Major Genres in Literature

Recent classification of Literature is based on three major literary genres; Poetry, Fiction,
Drama. There is a fourth textual manifestation; Film, as well in literary genres. We will examine
these types of texts with reference to concrete examples and introduce crucial textual
terminology and methods of analysis helpful for understanding the respective genres.

1. Fiction: etymologically, the word fiction derived from Latin word “fictus” means
“to form”. Fiction is a general term used to describe an imaginative work of prose,
either a novel, short story or novella. In Fiction, literature created from the
imagination, not present as fact, though it may be based on a true story or
situation. The fuction of fiction is to entertain, educate and inspire the readers and
the audience.
Example: Pride & Prejudice (Jane Austan).
This novel presents a good fiction of actual life of 19th century and related to the
women’s life that is limited to marriage.

2. Drama: a mode of fictional representation through dialogue & performance. It is

a composition in verse or prose presenting a story in or through dialogues. It is
based on some characters that perform in front of audience.
Example: Oedipus Rex (Sophocles) – a tragedy

3. Poetry: one of the oldest and important genres in literary history and in English
literature. (Explain in detail below.)
4. Film: it is similar to novel and short stories in that they or writers tell a story.
Films are multimedial, based on visuals made fro viewers.

Poetry

Poetry is considered as one of the oldest and important genres in literary history and in English
literature. In poetry, we find fantasized, imaginative world. As many definitions of poetry as
there are many poets.

According to William Wordsworth, poetry is:

“the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings; It has its origin in emotions recollected in
tranquility”

For Wordsworth, poetry has its origin in the internal feelings of the poet. It is a matter of passion,
mood and temperament. Poetry must flow out naturally and smoothly from the soul of the poet.
According to Wordsworth, it never an immediate expression of such powerful emotions. A good
poet must think over them long and deeply.

T.S. Eliot says:

“Poetry is imagination that presents its subject with clarity, precision and economy of
language.”

Emily Dickinson said:

“If I read a book and it makes my body so cold, no fire ever can warm me, I know that is
poetry.”

Brief History of Poetry: Poetry is a form of writing that uses not only words, but also forms,
patterns of sound, figurative language to convey the message. Poetry originally used by Greek to
express emotions and educate people via tales of heroes and villains has evolved that was going
from simple rhyming statements to hundreds of pages long epics to music and being included in
almost every type of literature today.

In classical and even in Middle Ages, minstrel recited and sung poetry, accompanied by lyre or
harp. Earlier poetry closely related to musical traditions that exist in the form of hymns and other
types of song such as chants. One of the earliest poems created was “Epic of Gilgamesh” that
told the story of king. Another ancient poem is “The Odyssey”, written by a Greek author Homer
who laid down the foundation for modern poetry to evolve.

Poems are often used as a way for author to express emotions: love, praise, joy, sorrow etc.
Many poems are recorded prayers or stories about religious subject matter and also included
historical accounts, instructions for everyday activities, love songs etc. Poetry is used as a
medium of revolution as well; i.e. American Colonists wrote poetry to express their disapproval
of British rule. Slaves also wrote poetry to express their trials.

Types of Poetry:

Genre of poetry is divided into two major categories:

1. Narrative poetry
 In narrative poetry, a poem describes a sequence of connected events and how a
character works through a plot.
 Includes a narrator.
 Sub – categories:
I. Epic: usually long poems based on superhuman deeds, fabulous
adventures and highly stylized language. E.g. “Milton’s Paradise
Lost”
 II. Ballad: tells a story and is meant to be sung. It usually based on
four line stanza. These ballads are based on the topics of religious
theme, love, tragedy, domestic crimes and political propaganda.
III. Romance: tells stories of romance and adventures include
Arthurian romances about knights and chivalry.

2. Lyric poetry
 A poem that has a speaker presenting a state of mind or an emotional state.
 Originally, lyric poems were meant to be sung.
 Sub – categories are:
I. Elegy: a formal lament for death of a particular person – include
three parts:
 Lamentation or mourn of the deceased.
 Praise of idealized person
 Consolation and solace
II. Ode: a lyric praising something and is written in elevated style
using varied meter.
III. Sonnet: a fixed verse lyric poem that has fourteen lines. It is often
about a thought or feeling and have a final line that summarize a
theme. William Shakespeare is the most famous sonnet writer.