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World Literature
World Literature
➔ Vast and dynamic field. Encompassing a variety of concepts that help us
understand and appreciate literary work from different cultures and periods.
1. Transcultural perspective - an approach that emphasizes the understanding and

appreciation of multiple cultural viewpoints and practices. It goes beyond the
boundaries of a single culture or the idea of comparing cultures to instead focus on
the intersections, exchanges, and interactions among cultures.
A. It incorporates five interrelated but distinct dimensions:

a. understanding the dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression;
b. culture (recognizing the importance of culture at all levels of practice);
c. positionality and self-reflexivity;
d. respectful partnership; and
e. cultural competence (translating principles into culturally responsive practice).
2. Diverse Languages and Cultures - How language shapes thought and cultural identity.
Key Concepts:
● Cultural Hybridity: The blending of cultural elements from different traditions (e.g.,
postcolonial literature).
● Intertextuality: How texts reference or are influenced by other texts across
cultures.
Examples:
● Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: Examines the clash between traditional
Igbo culture and colonial influences.
● The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy: Explores the intersections of caste,
family, and history in India.
3. Global Human Experience - Exploration of themes that resonate across cultures, such as
love, loss, identity, and conflict.
Cultural Specificity vs. Universality: Understanding how specific cultural contexts

inform universal human experiences.
Examples:
● The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Addresses themes of friendship, betrayal,

and redemption within the context of Afghan history
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What makes a literary work “Great”

1) Universality
2) Relevance/Relatability
3) Emotional Impact
4) Innovative Language and Style
5) Cultural and Historical Significance
6) Depth and Layers of Meaning
7) Aesthetic Excellence
8) Complex Characters
Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy

Inferno (Cantos 1-4)
Overview
➔ Dante's Inferno is a profound exploration of sin, redemption, and the human
condition. In the first four cantos, we are introduced to Dante's journey through
Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. This study guide will help you navigate the
key themes, characters, and important concepts.
Canto 1: The Dark Wood

● Setting: Dante finds himself lost in a dark wood, symbolizing sin and confusion.
● Key Themes:
○ Sin and Redemption: The journey represents the soul's path to
redemption.
○ Fear and Despair: Dante's initial feelings of fear reflect the human
condition when lost in sin.
● Important Characters:
○ Dante: The protagonist, representing humanity.
○ Virgil: Dante's guide, symbolizing reason and wisdom.
Canto 2: The Call to Adventure

● Dante's Hesitation: He fears he is unworthy of the journey.
● Virgil's Assurance: Virgil explains that Beatrice, Dante's beloved, has requested
his help, emphasizing divine intervention.
● Key Quote: Virgil reassures Dante that his journey is part of a greater divine plan.
Canto 3: The Gates of Hell
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● Inscription on the Gates: "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." This sets the
tone for the despair found in Hell.
● The Souls of the Indifferent: Dante encounters souls who lived without making
choices, punished by being eternally chased by wasps and hornets.
● Symbolism: The indifferent souls represent those who fail to take a stand in life.
Canto 4: The First Circle of Hell (Limbo)

● Limbo: The place for virtuous non-Christians and unbaptized infants.
● Notable Figures: Dante meets historical and literary figures such as Homer,
Socrates, and Julius Caesar.
● Key Concept: Limbo represents the idea of unfulfilled potential; these souls are
not punished but are denied the vision of God.
OEDIPUS REX
Overview
➔ Oedipus Rex, a tragedy by Sophocles, explores themes of fate, free will, and the nature
of guilt. The story follows Oedipus, the King of Thebes, who seeks to rid his city of a
plague, only to discover his tragic past.
Characters
● Oedipus: King of Thebes, determined to save his city.
● Iokaste (Jocasta): Wife of Oedipus and widow of King Laios.
● Kreon: Brother of Iokaste, a prince of Thebes.
● Teiresias: A blind seer who reveals the truth to Oedipus.
● Chorus: Represents the Theban elders, providing commentary on the action.
Key Themes
● Fate vs. Free Will: Oedipus's attempts to escape his fate lead him directly to it.
● Blindness and Sight: Teiresias is physically blind yet sees the truth, while Oedipus, who
has sight, is blind to his reality.
● Guilt and Responsibility: Oedipus’s journey reveals the consequences of his actions and
the inevitability of fate.
Plot Summary
➢ Prologue: The play opens with Oedipus addressing the citizens of Thebes, who are
suffering from a plague. He vows to find the cause of their suffering and save the city 1.
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➢ Rising Action: Oedipus sends Kreon to the Oracle at Delphi to seek guidance. Kreon
returns with the message that the plague will end when the murderer of Laios is found
and punished 2.
➢ Climax: Teiresias is summoned and reveals that Oedipus himself is the murderer he
seeks. Oedipus, in disbelief, accuses Kreon of conspiring against him 3.
➢ Falling Action: As the truth unfolds, Oedipus learns that he has killed his father, Laios,
and married his mother, Iokaste. This realization leads to his downfall 4.
➢ Conclusion: Iokaste takes her own life upon discovering the truth, and Oedipus blinds
himself in despair. He chooses to exile himself from Thebes to prevent further suffering .
Important Quotes
"The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves." 5

"I, Oedipus, damned in his birth, in his marriage damned." 6
Character Analysis
● Oedipus: A tragic hero whose determination to uncover the truth leads to his ruin. His
journey illustrates the conflict between human agency and fate.
● Jocasta: Represents the theme of denial; her attempts to dismiss prophecies ultimately
lead to tragedy.
● Teiresias: Embodies wisdom and foresight, contrasting with Oedipus's ignorance.
Tulang, Humphrey P.

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GREAT BOOKS

1. Transcultural perspective - an approach that emphasizes the understanding and

A. It incorporates five interrelated but distinct dimensions:

Cultural Specificity vs. Universality: Understanding how specific cultural contexts

● The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Addresses themes of friendship, betrayal,

What makes a literary work “Great”

Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy

Canto 1: The Dark Wood

Canto 2: The Call to Adventure

Canto 3: The Gates of Hell

Canto 4: The First Circle of Hell (Limbo)

"The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves." 5

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