WEEK 1 AND 2 LESSONS

1. Activate your prior knowledge about Literature;

2. Identify the 7 literary standards;
3. Differentiate prose and poetry;
4. Through a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast fiction from non-fiction;
5. Using a graphic organizer, illustrate the important ideas presented in the 4 main genres of literature;
6. Recognize the value of literature in real-life situations by answering a question in the discussion
forum.

INTRODUCTION

This introductory lesson focuses on activating your prior knowledge on literature. It may sound
repetitive on your part as you might have studied this already in Senior High School Literature subjects.
However, we would like you to have a smooth transition from high school lessons to college lessons. After
all, the keyword for this course is “literature”, so it is just practical to start our discussion with something you
are familiar with, so that you may not find it difficult to adjust to the more complicated topics.

What is literature? Several ideas might be running in your head now, and slowly you are able to
recall what you have learned in high school.

As you read your lessons now through our online platform, as you watch the latest event concerning
COVID19, as you participate in academic discussions through webinars, as you keep in touch with the
people close to your heart through the different social media apps, you might realize that the world has
become smaller. Even in the midst of lockdown due to the pandemic, people can still have a window
to view what is happening in society.

Do you know about its origin? What are its developments?

Taken to mean only written works, literature was first produced by some of the world’s earliest
civilizations—those of Ancient Egypt and Sumeria— as early as the 4th millennium BC; taken to include
spoken or sung texts, it originated even earlier, and some of the first written works may have been based
on a pre-existing oral tradition. As urban cultures and societies developed, there was a proliferation in the
forms of literature. Developments in print technology allowed for literature to be distributed and experienced
on an unprecedented scale, which has culminated in the twenty-first century in electronic literature.

WHY STUDY LITERATURE? WHAT CAN BE ITS BENEFITS?

By studying good literature, we learn more about human problems and difficulties. We will know
about the universality of such problems and ways to overcome them. Thus, it makes us better human
beings. Moreover, it allows us to go to the places we’ve never been, meet persons we’ve never met, and
encounter ideas that never crossed our minds. Furthermore, international understanding and world peace
could as well be achieved.
A particular literary piece must possess these seven literary standards in order to be called a peerless
epitome of artwork capable of enduring the inevitable gusty tides of alteration. To criticize it is to consider
the seven literary standards. Be critical. Ask yourself once in a while. Does it move you? Does it tickle your
imaginations? What does it suggest? What lessons can be drawn out? Would it still be read and be a good
reference hundred of years from now? Does it possess multifaceted natures for all sorts of audiences?
Does the style fascinate you? Is the style used unique? These are just some of the considerations to check
whether literary pieces follow the different standards or not.

DIVISIONS OF LITERATURE
Prose – a form of language based on grammatical structure and the natural flow of speech. Spoken
dialogue, factual discourse, and a whole range of forms of writing normally use prose: literature, journalism,
history, philosophy, encyclopedias, etc., rely upon it for the bulk of what they have to say.

Poetry – something that arouses a complete imaginative feeling, by choosing the appropriate language and
selective words, and arranging them in a manner that creates a proper pattern, rhyme and rhythm.

1. PROSE
A. FICTION - These are works of literature that are based on imagination.
B. NON-FICTION - These are literary works that are based mainly on facts rather than on the
imagination.
2. POETRY
A. LYRIC - It expresses emotions, appeals to your senses, and often could be set to music
● ODE - A poem of some length serious in subject dignified in style. It is written in the spirit of praise
of some persons or things.
● ELEGY - A poem written on the death of a friend or a poet.
● SONG - A poem in a regular metrical pattern set to music. It has twelve syllables (dodecasyllabic)
● and slowly sung to the accompaniment of a guitar or bandura.
● CORRIDO - These have measures of eight syllables (octosyllabic) and are recited to a material
beat.
● SONNET - A poem containing fourteen iambic lines and a complicated rhyme.
● FOLKSONG - These are short poems intended to be sung. The common theme is love,
● despair, grief, doubt, joy, hope, and sorrow.
● PSALMS - This is a song praising God or the Virgin Mary and containing a philosophy of life.
● PROVERBS - These are concise statements that teach ideas on morality and tradition.

B. NARRATIVE - A p oem that tells a story, and has the elements of a story. Narrative poems often
have a rhyme scheme.
 ● EPIC - A long poem about a hero concerning the beginning, the continuance, and the end of an
event of great significance.
● METRICAL ROMANCE- A poem that tells a story of adventure, love, and chivalry. The typical hero
is a knight on a quest.
● METRICAL TALE - A poem consisting usually of a single series of connective events
● that are simple idylls or home tales, love tales, tales of the supernatural, or tales written for a strong
moral purpose in verse form.
● BALLAD - The simplest type of narrative poetry. It is a short poem telling a single incident in simple
meter and stanzas.

