Literatures of the World

Dr. Gregerlin I. Lambenicio

DIFFERENT CONTINENTS
Asia
Africa
South America
Latin America
Europe and Australia

Definition of literature

DEFINITION OF LITERATURE
Literature is the expression of mans best thoughts, feelings and emotion in words of truth and
beauty.

It is Life itself.

Literature comes from the Latin word LITERA (letters) the root of definition of literature.
Literature is language in use that provides insights and intellectual stimulation to the reader.
Literature is a product of a particular culture that concretizes mans array of values, emotions,
actions and ideas.

Literature is an art that reflects the works of imaginations aesthetics and creative writing which
are distinguished for the beauty of style or expression as in fiction, poetry, essay, or drama, in
distinction from scientific treatises and works which contain positive knowledge.

Literature is an art expressing beauty through the medium of language, a recreation through
language of human situation and experience; orchestration of the manifold but elemental
experiences of man blended into harmonious and desired patterns of expressions and faithful
reproduction of life executed in an artistic pattern.

Literature is a re-creation of the manifold but elemental experiences of man blended into
harmonious and desired patterns of expressions

Literature is a faithful reproduction of life executed in an artistic patterns

Importance of Literature

Importance of literature
It develops world understanding
Opens access to cultural sources of other nations.
It helps readers grow, both emotionally and intellectually.
It enables people to recognize human dreams and struggles in different places.
It helps them develop mature sensibility and compassion for the condition of all creation- human,
animals and plants.
Importance
It helps them see the beauty in the world around them.
It exercises their emotions though interest, concern, tension, excitement, hope, fear, regret,
laughter and sympathy.
It makes people human
It enables readers to shape their goals and values and clarify their own identities.
importance
Reading is one of the greatest and most satisfying pleasures of human beings.
Books hold the accumulated wisdom of the ages.
Literature develops in the reader certain attitudes towards life, experience, nature and people.
Literature is a wonderful depository of the thoughts of the best minds that the human race has
produced.
Other reasons studying literature )Abelos, et.al. 2007

Enjoyment.
Imagination and inspiration.
Vicarious experience.
Understanding and empathy.
Heritage.
Moral reasoning.
Literary and artistic preferences.
Functions of literature

Major functions of literature

Literature as form of pleasure
Literature provides a form of escape
Literature provides aesthetic satisfaction

Literature as a form of engagement

A way of transforming the world
Values of literature

Values of literature
Aesthetic value (beauty)
Cognitive value (intellectual)
Social value (socio, eco, pol. Etc.)
Academic value (SLRW)

Sources of Aesthetic Value

Structure of a literary work its main binding principles - what makes it hang together,
connects its beginning with its end and defines for it a shape that the reader's mind can
grasp.

2. Texture of the literary work its language; its workmanship

Literary Standards

ARTISTRY
expression of life in forms of truth and beauty.
sense of unity, harmony and balance.
INTELLECTUAL VALUE
provoke our thoughts, and move us to visualize fundamental truths.
SUGGESTIVENESS
strong emotional power.
Great literatures are felt by the heart.

SPIRITUAL VALUE
ethical values.
great religious and moral truths.
PERMANENCE
pass the test of time
UNIVERSALITY
appeals to the widest and to the simplest human emotions.
no limitations of race and time.
elemental passions and emotions

STYLE
reflection of an artists personality.
the manner he forms his ideas and expressions.
marks ownership
LITERARY MODELS

LITERARY MODELS

Cultural Models
Literature aims to understand and appreciate cultures and ideologies different from ones own
in time and space.
Language Model
Literature aims to promote language and development like vocabulary and structure.
Personal Growth Model
Literature aims to help one achieve lasting pleasure and deep satisfaction in reading.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF LITERATURE
Structure
Fiction
Non Fiction
Form
Prose
Poetry

Genre
Fiction
Poetry
Essay
Drama

LITERARY APPROACHES

LITERARY APPROACHES
Formalistic or Literary Approach
literary elements.
Moral or Humanistic Approach
rational
morality
Historical Approach
product of the times and circumstances

Sociological Approach
social situation /proletarian approach
relevance, social commitment,
Cultural Approach
culture the technological, artistic, sociological, ideological aspects;
Psychological approach
personality, of inner drives, of neurosis.
Impressionistic Approach
reaction-response
Literary Movements

LITERARY MOVEMENTS
ROMANTICISM
Life is portrayed as good.
The absent is more revered than the present.
Nostalgia and reminiscences are common themes.
The hero is a perfect knight in shining armor debonair, intelligent, ideal.
LITERARY MOVEMENTS
REALISM

Life is portrayed as objectively as possible.

Life is both good and bad, meaningful and meaningless.
The hero is a guy next door or a girl on the street, with both endearing and weak qualities.
The approach of the writer is objectivity.

LITERARY MOVEMENTS
NATURALISM
Life is meaningless. It is definitely bad all the way.
Man is naturally weak. He is an animal drawn to animalistic tendencies.
The hero is a victim of his environment. Even when he is good at the start, he will be corrupted
by stronger forces surrounding him.

TERMS

Terms
Truth ( actuality or reality)
Beauty (delights the senses)
Elements of beauty
1. object- concrete
2. idea- thought
3. noble emotion- uplifting feeling
Aesthetic Person sensitive to beauty
ORAL LITERATURE
Proverb (Salawikain)
Myths (mito)
Legends (Tag. Alamat) eg. Ang Alamat ng Pinya.
Epic (Tag. Epiko) eg. Biag ni Lam-ang
Folk Song eg. Pamulinawen, Manang Biday, Salidumay
Riddles (Tag. Bugtong) eg. Isang prinsesa nakaupo sa tasa.

Main Division of literature

Prose written is sentences and paragraphs. It is also known as the language of the emotion.

Poetry written in verses composing stanzas. It is also known as the language of the mind.