Literature 001 Introduction to Literature

Summary

This introductory lecture on literature provides a comprehensive overview, tracing the origins of the word 'literature' from Latin roots, linking it to letters, education, and literacy. The lecture contrasts broad and academic definitions of literature, emphasizing its artistic, imaginative, and creative nature. It also explores the various forms of literature, including written, oral, pictorial, and audio-visual, highlighting their cultural and historical significance. Through these foundational concepts, the lecture sets the stage for deeper exploration into literary genres, movements, and schools of thought in future sessions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Literature is a vast field of knowledge that encompasses various forms of writing, not limited to any specific genre or cultural tradition.
• 😀 The term 'literature' originates from the Latin word *litteratura*, meaning 'letter,' highlighting the connection between literature, writing, and education.
• 😀 The word 'text' is derived from *textile*, meaning 'fabric,' which emphasizes that texts are woven together from individual components like words and sentences.
• 😀 Literature can be defined in two ways: a broad sense, encompassing all written material, and a more academic sense, focusing on artistic, imaginative, and creative works.
• 😀 In the broad sense, literature includes all written material, such as textbooks, history books, newspapers, magazines, and even medical prescriptions.
• 😀 In the academic sense, literature is characterized by three main features: artistic (beauty), imaginative (creative imagination), and creative (originality).
• 😀 Florence Deak defines literature as an imaginative creation that transcends life and can convey truths subtly through narrative, poetry, and drama.
• 😀 Literature has four primary forms: written, oral, pictorial, and audio-visual.
• 😀 The written form of literature is the most common and includes novels, poetry, and essays, which are created through written words.
• 😀 Oral literature is particularly prominent in oral cultures, such as African traditions, where stories are passed down verbally from generation to generation.
• 😀 Pictorial forms of literature, such as cave paintings and prehistoric engravings, are some of the earliest ways stories were told before the written word.
• 😀 Audio-visual forms of literature, like films, combine both visual and verbal elements to create a narrative experience, representing the modern evolution of storytelling.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the lecture series in the script?

The main objective of the lecture series is to provide a general introduction and overview of literature without focusing on specific types or trends like American, British, or African literature. The lectures aim to explore the origins and background of the field of literature.

What is the origin of the word 'literature'?

The word 'literature' is derived from the Latin word 'littera,' which means 'letter.' It is closely related to the concept of education, literacy, and cultivation, signifying a strong link between literature, letters, and knowledge.

How is the word 'text' related to 'textile' in the lecture?

The word 'text' is linked to 'textile,' meaning fabric. Just as fabric is made from individual threads woven together, a text is made up of words and sentences that form a coherent and meaningful whole.

What are the two main definitions of literature mentioned in the script?

The two main definitions of literature are: a broad definition, which includes everything that is written (informative or imaginative), and a more academic, specific definition, which refers to texts that are artistic, imaginative, and creative.

What are the three main features that define literature in its academic sense?

The three main features that define literature are: it must be artistic or aesthetic, it must be imaginative, and it must be creative. These qualities distinguish literature from other forms of writing.

How does Florence Deak define literature?

Florence Deak defines literature as an imaginative creation that goes beyond life. It is an art that can tell truths gracefully and subtly through narrative, poetry, and the movement of characters on stage.

What are the four forms of literature discussed in the script?

The four forms of literature discussed are: written form (texts), oral or verbal form (spoken traditions), pictorial form (like prehistoric engravings and drawings), and audio-visual form (such as films).

Why is oral or verbal literature important in certain cultures?

Oral or verbal literature is particularly significant in developing countries, such as many African nations, where literary heritage is passed down through generations orally, through storytelling and recitation.

What role does pictorial form play in literature?

Pictorial form in literature includes visual representations like drawings, engravings, and pictures that convey narrative or story, dating back to the Prehistoric Age as a form of expression and storytelling.

How is film considered a form of literature in the modern context?

Film is considered a form of literature because it combines both pictorial and verbal elements (audio-visual), telling stories and conveying artistic expressions in a manner similar to traditional forms of literature.