C. DRAMATIC - A poem where the speaker is someone other than the poet himself. A dramatic
poem often includes characters and dialogue

A. Comedy - It is a type of drama intended to amuse the audience rather than make them deeply
concerned about the events that happened. The characters overcome some difficulties, but they always
overcome their ill-fortune and find happiness in the end.
B. Farce - A comedy that depends for its humor on quick and surprising turns of events and on
exaggerated characters and situations, or the type of humor characteristic of such a play.
C. Tragedy - It is a type of drama that shows the downfall and destruction of a noble or outstanding person,
traditionally one who possesses a character weakness called a tragic flaw.
D. Melodrama - A sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to
appeal to the emotions.
E. Tragicomedy - It is a play that does not adhere strictly to the structure of tragedy. This is usually a
serious play that also has some
of the qualities of comedy. It arouses thought even with laughter.

IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE IN SOCIETY

LITERATURE HELPS EXPAND THE HORIZON

Literature gives its readers an inside look into how cultures from other parts of the world differ from their
own, and how customs from other countries help shape how their citizens view the world. By opening their
minds to what different cultures have to offer, readers of literature become more accepting of the unique
differences of people from around the world. It can also give them unique insights into their own past or
present cultures and can help them make a stronger connection to others in their own cultures.

LITERATURE GIVES A LOOK INTO THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

Literature provides a window into the past, allowing readers to see how their ancestors and others dealt
with day-to-day life. Readers can see where their own people came from, and how the country they live in
became what it is today.

LITERATURE GIVES A VIEW INTO HUMAN CONDITIONS

Literature also helps readers to understand the human condition, and what makes them who they are,
whether talking about love, war or other important themes throughout life. After knowing the importance of
literature to society, there are some instances wherein people voice out everything that triggers their
curiosity then put it into writing. At some point, it goes beyond the norm of a certain community that some
people question their faith, beliefs, will, and even their government. So, what do people of authority do to
this kind of literary works? They ban them. In our next topic, we will know the reasons why do they ban
some literary pieces. Let’s start!
NOTE: Banning of books is not applicable to the whole world. There are some places or even a place
where they ban a book because it goes against the community’s standard.

REASONS FOR LITERATURE BEING BANNED

BOOK BANNING
Banning is the actual removal of materials from school curriculum library, community or even
nation--thereby restricting the access of others. Each book that is banned or censored is done so for the
content within the pages. There are a few common reasons that books have been banned or censored in
schools, libraries, and books stores.
These include:
 ● RACIAL ISSUES
○ About and/or encouraging racism towards one or more groups of people.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Challenged at the Warren, IN Township schools (1981) because the book does "psychological damage to
the positive integration process" and "represents institutionalized racism under the guise of good literature."
After unsuccessfully trying to ban Lee's novel, three black parents resigned from the township human
relations advisory council.
(Source: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics)

● ENCOURAGEMENT OF "DAMAGING" LIFESTYLES/ ILL WILL

○ The content of the book encourages lifestyle choices that are not the norm or could be
considered dangerous or damaging. This could include drug use, co-habilitation without
marriage, or homosexuality.
George by Alex Gino

Challenged, banned, restricted, and hidden to avoid controversy; for LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender
character; because schools and libraries should not “put books in a child’s hand that require discussion”; for
sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and “traditional family structure”.
(Source: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10)

● BLASPHEMOUS DIALOG
○ The author of the book uses words such as "God" or "Jesus" as profanity. This could also
include any use of profanity or swear words within the text that any reader might find
offensive.
○ This category, by the way, also covers blasphemy—because if it offends God, it offends a
whole lot of people.
Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
Challenged, but retained, in the Bryant, AR school library (1998) because of a parent's complaint that the
book "takes God's name in vain 15 times and uses Jesus's name lightly."
(Source: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics)

● SEXUAL SITUATIONS OR DIALOG/LITERATURE WITH OBSCENE ACTS

○ Many books with content that include sexual situations or dialog are banned or censored.
Live Show (2001)
The Schindler’s List brouhaha was not the last time that a president intervened in a dispute involving the
MTRCB. In March 2001, the board under film scholar Nicanor Tiongson allowed Jose Javier Reyes’ “Live
Show” to be shown in public theaters. Originally titled “Toro,” the lead characters in the movie engage in sex
in front of nightclub patronizers for money. Tiongson’s decision was loudly opposed by the Roman Catholic
Church under the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. Then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promptly ordered that
the film be pulled out of cinemas, eventually deciding to ban it altogether after a review.
(Source: www.mcgi.org)

