INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

Literature

o Literature is derived from the Latin “littera” which means “letter”, which refers primarily to written texts.
Therefore, literature is simply anything that is written.
o Literature consists writings which recognize the meanings of nature and life, in words of charm and power,
touched with the character of the author, in artistic forms of permanent interest
o Literature is the written, printed or oral productions of the human mind collectively, which deals with
themes of permanent and universal interest, characterized by creativeness and grace of expression, as
poetry, fictions, essays, etc., distinguished from works of scientific, technical or journalistic nature
(Webster Comprehensive Dictionary, International Edition).

Types of Literature

A. Oral literature is the literature of the ancient periods when they did not yet have much concern about a
enduring preservation of the expressions of their wits and emotions or their experiences because what
seemed to matter then to them was merely the pleasure of being able to tell stories or being able to
express themselves either in the simplest way they can or in their kind of aesthetic sense. Itis preserved
and handed down from one generation to another by word of mouth. Oral literature started unwritten, but
eventually captured for writing.

B. Written literature is one that produced from the use of the pen by literary writer. Written Literature is more
permanent than oral literature because it remains as is.

Reasons Why People Write:

 For self-expression. It goes by the saying, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full
of.” Literature can be a great avenue for a person to express what they feel or think.
 To spread knowledge and information. Writing is a great way for us not only to
share information, but to learn from the information shared by other people.
 To pass on ideas and values. Preserving ideas and values can be difficult and
writing can mend to that problem. Passing on principles can be made easy by writings.
 To convey truth, accuracy, and evaluation. This allows others to analyze, evaluate,
form valid judgments, and make wise decisions.

The Qualities of Great Literature:

 Permanence - Great literature has a lasting influence and can stand though ages and may still open a new
world of meaning and experiences through different generations
 Universality - Great literature appeals to anyone, wherever, whenever and may be constantly relevant. It deals
with elemental feelings, fundamental truths, and universal conditions.
 Artistry – Great literature draws to our aesthetic sense or sense of beauty.
 Intellectual Value – Great literature stimulates the way we think. It makes us realize fundamental truths about
life and human nature; thus, enriching our mental ability.
 Spiritual Value – Great literature motivates, inspires, and brings out moral values which can make us better
persons. It also relates to God’s plan and purpose for humanity.
 Style – Great literature is evident with the distinctive way in which the writer sees life, forms his/her ideas, and
expresses them distinctly. The uniqueness of the writer shows in his or her style.
 Suggestiveness – Great literature draws to our emotions, stirs our imagination, feeling, moves us deeply and
evokes visions over and beyond the level of ordinary life and experience.

Prose and Poetry

Prose is discourse that follows the continuous and usual flow of conversation which uses sentences
forming paragraphs to express ideas, feelings, and actions. It is divided into two major divisions, namely
fiction and non-fiction.
Divisions of Prose:

1. Fiction is a type of prose writing that is the product of the author’s imagination.

a. Short Story is a sequence of events including one or more characters, one narrative, and one single idea.
Examples: Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez, Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa

b. Novel is a long work of fiction that has chapters where many characters
are involved and spans long period of time.
Examples: Noli Me Tangere by Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

c. Play is a scripted story executed on stage

Examples: Call Me Flory by Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero
Dekada ’70 by Lualhati Bautista

d. Legend is a narrative about the origin of man, place, event, and

happenings.
Examples: Alamat ng Pinya, The Legend of Daragang Magayon

e. Fable is a narrative where the characters are animals and nonliving objects that speak and act like
people, and usually ends with values that can mold their attitudes.
Examples: The Monkey and the Turtle, The Ant and the Grasshopper

2. Non-fiction is a type of prose writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people.
a. Essay is an attempt to express the viewpoint and judgment of the writer on a dilemma or event.
Example: Essays of Francis Bacon

b. Oration is a formal treatment of the subject and intended to be spoken before a crowd.

c. Biography is a literary work that gives the life account of a person written by another person.

d. Autobiography is a literary work where the author writes his own life account.

e. News is a report of expected and unexpected events in society and government and incidents in the
field of science, business, etc.

f. Letters is a written message communicated from one person to another person via writing through a
medium. Letters can be formal and informal.

g. Diaries and journals serve as account of personal experiences. They are synonymous but there is
an important difference:
 A diary is precisely a record of personal or private and daily experiences.
 A journal, depending on the context, could mean a more universal record or logbook but more
importantly a technical journal, that is a scientific or industry-related publication/periodical.

Poetry is a type of literature that combines the sound and meaning of language to create and express ideas
and feelings. The language of poetry which uses imagery and figurative language closely related terms is
very rich, suggestive, and powerful. It is expressed in regimented manner by the force of stanza, meter,
rhyme, and other regulating devices.

Three Types of Poetry:

1. Narrative poetry tells stories and has two forms:

a. Epics are lengthy poems that embody the adventures of epic heroes and divine forces. They are
the oldest remaining form of poetry.
Examples: Biag ni Lam-ang, Epic of Gilgamesh, Beowulf

b. Ballads are narrative poems meant to be sung. They are briefer than the epics and they usually tell
stories about a person. Because ballads started from the common people, they use repetitive and
simple language as well as supernatural touches.
 Example: Ballad to King Arthur

2. Dramatic poetry reveal stories, but one or more characters act out the poem. There
are plays that are written as dramatic poetry. This allows the writer to reveal
characters directly through dialogue/ monologue. William Shakespeare, an
English playwright, is the most famous dramatic poet. In the dramatic monologue,
the story is dramatically told by only one character.
Examples: The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare

3. Lyric poetry, the most familiar of the three, is a brief poem that articulates the poet’s
thoughts and feeling. The word lyric comes from the Greek word “rhein” which
means lyre, a harp-like musical instrument used by poets in ancient Greece. Lyric
poetry comes in many forms:
Two cups of coffee
a. Haiku, one of the shortest lyric poems, is a Japanese verse of 17 syllables Wake me up enough to ask
arranged in three lines, the first line has 5, the second 7, and the third 5. “Did I have coffee?”
Example: Haiku poems of Matsuo Basho

b. Ode is a serious elaborate lyric poem full of high praises and noble feelings usually about things.
Example: Ode to Evening by William Collins (1721-1759)
Ode to Tomatoes by Pablo Neruda
c. Elegy is a poem of meditation on life and death. Many elegies mourn the death of a famous person
or a close friend.
Examples: An Elegy Written on a Country Church Yard by Thomas Gray
In Memoriam A.H.H. by Alfred Lord Tennyson

d. Sonnet is a 14-line lyric poem with a certain pattern of rhyme and rhythm.
Examples: How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1986) an English Poet
Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

e. Song is a lyric poem intended to be sung.

Example: Sound of Silence by Bob Dylan and Paul Simon