1: What is Literature?
- Page ID
- 338754
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
- identify some of the defining qualities of literature.
- begin analyzing how they would categorize works within the literary spectrum.
- challenge the historical ways in which works have or have not been classified as literature.
- discuss the benefits of reading and writing about literature.
- 1.1: What is Literature?
- This page explores the definitions of literature, distinguishing "Big L Literature" with lasting merit from "little l literature" lacking depth. It emphasizes the subjective nature of these classifications and the significance of the literary canon while acknowledging systemic inequities in representation.
- 1.2: Why Read and Write About Literature?
- This page discusses the decline in literature reading among adults and teens in the digital age, referencing Sir Philip Sidney's defense of poetry's unique ability to enrich understanding through imagination. It highlights the evolving nature of literature, including modern media, while emphasizing its importance for empathy, mental health, and critical thinking.
- 1.3: What is Literary Analysis?
- This page discusses literary analysis, emphasizing the importance of examining both the content and form of literature. It advocates for close reading and critical thinking, prompting readers to explore themes, motifs, and cultural significance. The process involves multiple readings, note-taking, and identifying patterns, which can reveal deeper meanings and enhance understanding of the work and the human experience.
- 1.4: The Literary Analysis Essay
- This page discusses the transition from reading literature to writing a literary analysis paper, highlighting the transferable writing skills gained. It defines literary analysis as breaking down works to grasp their meaning, while acknowledging the challenges students face in the writing process, including information gathering, perspective formation, brainstorming, idea organization, evidence integration, and clear articulation within formatting guidelines.
- 1.5: Determining an Effective Essay Structure
- This page emphasizes that literary analysis essays should focus on thematic points rather than following the chronological structure of the work. Unlike simple summaries, successful essays prioritize major concepts, using relevant plot details for support. Effective organization includes logical idea flow, clear paragraphing, and a focus on analysis, leading readers to new insights about the text.
- 1.6: Literary Analysis Arguments
- Analysis means to break something down in order to better understand how it works. To analyze a literary work is to pull it apart and look at its discrete components to see how those components contribute to the meaning and/or effect of the whole. Thus, a literary analysis argument considers what has been learned in analyzing a work (What do the parts look like and how do they function?) and forwards a particular perspective on their contribution to the whole.
- 1.7: Inferences in Literature
- This page elaborates on making inferences as logical conclusions derived from evidence in literature, emphasizing the role of imagery and tone. It discusses how effective readers utilize context and prior knowledge to derive meaning, with examples illustrating this process.
- 1.8: What Is Literary Theory?
- This page explores the differences between theories in natural sciences and literature. In sciences, theories focus on problem-solving, while in literature, they guide interpretation through descriptive models addressing literature's definition and context. Various literary theories prioritize different aspects, resulting in diverse interpretations of texts. The book introduces key literary theories using sample student papers to illustrate their practical application in literary analysis.
- 1.9: What is Literary Criticism?
- This page examines literary criticism, which fosters imagination and empathy through rigorous interpretation of texts. It includes various approaches like Feminism, New Historicism, and Reader-Response. Critics analyze elements such as character and plot while considering personal and situational influences. The page also reviews critiques of specific works, emphasizing the significance of evidence-based analysis and referencing other critics for a deeper understanding.
- 1.10: Why Study Literary Theory?
- Gerald Graff's "Disliking Books at an Early Age" details his initial disconnection with literature, transformed by engaging debates on "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." He highlights the importance of critical discussions, demonstrating that literature conveys shared human experiences. Graff encourages students to interact with texts through literary theories, providing a toolkit for deeper interpretation and participation in literary discourse.
- 1.11: Literary Terms - A Guide
- This page explores poetry metre, detailing its rhythmic structure including types like duple and triple metres, and various forms from monometer to octameter. It also discusses metrical variations and free verse, alongside other poetic elements such as stanzas, enjambment, and different rhyme types. Additionally, it covers poetic devices and figurative language including metaphor, simile, and sound devices like alliteration.
- 1.12: Conclusion to the Introduction
- This page emphasizes the importance of considering readers' questions and fostering collaborative discourse in academic writing. It suggests using differing viewpoints to enhance personal arguments with evidence rather than viewing disagreements as conflicts. Acknowledging the multiplicity of literary interpretations and engaging with various theories can lead to more persuasive arguments and active participation in scholarly conversations.