expressive theory Wordsworth Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, the poets job is to treat of things not as they are but as they seem to exist to the senses and the passions. Some aspects of the theory: The artist does not imitate the external world, but expresses the world within him. Truth has nothing to do with literature.

The sincerity of the emotion being expressed is indicative of the trueness of the work.

Discussion What is the value of expressive writing?

Proponents of the expressive theory say that upon reading how another person feels our sensibilities are awakened. It is a way of expanding and enriching ones personality

Affective theory A piece of art ought to arouse some emotion or at least affect the perceiver in some way. These theories also hold that stimulation of certain emotions is good. Most readers seek emotional stimulus from books and they want to identify themselves with the central character. It also insist that the main aim is not to induce temporary emotional state, but to induce an emotional state that will lead to some kind of action. Finally as Ezekiel Phalele says. The best poetry is one that

Tentative conclusions Literature gives an insight to reality (imitative) Broadens our awareness of possibilities of experience, (expressive) They valuably affect our nervous system (affective)

From the Movie Dead Poets Society.