● PRESENCE OF WITCHCRAFT
○ Books that include magic or witchcraft themes. A common example of these types of books
is J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series.
Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
Banned and forbidden from the discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual
curses.
Source: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10)

● RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS/ DEFAMATION OF OTHER RELIGION

○ Books have been banned or censored due to unpopular religious views or opinions in the
content of the book. This is most commonly related to satanic or witchcraft themes found in
the book.
Ang Dating Daan‘s Eliseo Soriano goes off the air (2004).
Eliseo Soriano, televangelist and the outspoken founder of the religious group Ang Dating Daan,
challenged the MTRCB when it suspended its show for three months. The lengthy suspension came after
certain INC ministers complained about Soriano for hurling invectives at them on national television. The
SC affirmed MTRCB’s decision, explaining that “plain and simple insults directed at another person cannot
be elevated to the status of religious speech.” It also added that Soriano was merely moved by anger and
the need to seek retribution, and not by any religious conviction when he made the offending remarks.
(Source: www.mcgi.org)

● POLITICAL BIAS/ ANTI-GOVERNMENT

○ Most commonly occurs when books support or examine extreme political
parties/philosophies such as fascism, communism, anarchism, etc.
Banning of “Ora Pro Nobis” (1989)

This Lino Brocka masterpiece, which shows the bloody armed struggle between government-sponsored
paramilitaries and Communists in Mindanao, was banned from public viewing because of its supposed
subversive theme. The administration of then-President Corazon Aquino received flak for this censorship,
with critics citing the decision as proof that democracy has not been fully restored even after the 1986
People Power Revolution. The movie was eventually shown during the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.
(Source: perpetualopinionator.wordpress.com)

● AGE INAPPROPRIATE
○ These books have been banned or censored due to their content and the age level at which
they are aimed. In some cases, children's books are viewed to have "inappropriate" themes
for the age level at which they are written for.
“For Adults Only” rating on The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Based on Dan Brown’s novel of the same title, the highly-successful movie triggered violent reactions from
around the world especially from the Roman Catholic Church and its allies. In the Philippines, the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called on MTRCB to have the movie banned mainly because of its
claim that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene had a relationship and in fact began a bloodline. The MTRCB
ultimately decided to give the movie a “For Adults Only” rating.
(Source: www.mcgi.org)

NOTE: This example can also be under defamation of other religions.

Now that we are done with the reasons why some literary pieces are being banned, let us move on now to
our last topic for this week.

Do you think music is part of literature? Why?

I know that you’ve thought of the definition of literature is about expressing one’s ideas or emotions and
music is one of the ways for a person to express his/her feelings. So, yes, you are right when you say that
music is part of literature and that is our next topic.

MUSIC AS PART OF LITERATURE

Ano ang musikang Pilipino?
Ang mga musikang Pilipino ay mga katutubong awit ng ating lahi na naimpluwensyahan ng Kastila
at Amerikano
Ano ang musikang makabayan?
Ang musikang makabayan ay mga awit na tumatalakay sa mga isyung panlipunan at nagtataguyod
ng malasakit sa bayan. Nahahati ito sa musikang mainstream at musikang alternatib

Musikang mainstream
Ito ang mga nakasanayang awit na pinatutugtog sa radio
Musikang alternatibo
Ito ang mga madalang mapatugtog sa radio

Bakit mahalaga ang paggamit ng musikang makabayan sa pagtuturo?

● Ipinakikilala nito sa kabataang pilipino ang sarili nating sining at kultura.
● Hinahasa nito ang kritikal na pag-iisip ng mga mag-aaral sa pagsusuri ng mensahe ng mga awit.
● Nagsisilbi itong lunsaran ng mga isyung panlipunan na dapat maunawaan ng mga kabataan.
● Nakakatulong ito upang maunawaan ang Sikolohiyang Pilipino at ang ating lipunan.
Papel ng musika bilang panitikan ayon kay Prof. Edru Abraham
● Ang musika ay dapat gamitin bilang sangkap ng pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino.
● Ang musika ay bahagi ng karanasan ng ating lipi ay na hindi dapat ikahiya at kailangang ipagmalaki
pa nga at ipamahagi sa mundo.
EXAMPLE:
Song by Judas
DUKHA

Ako'y isang anak mahirap

Lagi nalang akong nagsusumikap
Ang buhay ko'y walang sigla
Puro nalang dusa
Paano na kaya ang buhay ko?

Sa akin ay walang tumatanggap

Mababa raw ang aking pinagaralan
Grade one lang ang inabot ko
No read, no write pa ako
Paano na kaya ang buhay ko?

Isang kahig, isang tuka

Ganyan kaming mga dukha
Isang kahig, isang tuka
Ganyan kaming mga dukha