Literatures of the World

LITERATURE
-is the total of preserved writings belonging to a given
language or people. It is the class or the total writings,
of a given country or period, which is notable for literary
form or expressions, as distinguished, on the one hand,
from works merely technical or erudite and, on the
other, from journalistic or other ephemeral writings.
Webster

LITERATURE
-written works , especially those considered of superior or
lasting artistic merit.
Oxford
-great literature is simply language charged with meaning
to the utmost possible degree.
Ezra Pound

LITERATURE
-consists of those writings which interpret the meanings of
nature and life, in words of charm and power, touched
with the personality of the author, in artistic forms of
permanent interest.
Henry Van Dyke

Standards of Literature

Artistry

Intellectual Value

Suggestiveness

Spiritual Value

Permanence

Universality

Style

Elements of Fiction and

Drama
Plot
Character
Setting
Theme
Structure
Point

of View

Conflict
Diction
Foreshadowing

PLOT
serial

arrangement of incidents, ideas and

events.
Introduction or Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Denouement

CHARACTERS
Reflects

the personality of the

protagonist and other related
characters.
Protagonist
Antagonist

SETTING
refers

to the geographical
location of the story, time
period, daily lifestyle of the
characters and climate of the
story.

THEME
the

universal aspect and central

idea of life as the writer has
perceived them to be
reflects innocence, experience, life,
death, reality, fate, madness,
sanity, love, society, individual, etc.

POINT OF VIEW
the

view through which the

writer tells the story
First

person point of view

Second
Third

person point of view

person point of view

Limited
Multiple

CONFLICT
clash

between internal and

external forces
Man

vs. Man

Man

vs. Self

Man

vs. Nature

Man

vs. Society

DIALOGUE
came

from the Greek word

dialogosa which means
conversation conversation

STRUCTURE

concern about the plots and

subplots, acts and scenes and
chapters

FORESHADOWING
applied

as hints or clues to suggest

what will happen later in the story
creates suspense and encourages
the reader to go on and find out
more about the event that is
foreshadowed.

MAIN CATEGORIES OF
LITERATURE
PROSE
POETRY

PROSE
a

conversation which uses sentences,

usually forming paragraphs, to express
ideas, feelings and actions

It

centers on the presentation of an idea,

a concepts of an idea, a concept or point
of view

appeals

to intellect

FICTION
has

been defined as a series of

imagined facts which illustrates
truths about human life
something invented by the
imagination of the writer

TYPES OF FICTION
Short

Story

Novel
Drama

SHORT STORY
is

a brief, artistic forms of prose

fiction which is centered on a single
main incident and is intended to
produce a single dominant
impression.
it may emphasize plot, characters,
theme and setting

OTHER TYPES OF
SHORT STORIES
Fairy

Tales
Legends
Myth
Parable
Tale

NOVEL
it

is an extensive prose narrative

it

is lengthy that it allows great number and

variety of characters and has an opportunity
for character development

has more complicated plot

reveals

both broader and deeper view of

human nature and experience

DRAMA
came

from the Greek word dran which

means to do

An

art form dealing with beauty particularly

as it is found in the imitation of human
action from nature.

story

presented on the stage by actors

impersonating characters in a given
situation

CLASSIFICATION OF
DRAMA

complete and with certain magnitude

portrays lighter and brighter aspects of

life

POETRY
is

rhythmic, imaginative language

expressing the invention, thought,
imagination taste, passion, insight of
the human soul
its purpose is enthrallment
appeals to emotions and imagination

Asian Literature

Asian Literature

Asia most populous and largest continent on the

planet

It is the cradle of human race, world religions and

civilization which is composed of a widespread
variety of ethnic groups, diverse cultures,
environments, economics, historical linkages and
varied governmental systems

China: The Red Dragon

The Red Dragon

Dragon symbolism throughout China dates again a

range of centuries and remains a large part of
Chinese
today.
The
Particular
red
dragon
connotation derives from the combination of
standard Chinese folklore and contemporary biblical
theory. Meaning Dragons are prominent within
ancient Chinese mythology and also folklore. they
represent power, success, and also good fortune
throughout Chinese culture

https://storify.com/addictedpr881/why-was-china-called-the-red-dragon-ofasia

Literary Background

Confucianism is pervasive

Confucianism centers on the Classics

The ideal hero in Chinese literature is a man who has an excellent

memory, a scholar

Poetry is the heart of Chinese literature

Literary Background

The Book of Songs, (Shih Ching/ The Odes) first compiled

in the 6th century B.C.

Shih means song words

Ching can mean classic or traditional or in literature, writings or

scripture

The oldest collection of Chinese poetry and is considered a model of

poetic expression and moral insight.

Poems include court songs that entertained the aristocracy, story

songs that recounted Chou dynasty legends, hymns that were sung in
the temples accompanied by dance and brief folk songs and ballads.

Literary Background

The following poem is the 88th poem appearing in Mao's

ordering of theShih Ching, but is often numbered 20th in
English versions of that anthology.

It reminds one ofcarpe diem poems in the Western tradition.

In its elegant simplicity, it captures the teenage angst a young

girl might feel, regretting a choice made out of timidity, longing
for the road not taken.

About the Author: Confucius

Kong Qui, better known as Confucius, was born in

551 B.C. in the Lu state of China (near present-day
Qufu).

His teachings, preserved in theAnalects, focused on

creating ethical models of family and public
interaction, and setting educational standards.

He died in 479 B.C. Confucianism later became the

official imperial philosophy of China, and was
extremely influential during the Han, Tang and Song
dynasties.

Study Guides

Identify the general mood of the poem

Describe the emotion of the speaker

Talk about the general view of the poem

Unlocking Difficulties

Splendid - magnificent; very impressive.

Brocade - a rich fabric, usually silk, woven

with a raised pattern, typically with gold or
silver thread.

A Very Handsome Gentleman

I am wearing my unlined coat, my coat all of brocade.
I am wearing my unlined skirt, my skirt all of brocade!
Oh uncles, young and old,
Let me go with him to his home!

A very handsome gentleman

Waited for me in the lane;
I am sorry I did not go with him.
A very splendid gentleman
Waited for me in the hall;
I am sorry I did not keep company with
him.

I am wearing my unlined skirt, my skirt all of brocade.

And my unlined coat, my coat all of brocade.
Oh uncles, young and old,
Let me go with him to his home!