AQUINO, Karl Vincent C.

BAEL 3
ELSC 110

MODULE 1
(Introduction to literature, literary theory and criticism)

Lesson 1: Fundamentals in literature: Perspectives, Definition and Functions

THINK? If you are 1 of the ancient philosopher, how would you view literature?
- On my opinion on how I view literature it is broadly is any collection of written work, but it is
also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose
fiction, drama and poetry. It is the art or works of philosopher that we might actually believe or
not. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include oral literature, much of which
has been transcribed. Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and transmitting
knowledge and entertainment.

THINK?

To test your understanding about the perspectives of the ancients and the modernists,
compare and contrast their views using a “compare-contrast” graphic organizer. You can refer
to the table below.

CLASSICS’ VIEWS MODERN VIEWS

It can be old books
Classical literature refers to the great
masterpiece of Greek, Roman and other
ancient civilization.
It is the term most readers are probably
familiar with.
A work of classical literature refers only
to ancient Greek and Roman works,
It is a great works of literature
throughout the ages
Modern books that we read
It is originated in the late 19th and early
20th centuries mainly Europe and north
America.
In this literature, the individual is more
interesting than society.
It is also featured characters who just
kept their heads above the water
Writers broke free of old forms and
techniques

CREATE! Make your own definition of literature and explain it in not less than eight (8) sentences
- Literature, is an art form, can also include works in various non-fiction genres, such as
autobiography, diaries, memoir, letters and the essay. Within its broad definition, literature
includes non-fictional books, article or other printed information on a particular subject.
Literature is classified according to whether it is poetry, pose or drama, and such works are
categorized to historical periods, or their adherence to certain aesthetic features or genre
Lesson 2: Literary Theory and Criticism: An overview

THINK! Castle (2017) enumerated some of the nature of literary theories. In your own understanding,
distinguish the difference between literary theory and literary criticism. Explain your answer in ten
(10) sentences.
- Literary theory proposes particular and systematic approaches to a literary texts that impose
particular line of intellectual reasoning to it. Examine specific text according to a given
theoretical approach. If the text are merely used as an example of the theory being illustrated
we have theory. While Literary criticism is a practical application of literary theory because it
always deals directly with particular literary works while literary theory may be more general or
abstract. It is also the art of judging or commenting on the qualities and character of literary
works. It is also refers to a form of literary criticism in which particular academic approaches are
followed in a systematic fashion while analyzing literary text. Looks closely at the text and
explores them in great depth. If the focus is on the text, and the theory is largely unstated, this
is criticism.

THINK! In writing a literary critical analysis, where can you find evidences that support your claims?
What should be included to strengthen your claims? Answer in five (5) sentences only.
- In writing literary critical analysis. A literary critical analysis explains a work of fiction, poetry or
drama by means of interpretations. The goal of a literary analysis is to broaden and deepen your
understanding of a work of literature we must prove that our evidence is reliable. We can find
concrete evidence on the experience of the others, we must gain some information in writing a
literary critical analysis. We need a witness of your writing to strengthen your claims.
Lesson 3: Introduction to Literary Criticism

THINK! Look for the song Magellan by Yoyoy Villame. Determine what specific textual features was
utilized in the crafting of the said literature piece. Explain your answer in 10 sentences only.
- Magellan by Yoyoy Villame is a popular song among Filipinos but lesser known by tourists and
foreigners. This song tells the story of how Ferdinand Magellan and his crew arrived and started
Christianity and the 333 years of Spanish reign in the Philippines. It also illustrates how the
valiant Lapu Lapu fought in the Battle of Mactan. If ever you are going to take a Philippine
history exam, you might want to sing this song to aid you. In the song we must be proud of our
land because there is a one hero who fight for our land

LEARNING ACTIVITY! Select one topic that we have discussed in this lesson and write a reflection
paper.
- The philosopher and their beliefs, some of them might know how the future going through. Of
course every one of them has a perspective and beliefs that they want to prove all over the
world. As a student, we need to see our future for us to know what we are going to do at the
present time. We need to prove our self to everyone, we need to do our responsibility and
duties. We are not a philosopher of the world, but we can be a philosopher to our own life as we
do what we need to do to be a good student, a good child to our parents, and a good human to
our society.
 SUMMATIVE TEST
1. Choose one ancient philosopher and explain his belief on literature (30pts)
- Plato (427 BC–347 BC)
Plato was a student of Socrates and was visibly influenced by the philosophical approach of his
master. But while Socrates was relentlessly occupied with interpreting philosophy based on
human reasoning, Plato combined the two major approaches of pre-Socratic metaphysics and
natural theology with Socratic ethical theology. The foundation of Plato’s philosophy is
threefold: dialects, ethics, and physics, the central point of unison being the theory of forms. For
him, the highest of forms was that of the “good,” which he took as the cause of being and
knowledge. In physics, he agreed with many Pythagorean views. Most of his works, especially
his most famous work The Republic, combine various aspects of ethics, political philosophy, and
metaphysics among others, into a systematic, meaningful, and applicable philosophy.

2. Explain this statement: Literary theory are products of ideologies. You my browse the internet and
look for primary and secondary sources that will support your claim (30pts)
- “Literary theory” is the body of ideas and methods we use in the practical reading of literature.
By literary theory we refer not to the meaning of a work of literature but to the theories that
reveal what literature can mean. Literary theory is a description of the underlying principles, one
might say the tools, by which we attempt to understand literature. All literary interpretation
draws on a basis in theory but can serve as a justification for very different kinds of critical
activity. It is literary theory that formulates the relationship between author and work; literary
theory develops the significance of race, class, and gender for literary study, both from the
standpoint of the biography of the author and an analysis of their thematic presence within
texts. Literary theory offers varying approaches for understanding the role of historical context
in interpretation as well as the relevance of linguistic and unconscious elements of the text.
Literary theorists trace the history and evolution of the different genres—narrative, dramatic,
lyric—in addition to the more recent emergence of the novel and the short story, while also
investigating the importance of formal elements of literary structure. Lastly, literary theory in
recent years has sought to explain the degree to which the text is more the product of a culture
than an individual author and in turn how those texts help to create the culture.
 3. Draw a graphic organizer showing the progress of literary content in literary works. (30pts)

I. The Classical II. The Medieval III. The

Period (1200 Period (455 CE- Renaissance and
Reformation
BCE - 455 CE) 1485 CE)
(1485-1660 CE)

IV. The Progress of V. The Romantic

Enlightenment Period (1790-1830
(Neoclassical) literary content in
CE)
Period (1660-1790 literary works.
CE)

VI. The Victorian VII. The Modern VIII. The

Period and the Postmodern
Period (1914-
19th Century Period (1945 –
1945 CE) onward)
(1832-1901 CE)