2. DEFINITION OF LITERATURE
The word literature is derived from the
Latin term Litera which means letter. It has
been defined by various writers.
Because literature deals with ideas,
thoughts and emotions of man, literature
can be said to be the story of man. Man’s
loves, griefs, thoughts, dreams, and
aspirations coached in a beautiful
language is Literature.
3. In order to know the history of a nation’s
spirit, one must read its literature.
Brother Azurin defines Literature that it
expresses the feelings of people to
society, to the government, to his
surroundings, to his Fellowmen and to his
Divine Creator.
Webster defines literature as anything that
is printed, as long as it is related to the
ideas and feelings of people, whether it is
true, or just a product of one’s imagination.
Salazar and Nazal says that true literature
is a piece of written work which is undying.
4. In response to his everyday efforts to live, to
be happy in his environment and, after
struggles, to reach his Creator.
6. UNIVERSALITY
Great literature is timeless and timely.
Forever relevant, it appeals to one and all,
anytime, anywhere, because it deals with
elemental feelings, fundamental truths and
universal conditions.
7. Artistry
This
is the quality that appeals to our
sense of beauty.
8. Intellectual Value
A literary works stimulates thought. It
enriches our mental life by making us
realize fundamental truths about life and
human nature.
9. Suggestiveness
This is the quality associated with the
emotional power of literature.
Great literature moves us deeply and stirs
our feeling and imagination, giving and
evoking visions above and beyond the
plane of ordinary life and experience.
10. Spiritual Value
Literature elevates the spirit by bringing
out moral values which makes a better
persons.
The capacity to inspire is part of the
spiritual value of literature.
11. Permanence
A great work of literature endures.
It can be read again and again as each
reading gives fresh delight and new
insights and opens a new world of
meaning and experience.
Its appeal is lasting.
12. Style
Thisis the peculiar way in which
writers sees life, forms his ideas and
expresses them.
13. Why do we need to study
Philippine Literature?
14. We study Philippine Literature so that we
can better appreciate our literary heritage.
Through the study of Philippine Literature,
we can trace our rich heritage of ideas and
handed down to us from our forefathers.
Understand that we have a noble
traditions which can serve as the means to
assimilate other cultures.
Realize literary limitations conditioned by
certain historical factors and we can take
steps to overcome them.
Manifest our deep concern for our own
literature.
15. Literature and History
Literature and history are closely
interrelated. In discovering history of a
race, a country, we basically understand
their own culture and traditions, hence the
written customs and traditions of a
country, the dreams and aspirations of its
people is called Literature.
History can also be written down and this
too, is literature.
History therefore is an integral part of
literature.
16. Literature and history however also have
their differences. Literature may not
necessarily be based on true events but
history is.
17. Literary Compositions that
influenced the world
The Bible or the Sacred Writings – This
has become the basis of Christianity
originating from Palestine and Greece.
Koran- The Muslim Bible originating from
Arabia.
The Iliad and Odyssey – These have been
the source of myths and legends of
Greece. They were written by Homer.
18. The Mahabharata- The longest epic of the
world. It contains the history of religion of
India.
Canterbury Tales- It depicts the religion and
customs of the English in the early days.
This originated from England and written by
Chaucer.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin- by Harriet Beecher
Stowe of the US. This depicted the sad fate
of slaves; this became the basis of
democracy later on.
The Divine Comedy – by Dante Alighieri
This shows the religion and customs of the
19. El Cid Compeador – This shows the cultural
characteristics of the Spaniards and their
national history.
The Song of Roland – This includes Doce
Pares and Ronscesvalles of France. It tells
about the Golden age of Christianity in
France.
The Book of the Dead – This includes the
cult of Osiris and the mythology and
theology of Egypt.
One Thousand and One Nights or the
Arabian Nights – From Arabia and Persia
(Iran) It shows the ways of government, of
industries and of the society of the Arabs
21. Types of Prose
Novel- This is a long narrative divided into
chapters.
Short Story – It is a fictional narrative in
prose consisting of a series of events
designed to create a single dominant
effect. It is intended to be read in one
sitting
Plays- These are presented on a stage, is
divided into acts and each acts has many
22. Essay- is a prose composition with a
focused subject of discussion or a long
systematic discourse. The word essay is
taken from the French infinitive essayer to
try or to attempt
Biography – This deals with the life of a
person.
Fairytale – Is a type of narrative that
relates the lives and adventures of
supernatural spirit.
23. Folktale – Is a narrative filled with the
superstition, anecdotes, proverbs,
legends, and customs of a particular
group, race or geographical region.
Myth – is a traditional story of unknown
authorship, ostensively with historical
basis, but serving usually to explain some
phenomena of nature, the origin of man
and customs. Myths usually involve the
exploit of gods and goddesses.
Parable- is a short single story, usually of
an occurrence of a familiar kind, from
which moral or religious lesson may be