MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

At the end of this module, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of literature;

2. Enumerate and distinguish the different literary genres;
3. Cite example of each literary work and its classification.

Why is the study of literature important? What skills do

students learn through reading literature?
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Importance of Literature

Literature is the foundation

of life. It places an emphasis on
many topics from human tragedies
to tales of the ever-popular search
for love. While it is physically
written in words, these words come
alive in the imagination of the
mind, and its ability to
comprehend the complexity or
simplicity of the text. Literature
enables people to see through the
lenses of others, and sometimes even inanimate objects; therefore, it becomes a
looking glass into the world as others view it. It is a journey that is inscribed in
pages, and powered by the imagination of the reader. Ultimately, literature has
provided a gateway to teach the reader about life experiences from even the
saddest stories to the most joyful ones that will touch their hearts.

From a very young age, many are exposed to literature in the most
stripped down form: picture books and simple texts that are mainly for the sole
purpose of teaching the alphabet etc. Although these are not nearly as complex
as an 800-page sci-fi novel, it is the first step that many take towards the literary
world. Progressively, as people grow older, they explore other genres of books,
ones that propel them towards curiosity of the subject, and the overall book.
Reading and being given the keys to the literature world prepares individuals
from an early age to discover the true importance of literature: being able to
compare physically speaking, it is impossible to be someone else. It is impossible
to switch bodies with another human being, and it is impossible to completely
understand the complexity of their world. Literature, as an alternative, is the
closest thing the world has to being able to understand another person whole-
heartedly. For stance, a novel about a treacherous war, written in the perspective
of a soldier, allows the reader to envision their memories, their pain, and their
emotions without actually being that person. Consequently, literature can act as
a time machine, enabling individuals to go into a specific time period of the story,
into the mind and soul of the protagonist.
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With the ability to see the world with a pair of fresh eyes, it triggers the
reader to reflect upon their own lives. Reading a material that is relatable to the
reader may teach them morals and encourage them to practice good judgment.
This can be proven through public school systems, where the books that are
emphasized the most tend to have a moral-teaching purpose behind the story.
An example would be William Shakespeare’s stories, where each one is meant to
be reflective of human nature – both the good and bad. Consequently, this can
promote better judgment of situations, so the reader does not find themselves in
the same circumstances as perhaps those in the fiction world. Henceforth,
literature is proven to not only be reflective of life, but it can also be used as a
guide for the reader to follow and practice good judgment from.

The world today is ever-changing. Never before has life been so chaotic
and challenging for all. Life before literature was practical and predictable, but
in present day, literature has expanded into countless libraries and into the
minds of many as the gateway for comprehension and curiosity of the human
mind and the world around them. Literature is of great importance and is studied
upon as it provides the ability to connect human relationships, and define what
is right and what is wrong. Therefore, words are alive more than ever before.

FORMS OF LITERATURE

LITERATURE

ORAL LITERATURE WRITTEN LITERATURE VISUAL LITERATURE

PROSE POETRY

Fiction Non-Fiction Narrative Lyric Drama

 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

Literature (from Latin litterae (plural); letter) is the art of written work, and is
not confined to published sources (although, under some circumstances, unpublished
sources can also be exempt). The word literature literally means "things made from
letters" and the term "letters" is sometimes used to signify "literature," as in the figures
of speech "arts and letters" and "man of letters." The four major classifications of
literature are poetry, prose, fiction, and non-fiction.
I. FORMS OF LITERATURE
A. ORAL LITERATURE – literary works transmitted from one generation to
another verbally.
B. WRITTEN LITERATURE – literary works in printed form
C. VISUAL LITERATURE – literary works presented in front of an audience
DIVISIONS OF LITERATURE

To understand these works better, we need to look at them by studying the

Divisions of Literature. Gleaning from the image above, we can see the various
divisions and the corresponding Literary Genres.

A. Prose is a division of literature which

covers a literary work that is spoken or
written within the common flow of language
in sentences and in paragraphs which gives
information, relate events, express ideas, or
present opinions. Under this division, we
have two sub-divisions: the Fiction and Non-
Fiction.

1. Fiction is a sub-division of prose which covers a

literary work of imaginative narration, either oral or
written, fashioned to entertain and to make readers
think and more so, to feel. It normally came from the
writer’s imagination. Some Literary Genres that fall
under fiction include:
A. Legend is a prose fiction which attempts to
explain the origin of things, places, objects that we
see around us. Example: The Legend of Makahiya,
Why the Sea is Salty.
 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

2. Short story is a short prose fiction narrative

depicting a simple characterization and plot
conveying a moral which can be read in one
sitting. Example: The Diamond Necklace by Guy
de Maupassant, Footnote to Youth by Jose
Garcia-Villa.

