The

word literature is derived from the Latin

term Litera which means letter. It has been dened by various writers. Because literature deals with ideas, thoughts and emotions of man, literature can be said to be the story of man. Mans loves, griefs, thoughts, dreams, and aspirations coached in a beautiful language is Literature.

In order to know the history of a nations spirit, one must read its literature. Brother Azurin denes 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 denes 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 ones imagination. Salazar and Nazal says that true literature is a piece of written work which is undying. It expresses the feelings and emotions of people

In response to his everyday eorts to live, to be happy in his environment and, after struggles, to reach his Creator.

 Universality Artistry

Intellectual Value Suggestiveness Spiritual Value Permanence Style

 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.

 This is the quality that appeals to our

sense of beauty.

 A literary works stimulates thought. It

enriches our mental life by making us realize fundamental truths about life and human nature.

 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.

 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.

 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.

 This is the peculiar way in which writers

sees life, forms his ideas and expresses them.

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.

 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.

 Literature and history however also have

their dierences. Literature may not necessarily be based on true events but history is.

 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.

 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 Toms 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 Early Italians.

 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 and the Persians.

Literature

Prose

Poetry

PROSE
FORM LANGUAGE
Written in paragraph form Expressed in ordinary form

POETRY
Written in stanza or verse form Expressed in metrical, rhythmical and gurative language To the emotion

APPEAL AIM

To the intellect

To convince, Stir the imagination instruct, imitate and and set an idea of reect how life should be

 This is a long narrative divided into chapters The events are taken from true-to-life stories

and spans a long period of time. There are many characters involved. Examples: Without Seeing the Dawn by Stevan Javellana Dekada 70 by Lualhati Bautista

 This is a narrative involving one or more

characters , one plot and one single impression. Examples: The Laughter of My Father by Carlos Bulosan Dead Stars by Paz Marquez-Benitez How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife by Manuel E. Arguilla

 This is presented on stage, is divided into acts

and each act has many scenes. Examples: Three Rats by Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero Cadaver by Alberto S. Florentino Sa Pula, Sa Puti by Rodrigo Francisco

 These are ctitious narratives, usually about

origins. Examples: Legend of the Mermaid Legend of Tagaytay

 These are ctitious narratives which deal with

animals and inanimate things who speak and act like people. Have morals or lessons Examples: The Monkey and the Turtle The Two Cats and the Monkey

 This is a short entertaining account about an

amusing or interesting event or person. Its main aim is to bring out lessons to the reader. Example: The Moth and the Lamp

short literary composition which is expository in nature. The author shares some of his thoughts, feelings, experiences or observations on some aspects of life that has interested him.

 This is an account of a certain persons life

written by another.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY a written account of

mans life written by himself

 This is a report of everyday events in society,

government, science and industry (local, national, international).

 This is a formal treatment of a subject and is

intended to be spoken in public. It appeals to the intellect, to the will or to the emotions of the audience.

 A form of poetry which describes important events in life, either real or imaginary. A poem that tells a story.

 This is an extended narrative poem

about heroic exploits often under supernatural control. It may deal with heroes and gods. Two Kinds: 1. ANCIENT/POPULAR EPIC often without a denite author and is of slow growth 2. LITERARY/MODERN EPIC with a denite author

narrative poem consisting usually of a single series of connective events that are simple, and generally do not form a plot. Examples of these are simple idylls or home tales, love tales, tales of the supernatural or tales written for a strong moral purpose in verse form.

narrative poem that tells a story of adventure, love and chivalry. The typical hero is knight on a quest.

 Considered the shortest and simplest type of

narrative poetry. It has a simple structure and tells of a single incident. It is intended to be sung. Variations: love ballads, humorous, moral, historical or mythical ballads.

 Originally refers to that kind of poetry m e a n t t o b e s u n g t o t h e accompaniment of a lyre. Now, it applies to any type of poetry that expresses emotions and feelings of the poet. It is usually short, simple and easy to understand.

lyric poem of some length (no denite number of syllables or of lines in a stanza), serious in subject and dignied in style. It is most majestic of the lyric poems. It is written in a spirit of praise of some persons or things.

 A lyric poem which expresses feelings of grief

and melancholy, and whose theme is death.

 A lyric poem of 14 lines dealing with an

emotion, a feeling, or an idea.

 These are short poems intended to be sung. The common theme is love, despair, grief,

doubt, joy, hope and sorrow.

 H a v e

m e a s u r e s o f t w e l v e s y l l a b l e s (dodecasyllabic) and slowly sung to the accompaniment o a guitar or banduria. Example: Florante at Laura

 H a v e

m e a s u r e s o f e i g h t s y l l a b l e s (octosyllabic) and recited to a martial beat. Example: Ibong Adarna

 A song praising God or the Virgin Mary and

containing a philosophy of life.

 Comes from the Greek term Komos meaning

festivity or revelry. This form is usually light and written with the purpose of amusing, and usually has a happy ending.

 This is usually used in musical plays with the

opera. Today, this is related to tragedy just as the farce is to comedy. It arouses immediate and intense emotion and is usually sad, but there is a happy ending for the principal character.

 This

involves the hero struggling mightily against dynamic forces; he meets death or ruin without success and satisfaction.

 This is an exaggerated comedy. It seeks to arouse mirth by laughable lines;

situations are too ridiculous to be true; the characters seem to be caricatures and the motives undignied and absurd.

 This form is either purely comic or tragic and

it pictures the life of today. It may aim to bring about changes in the social conditions.