-------------- MODULE 1 --------------

---------------- A. The Definition of Literature ----------------

“litera” - latin meaning acquaintance of letters or words
“a body of literary productions, either oral, written, or visual, containing imaginative language
that realistically portrays thought, emotions, and experiences of the human condition”
(Sialonggo, et. al., 1)
“Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary
competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts
that our lives have already become” - C.S. Lewis
 Literature may not be limited only to ‘written’ works as ‘oral’ forms such as chants, riddles,
myths, and urban legends may also be classified as literature.
 Literature uses ‘imaginative’ or creative language that separates it from other works such as
news reports or journal articles that utilize direct language (language that is devoid of
literary techniques or devices)
 The realities that man faces in his everyday interaction with himself, with other people, and
with the rest of the world can be sketched in a piece of literature. This representation which
clearly reflects his everyday interactions becomes even more meaningful because literature
is not merely a depiction reality; it is value-addition.

---------------- B. The two types of literature students ----------------

Tan (6) proposes two types of literature students. They are the following:
Student A Student B
This is the student who will profit from the This student will always be plagued by
readings and discussion of literary works. This is the question “After all, what is there to
the kind of student who studies literature well and learn in literature that is worthwhile for
profit from their readings and discussion of the me? Even if they read and participate,
literary works because he/she goes beyond the they do not profit from it for they do
surface statements to the heart of experience not realize the meaning of literature to
itself. They do not only encounter a ‘learning their lives.
experience’ but also aesthetic satisfaction
(appreciation of the beauty of a literary piece).

---------------- C. The Importance of Literature ----------------

Another important question is, why should we spend time reading novels or poems when out
there, big things are going on? When the world’s economy is losing and poverty is experienced
everywhere, why do need to take time to read? What is the importance of literature? Inigo et.
al, (3-4) propose the following points:
---------------- Literature provides perspective ----------------
o It presents human life and experience.
o In reading literature, one gets to walk in the shoes of others who may not have the same
life as his, and who may not have the same experiences he encounters in his everyday
living.
o From literature, man is given the opportunity to feel what the characters in a story feel—
like how it is to live in place thousands of miles away from him, or situation far from what
he is experiencing.
o A reader interacts with characters whose lives, inner conflicts, and aspirations may resonate
with his.
o It therefore allows one to discover himself and grow through the exposure of beliefs,
attitudes, values of the people of the world.
---------------- Literature helps one understand his society and world ----------------
o Literature is a mirror that reflects the culture to which it belongs.
o Writer writes from specific experience, context and world view that is unique to his social
world.
o Literature is a window which allows its readers to see in an intimate way, the thoughts,
feelings, vanities, and beliefs of a particular nation or social group.
o It provides a vivid picture and deeper insight to what has happened in the past.
o Literature enables humanity to see their own predicament and progress and the world they
are in.
o Literature allows one to “connect”; commune with the World and the Universe.
o Its transcendence allows us to become more knowledgeable about different facets of life:
philosophy, government, politics, sciences, arts. In short, it is an accumulation of human
wisdom. Therefore, it makes one understand his society and world better.
---------------- Literature offers opportunities for expression ----------------
o Writing literature gives on an opportunity to give insights on matters or issues using the
power of language.
---------------- Literature provides pleasure ----------------
o It takes us to places.
o Aside from the fact that it teaches, it entertains us.
o Literature is a friend to man.

---------------- D. Literary Standards ----------------

set of characteristics to determine whether or not a work is literary
In evaluating pieces of literature, one applies certain recognizable standards of good literature.
These are distinct qualities that separate it from the rest. These include:
Intellectual value
Literature stimulates critical thinking that enriches mental processes of abstract and
reasoning, making man realize the fundamental truths of life and its nature.
e.g. Machiavelli’s The Prince stimulates the mind because it gives insights about political
theory.
 Universality
Literature appeals to everyone, regardless of culture, race, sex, and time which are all
considered significant.
e.g. Chinua Achebe’s Dead Men’s Path appeals not only to Nigerians but possibly to people of
different races.
e.g. Bible (stories of Jesus can be relatable to anyone) , songs (lines can be relatable to
anyone)
Artistry
Literature has an aesthetic appeal and thus possesses a sense of beauty.
e.g. The beauty of storytelling in Dingdong Novenario’s Ang Huling El Bimbo appeals to its
viewers.
Suggestiveness
Literature unravels and conjures man’s emotional power to define symbolisms, nuances,
implied meanings, images and messages, giving and evoking visions above and beyond the
plane of ordinary life and experience.
e.g. J. Neil Garcia’s use of images and symbol in his poem, The Conversion effectively conveys
the feelings of the persona.
e.g. In Carlos A. Angeles’ poem, Landscape II, the persona expresses his/her sadness not by
saying it directly but by describing the sky as he/she looks at it.
Sun in the knifed horizon bleeds the sky
Spilling a peacock stain upon the sands,
Across some murdered rocks refused to die.
It is your absence touches my sad hands
Blinded like flags in the wreck of air.
Spiritual value
Literature elevates the spirit and the soul and thus has the power to motivate and inspire,
drawn from the suggested morals or lessons of the different literary genres.
e.g. Guy de Maupassant’s The Necklace subtly reveals the dangers of vanity.
Permanence
Literature endures across time and draws out the time factor: timeliness, occurring at a
particular time, and timelessness, remaining invariable throughout time.
e.g. Reading your favorite novel The Little Prince piece again and again will not be tiring
because it gives you new insights each time.
Style
Literature presents peculiar way/s on how man sees life as evidenced by the formation of his
ideas, forms, structures, and expressions which are marked by their memorable substance.
e.g. Adonis Durado’s Balaki ko Day Samtang Nagsakay Ta’g Habal-habal features a persona
who is a habal-habal driver speaking to his beloved passenger/lover. This playful poem
written in Bisaya has a distinct style.
Balaki ko day
Samtang gasakay ta’g habalhabal.
Idat-ol og samut
Kanang imong dughan
 Nganhi sa akong bukobuko
Aron mas mabatyagan ko ang hinagubtob
Sa imong kasingkasing.

Again, these are the ‘known’ literary standards which most literary experts agree with.
However, the 21st century brought new ideas to the ‘literary world’ challenging these
seemingly absolute notions. For example, the concept of “universality” is questioned by
postcolonial literary theorists who argue that it cannot account for the many varied experiences
of people around the world. That is, it cannot fully capture the experiences of colonized peoples
or identities.
“It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature” - Henry James
 ---------------- E. The Need to Study 21st Century Literature ----------------
Take time to read this excerpt of Isagani Cruz’s article:
21st Century Literature is meant to ensure that all Filipino high school graduates have a good
understanding of what is happening today in the field of literature, and by extension, in the
arts.
Why 21st century only? Simply because SHS students were all born in or just before the 21st
century. This century is their century. For them, the 20th century is what the 19th century is to
us teachers.
There is also another reason. Just as the British writer Virginia Woolf said of the turn of the
20th century, namely, that on or about December 1910 human character changed, something
major happened to literature on or about December 2000.