A. Novel is a very long prose narrative

depicting complex characterization and plot
which is usually divided into
chapters. Example: Les Miserables by Victor
Hugo, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

B. Novella is a long prose narrative similar to

but shorter than a novel but longer than a
short story. It is also known
as novelette. Example: Treasure Island by
Robert Louis Stevenson, The Call of the
Wild by Jack London.

C. Fable is a short prose fiction narrative

depicting animal characters which espouses a
lesson in life. Example: The Lion and the Mouse,
The Monkey and the Turtle.
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D. Parable is a short prose

allegorical narrative which
presents a philosophical
outlook in
life. Example: The Parable
of the Sower, The Prodigal
Son.

3. Non-Fiction is a sub-division of prose which covers a literary work of “real

life” narration or exposition based on history and facts whose main thrust is
intellectual appeal to convey facts, theories, generalizations, or concepts
about a particular topic. Some literary genres that fall under non-fiction
include:
A. Biography is a prose non-fiction detailing
the life of a person written by another
person. Example: The Great Malayan about the
Life of Jose Rizal written by Carlos Quirino.
Sometimes, a biography may be written by the
same person, hence, it is
called autobiography. Example: Memoirs written
by Juan Ponce Enrile was a lengthy narrative about
his own life.

B. History is a prose non-fiction record of

events that transpired in the
past. Example: The History of Filipino
People written by Gregorio Zaide.

C. News is a prose non-fiction narrative of

events that happen every day. The newspapers
are written for this purpose. Example: Philippine
Daily Inquirer.
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D. Diary is a personal account of significant

events that happen in the life of a person.

E. Anecdote is a prose non-

fiction narrative that depicts a
single incident in a person’s
life. Example: The Moth and
the Lamp.
F. Essay is prose non-fiction which is a formal
treatment of an issue written from the writer’s
personal point of view. Example: On the
Indolence of the Filipinos written by Jose Rizal.

B. Poetry is a division of
literature works which covers
a literary work expressed in
verse, measure, rhythm,
sound, and imaginative
language and creates an
emotional response to an
experience, feeling or fact.
Traditionally, it has three
sub-divisions namely: Narrative poetry, Lyric poetry, and Dramatic poetry.

1. Narrative Poetry is a sub-division of poetry which tells or narrates a story.

It may be lengthy as an epic, or short as a ballad and typically measured as
a metrical tale.
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A. Epic is a narrative poem which

accounts the heroic exploits of a
community’s hero, usually involving
superhuman
abilities. Example: Beowulf an Anglo-
Saxon Epic poem

B. Ballad is a narrative poem

which depicts a single incident
that transpired in a person’s life. It
is usually recited during
gatherings in the past but it may
be sung in the present
days. Example: Forevermore by
Side A Band.
C. Metrical Tale is a narrative poem which narrates a story in a “metered”
or “measured” number of syllables hence it was called metrical. There
are two popular variations in Philippine Literature, the Awit and Corrido.
i. Awit is a romance metrical tale of
dodecasyllabic measure which is
recited during formal performances or
informal
gatherings. Example: Florante at
Laura by Francisco “Balagtas”
Baltazar.

ii. Corrido is a martial or adventure metrical tale of

octosyllabic measure which is recited for recreational
purposes. Example: Ibong Adarna by Jose Corazon
dela Cruz.
 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

2. Lyric Poetry is a sub-division of poetry which features poems intended to

be sung with the accompaniment of the musical instrument
called “lyre” hence, lyric poetry. The following are the types of lyric poems.
A. Song is a lyric poem of various theme
which is meant to be sung in its
entirety. Example: Bayan Ko written by
Jose De Jesus, arranged by Constancio
De Guzman, and sung by Freddie
Aguilar.

B. Ode is a lyric poem of noble and exalted

emotion which has dignified
countenance. Example: Ode to the West
Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

C. Elegy is a lyric poem of sad theme

such lamentation for the dead, longing for a
missing love, and a grief for things beyond
one’s control. Example: Elegy Written in a
Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray.

D. Sonnet is a lyric poem of 14

iambic pentameter lines usually
about love and beautiful
themes. Example: Sonnet to
Laura by Francesco Petrarch.
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E. Idyll is a lyric poem celebrating the tranquil and beautiful

landscapes of rural and country settings. Example: Beside the Pasig
River by Jose Rizal.
3. Dramatic Poetry is a sub-division of poetry which features poems meant to
be performed on stage. Theater plays and dramatic presentations belong to
this type.
A. Tragedy is a dramatic poetry which
features a hero whose hubris or
shortcoming eventually causes his
downfall or defeat often ending in a
very sad
conclusion. Example: Hamlet by
William Shakespeare and The
Three Rats by Wilfrido Ma.
Guerero.

