LITERATURE Introduction to Humanities The Humanities Through the Arts kamesh kumar

Spoken language is the basic medium of literature. Literature is an art whose medium is language used to affect the imagination. Literature is an art whose medium is language used to affect the imagination. Words themselves can evoke a response even when they are spoken independently of a grammatical setting, such as a sentence. Words themselves can evoke a response even when they are spoken independently of a grammatical setting, such as a sentence. Fiction writers and poets share many of the techniques of literature because their effects depend on universal language art. Fiction writers and poets share many of the techniques of literature because their effects depend on universal language art.

Subject matter, Artistic Form, and Content We can describe the subject matter and form, We can describe the subject matter and form, But we can only point to the content, But we can only point to the content, For the content is being said. For the content is being said. There is no other way of saying it, There is no other way of saying it, Because to change even one word changes the sound and changing the sound changes the meaning and in turn, the content. Because to change even one word changes the sound and changing the sound changes the meaning and in turn, the content.

Literature as spoken language Treating literature as spoken language points up its relationship to other serial arts such as music, dance, and film. Treating literature as spoken language points up its relationship to other serial arts such as music, dance, and film. Literature happens in time. Literature happens in time. In order to perceive it, we must be aware of what is happening now, remember what happed before and anticipate what is to come. In order to perceive it, we must be aware of what is happening now, remember what happed before and anticipate what is to come.

A Work of Literature A work of literature is, in one sense, a construction of separable elements like architecture. A work of literature is, in one sense, a construction of separable elements like architecture. The details of a scene, a character or event, or a group of symbols can be conceived of as the bricks in the wall of literary structure. The details of a scene, a character or event, or a group of symbols can be conceived of as the bricks in the wall of literary structure. If one of these details is imperfectly perceived, our understanding of the function of that detail – and, in turn, of the total structure - will be incomplete. If one of these details is imperfectly perceived, our understanding of the function of that detail – and, in turn, of the total structure - will be incomplete.

The Literary Theme The theme (main idea) of a literary work is usually a structural decision, comparable to an architectural decisions. The theme (main idea) of a literary work is usually a structural decision, comparable to an architectural decisions. Decisions about the sound of the language, the characters, the events, the setting, Decisions about the sound of the language, the characters, the events, the setting, Are comparable to the decisions regarding the materials, size, shape, and landscape of architecture. Are comparable to the decisions regarding the materials, size, shape, and landscape of architecture.

Literature as works of elements It is helpful to think of literature as works composed of elements that can be discussed individually in order to gain a more thorough perception of them. It is helpful to think of literature as works composed of elements that can be discussed individually in order to gain a more thorough perception of them. And it is equally important to realize that the discussion of these individual elements leads to a fuller understanding of the whole structure. And it is equally important to realize that the discussion of these individual elements leads to a fuller understanding of the whole structure.

Literary Terms The Narrative and the Narrator The Narrative is a story told to an audience by a teller controlling the order of events and the emphasis those events receive. The Narrative is a story told to an audience by a teller controlling the order of events and the emphasis those events receive. Most Narratives concentrate upon the events. But some narratives have little action. Most Narratives concentrate upon the events. But some narratives have little action. Sometimes the Narrator is a character in the fiction…The author controls the narrator and through the narrator leads the reader. Sometimes the Narrator is a character in the fiction…The author controls the narrator and through the narrator leads the reader. And reveals depth of character through responses to action. And reveals depth of character through responses to action.

Literary Terms The symbol, simile, metaphor, images, and diction (word choices) are the main details of literary language that we will examine. The symbol, simile, metaphor, images, and diction (word choices) are the main details of literary language that we will examine. All these details are found in poetry, fiction, drama, and even the essay. All these details are found in poetry, fiction, drama, and even the essay.

Literary Terms Language has denotation: a literal level where words mean what they obviously say, Language has denotation: a literal level where words mean what they obviously say, And connotation: a subtler level at which words mean more than they obviously say. And connotation: a subtler level at which words mean more than they obviously say.

