Lit 3 10:30 – 12:00
What is Literature?
Poems, novels, and stories; these are some of the things that first came to my mind upon pondering on the question 'What is Literature?'. And just lately I have known that literature also includes songs, speeches, plays, and many others in written and spoken forms. I have also known that things that are produced out of creative imagination can be referred as literary works which are the ones that comprise literature. Considering this description of what literature is, the coverage of literature seems very puzzling. If literary works are those produced out of creative imagining, then it would directly point to fictional works. But then, there are also...show more content... Take for example the views of two individuals coming from different places on anovel based on the culture of one. It would likely be the same if their culture and beliefs are quiet related but if not, then they would surely have different understandings on certain parts of that novel. Hence, defining literature as those considered by people as 'literature' is questionable.
Eagleton also associated literature as any kind of works which are valued highly by people. But then again, since people may have different perceptions on things, one may value highly a certain work while another person may consider it just as a plain writing. As stated by Ms. Pinzon, a literature professor, a personal letter can be an example of this. The recipient of the letter can be expected to really value the letter while her classmate may not. Hence, this can't define literature as a whole. Then, what really is literature? Many great critics have tried formulating a fixed definition of literature but have failed to do so. In the rise of every possible definition of what literature is, counter arguments also rise. Literature, though it seems impossible to enumerate everything it covers, play an important role in every individual's life. One can influence using literature or be influenced by it. Examples of these are the novels made by our very own national hero, Jose Rizal – the Noli Me Tangeri and El Filibusterismo. During his time, Rizal has
Science and Literature
Science can be an inspiration for literature. Normally we think of science as one kind of human investigation and literature as another, and that the two do not have anything in common, yet in science fiction we have the bringing together of the these two disciplines, either from the perspective of the literary imagination or that of the scientific mind, Fred Hoyle and Michael Crichton, for example. Science examines the nature of the real world and seeks by means of technology and hard logic to gain an understanding of it; it works with evidence. Literature seeks for truth, which does not necessarily lie in the real world around us but rather in our minds and our imaginations; it works with...show more content...
We have alternative means of propelling our engines, like hydrogen for instance, which could do the job without polluting the air we breathe. So instead of blaming science and technology, we as citizens within a society need first to be more educated in science to be able to understand the causes of problems and we need to understand how to use science to seek better alternatives like the above, and our leaders, our politicians, need to understand this approach as well. The Andromeda Strain illustrates this very well. For example, the scientists in the film request that the President bomb the town infected by a virus from outer space, but the President, through his representative, postpones the decision to act in order to discuss with his cabinet the pro's and con's of taking action. Not only does the representative deny an immediate response, in spite of the scientists' insistence that there is great immediate danger, but he does so with a sarcasm that reflects his lack of respect for the scientists. This is a clear illustration of Bishop's point that "science today is increasingly mistrusted and under attack" (237). For example, politicians, and these politicians, through their ignorance of the scientific mind, will not be supportive of the very scientists who can save them and the world.
18th Century Literature
The 18th century is a period of great literary works. The styles are different throughout the period, but the unity of the work is still present. Much of this period focused on public and general themes, until the Pre–Romantic era when literary works began to focus upon personal expression. 18th century literature can be broken down into three main parts: the Restoration, the Age of Pope, and Pre–Romantics.
The literature of the Restoration period covers a time span from Charles's recovery of the throne to the years until the expulsion of James II in 1688 or until the death of John Dryden in 1700. The literature of the Restoration was characterized by...show more content... This literary time period also included works from John Dryden, who used elegance and cleverness in his writings. This period ended about 1700, and enabled a new age of literature.
In literary history, the first half of the 18th century is known as the Age of the Pope. In this age, the writers expressed views of the public and restrained from writing personal topics or expressions. In the Age of the Pope or the Neoclassical Age, most of the literary themes were of social, political, and moral life. The Rape of the Lock and Epigrams by Alexander Pope, and "A Modest Proposal" and Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift are some examples from the Age of Pope or the Neoclassical age. Most of the literary works in this period used satirical styles to express a concern in society. "Puffs, powders, patches, Bibles, billet–doux", from The Rape of the Lock shows an example of pathos a satirical device used in this age of literature. Jonathan Swift also uses satire in Gulliver's Travels to mock the Parliament, and in "Modest Proposal" he writes about eating children as a solution to a socioeconomic problem. After the writings, literature began to focus on private expressions rather than public thoughts and emotions.
The Age of Johnson or the Pre–romantic era was shown in various ways. Characteristics of the age included ballads, a new taste for ruins, Gothic castles
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Literature in Life
Literature is the expressed influence of communities and the individuals in societies. Literature spans culture, beliefs, and attributes the necessary component for corroborating how literature reflects, and portrays communities. The language from literature helps gives culture explanation of live in different society. Literature that is defined by the culture aspect, gives details about such fascinating and affluent information or context. Certain works, and words used in literature can help the reader understand and describe the sense of the community being read in the story. In addition, it is not uncommon for people to write about an imaginary community that is based from their own community. Community...show more content...
Another example of how a community can affect an author's writing is illustrated in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" (DiYanni, 2007, p. 79–84). The story takes place in the South after the Civil War. Faulkner's writing is extremely eloquent and deliberate. The time period also comes out through the language in his writing referring to African–Americans as Negros and to Northerners as Yankees. It soon becomes obvious that Faulkner must have been raised in the same time and place this story takes place. Communities do not only affect the language of the author but they also can provide the community of the author's work. Some communities act like an extended family and an author may want to show that aspect. Sometimes an author may wish to write about a close–knit community that knows everyone else's business. Often a writer will write about their community, illustrating certain cultural aspects that they hold dear. All of these can be examples of the writer's community coming to life in their own stories. In "A Rose for Emily," (DiYanni, 2007, p. 79–84) Faulkner shows us a community that is very involved with each other. They are constantly talking about what Miss Emily does, what she says, and whom she sees. The author speaks for the
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