B. Comedy is a dramatic poetry

which is similar with tragedy except
that the hero triumphs and overcomes
the odds towards the end and emerges
victoriously. Example: The Twelfth
Night by William Shakespeare.

C. Melodrama is a dramatic poetry

which is a combination of the
elements of tragedy and comedy yet
ends in a happy note. Example: A
Midsummer Night’s Dream by William
Shakespeare
 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

D. Farce is a dramatic poetry which is

an exaggerated comedy that aims to
elicit laughter hence,
relaxation. Examples: Importance of
Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

E. Social Play is a dramatic poetry

which tackles social issues and problems
such as poverty, corruption,
discrimination, racism, sexism, among
others, with an aim to bring awareness
and bring about positive
change. Example: Zsazsa Zaturnah by
Carlo Vergara.

ELEMENTS OF A SHORT STORY

1. What Is a Short Story?

A short story is a work of

short, narrative prose
that is usually centered
on one single event. It is
limited in scope and has
an introduction, body
and conclusion.
Although a short story
has much in common
with a novel, it is written
with much greater precision. Any time you are asked to write an essay that is
based on a piece of fiction, the following guide and questions may help you.Once
 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

you examine these narrative elements, you want to look for PATTERNS, or
MOTIFS, in the work. Pay attention to words & images that are related

2. Setting

Setting is a description of where and

when the story takes place. In a
short story there are fewer settings
compared to a novel. The time is
more limited. Ask yourself the
following questions:

 How is the setting created?

Consider geography, weather,
time of day, social conditions,
etc.

 What role does setting play in the story? Is it an important part of the plot
or theme? Or is it just a backdrop against which the action takes place?

 Does the setting change? If so, how?

Study the time period, which is also part of the setting, and ask yourself the
following:

 When was the story written?

 Does it take place in the present, the past, or the future?

3. Characterization / Character

Characterization deals with how the

characters in the story are described.
In short stories there are usually
fewer characters compared to a novel.
They usually focus on one central
character or protagonist. Ask yourself
the following:
 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

 Who is the main character?

 Who or what is the antagonist?

 Are the main character and other characters described through dialogue
– by the way they speak (dialect or slang for instance)?

 Has the author described the characters by physical appearance, thoughts

and feelings, and interaction (the way they act towards others)?

 Are they static characters who do not change?

 Are they dynamic characters who change?

 What type of characters are they? What qualities stand out? Are they
stereotypes?

 Are the characters believable?

 Do the characters symbolize something?

4. Plot and
Structure

The plot is the main

sequence of events that
make up the story. In
short stories the plot is
usually centered
around one experience
or significant moment.
Consider the following
questions:

 What is the most

important event?

 How is the plot structured? Is it linear, chronological or does it move

around?

 Is the plot believable?

 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

CONFLICT: Conflict or tension is

usually the heart of the short story
and is related to the main character.
In a short story there is usually one
main struggle.

 How would you describe the

main conflict?

 Is it an internal conflict within

the character?

 Is it an external conflict caused

by the surroundings or environment
the main character finds himself/herself in?

CLIMAX: The climax is the point of greatest tension or intensity in the short
story. It can also be the point where events take a major turn as the story races
towards its conclusion.

 When does the climax take place?

RESOLUTION: The resolution is the end of the story. It focuses on how the
conflict is ultimately resolved.

 Are the closing sentences significant? How does the end relate or connect
to the opening?

5. Narrator and Point of View

The narrator is the person telling the

story. Consider this question: Are the
narrator and the main character the
same?

By point of view we mean from whose

eyes the story is being told. Short
stories tend to be told through one
character’s point of view. The following
are important questions to consider:
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 Who is the narrator or speaker in the story?

 Does the author speak through the main character?

 Is the story written in the first person “I” point of view?

 Is the story written in a detached third person “he/she” point of view?

6. Style

The author’s style has to do with his or her vocabulary, use of imagery, tone, or
the feeling of the story. It has to do with the author’s attitude toward the subject.
In some short stories the tone can be ironic, humorous, cold, or dramatic.

 Is the author’s language full of figurative language: metaphors, symbols,

personification, etc.?

 What images are used?

 What is the tone or mood of the story?

7. Theme

The theme is built on a topic,

such as death, hope, the
American dream, etc. and how
the topic affects the human
condition, society, or life. As a
reader, focus on what the story
is revealing about the
topic. The theme should be
expressed as a statement, a
general observation about human nature.

To help you write a thematic statement, consider the following:

 What is the story about – its general topic(s) (IE: money, wealth, death,
etc.)?

 How is the topic developed? (Consider how characters change, symbols,

climax, etc.)
 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

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