THE LYRIC The lyric structure is virtually always a poem, primarily reveals a limited but deep feeling about something or event. The lyric structure is virtually always a poem, primarily reveals a limited but deep feeling about something or event. The lyric is often associated with the feelings of the poet, although we have already seen that it is not difficult for poets to create narrators distinct from themselves and to explore hypothetical feelings. The lyric is often associated with the feelings of the poet, although we have already seen that it is not difficult for poets to create narrators distinct from themselves and to explore hypothetical feelings.

The Lyric cont’d If we participate we find ourselves caught up in the emotional situation of the lyric. If we participate we find ourselves caught up in the emotional situation of the lyric. Poets can understand and interpret emotions without necessarily undergoing them. Poets can understand and interpret emotions without necessarily undergoing them. The lyric has feeling – emotion, passion, or mood – as basic in its subject matter. The lyric has feeling – emotion, passion, or mood – as basic in its subject matter.

LITERARY DETAILS Literature with reference to structure, the overall order within every structure are details that need close examination in order to properly perceive the structure. Literature with reference to structure, the overall order within every structure are details that need close examination in order to properly perceive the structure. Literature uses language to reveal meanings that are usually absent from daily speech. Literature uses language to reveal meanings that are usually absent from daily speech. Image, metaphor, symbol and diction are central to literature of all genres. Image, metaphor, symbol and diction are central to literature of all genres.

LITERARY DETAILS THE IMAGE An image in language asks us to imagine or “picture” what is referred to or being described. An image in language asks us to imagine or “picture” what is referred to or being described. Most images appeal to our sense of sight, but sound, taste, odor, and touch are often involved. Most images appeal to our sense of sight, but sound, taste, odor, and touch are often involved. One of the most striking resources of language is its capacity to help us reconstruct in our imagination the “reality” of perceptions. One of the most striking resources of language is its capacity to help us reconstruct in our imagination the “reality” of perceptions.

LITERARY DETAILS The Metaphor Metaphor helps writers intensify language. Metaphor helps writers intensify language. Metaphor is a comparison designed to heighten our perception of the thing compared. Metaphor is a comparison designed to heighten our perception of the thing compared. Poets or writers will usually let us know which of the things compared is the main object of their attention. Poets or writers will usually let us know which of the things compared is the main object of their attention.

LITERARY DETAILS The Symbol The symbol is a further use of metaphor. The symbol is a further use of metaphor. Being a metaphor, it is a comparison between two things; but unlike most perceptual and conceptual metaphors, only one of the things compared is clearly stated. Being a metaphor, it is a comparison between two things; but unlike most perceptual and conceptual metaphors, only one of the things compared is clearly stated. The symbol is clearly stated, but what it is compared with (sometimes a very broad range of meanings) is only hinted at. The symbol is clearly stated, but what it is compared with (sometimes a very broad range of meanings) is only hinted at.

LITERARY DETAILS Symbols cont’d For instance, the white whale in Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick, is a symbol both in the novel and in the mind of Captain Ahab, who sees the whale as a symbol of all the malevolence and evil in a world committed to evil. For instance, the white whale in Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick, is a symbol both in the novel and in the mind of Captain Ahab, who sees the whale as a symbol of all the malevolence and evil in a world committed to evil. We may believer that the whale is simply a beast and not a symbol at all. We may believer that the whale is simply a beast and not a symbol at all.

LITERARY DETAILS DICTION Diction refers to the choice of words. Writing involves the choice of words, the term “diction’ is usually reserved for literary acts (speech as well as the written word) Writing involves the choice of words, the term “diction’ is usually reserved for literary acts (speech as well as the written word) Words chosen especially for their impact. Words chosen especially for their impact. “To be, or not to be.” “To be, or not to be.” The diction of a work of literature will sometimes make that work seem inescapable, as if there were no other way of saying the same thing. The diction of a work of literature will sometimes make that work seem inescapable, as if there were no other way of saying the same thing.