1. Unit One African Literature

2. Sumerians Produced the world’s oldest literature of record (2100 B.C. – 1650 B.C.) Followed scribal tradition thus producing varying versions Often based texts off of historically accurate information provided in Christian and Hebrew Bibles

3. Religious Texts Christian Bible –66 books between New and Old Testaments –Founding text of Christian faiths Hebrew Bible –Divided into 3 parts: Torah (Law); Nebiim (Prophets); and Ketubim (Writings) –Composed of 39 books

4. The Bible Archetypal setting: time, place, or landscape feature that has similar significance for different peoples and therefore connects human experiences –A universe of opposites –A landscape that emerges from watery chaos –A circle that symbolizes completion –A great tree that connects heaven and earth

5. The Epic of Gilgamesh Epic: long narrative poem about a larger- than-life hero who is engaged in a dangerous journey (quest) that is important to the history of a nation or people Types: –Folk: recited or sung; oral tradition (griots) –Literary: written; borrows from folk

6. Elements of the Epic Hero: strong; brave; loyal; virtuous Conflict: struggle/obstacle that proves hero’s bravery/wisdom/virtue Heroic Quest: perilous journey in search of something or someone Divine Intervention: hero receives assistance from god(s) and/or supernatural power

7. Epic Conventions Invocation: opening prayer; states theme In medias res: “in the middle of things”; plunge into action and use flashback to fill gaps Elevated style: serious tone Epic similies: elaborate extended comparisons Epithets: stock descriptive words/phrases –Ex: gray-eyed goddess - Athena