Introduction to literature

TOPIC1:INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

Ujuziblog post this article of introduction to literature, this articles give more understanding on meaning of literature, types of literature such as oral literature and written literature, importance of studying literature and different literature devices that help leaners to equip with higher literature knowledge.

01.THE OVER VIEW OF THE TERM LITERATURE

a)Meaning of literature

There is no single definition of that suits the meaning of
literature. As a result, there have been various attempts to define the term
literature. Some of these attempts are;

Literature is a work of art that uses language creatively to
portray the message to the intended audience.

Literature is a work of art that uses language creatively to
express human realities to society.

Literature is an imaginative work of art that uses language
to reflect social realities.

Therefore, the definition of literature should include some
important terms as follows:
“Literature is an imaginative work of art that uses language
creatively and imaginatively to portray social realities (society).”

b) Key Terms/Concepts Used in Literature

The definition of literature is incomplete unless it involves
these concepts:

  1. Art –
    refers to the way of doing things. It includes creativity, decoration,
    beauty, painting, coloring, threading, beautification, and embroidery. It
    is creativity that comprises the use of attention of individuals. Art is
    divided into two (2) types, which are:
    • Performing
      art: It is an art that uses movement of bodies and voices to convey a
      particular expression. Performing art includes dance, music, and acting.
    • Fine
      art: It is an art that is created for aesthetic or intellectual purposes.
      It includes furniture making, painting, sculpting, drawing, pottery, etc.
  2. Language –
    is the system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for interaction and
    communication, exchanging, and sharing of ideas. Language is an important
    tool in communication for delivering the intended message. No literature
    can exist without a language.
  3. Creativity/Imaginative –
    it is the situation of applying skills, decoration, painting, designing an
    object, and making it unique from others.
  4. Society –
    It is the people, folk, or inhabitants of a certain area or location who
    make up the society.
  5. Artist –
    It is a person who deals with art, dancing, drawing, painting, and
    performing. An artist can be an orator, performer, dramatist, novelist, or
    painter.

02. LITERATURE AS AN ART

Literature is said to be an art due to the following points:

a) Language Use

The language used in literature is different from the language of
everyday use. Literature uses figures of speech, and words are assigned an
extra meaning beyond their ordinary implication. Some words carry literal
meaning, while others have symbolic meaning. Therefore, you need to dig a bit
deeper before concluding the intended message.

b) Character and Characterization

Literature uses real people or other characters that represent
real people in the outside world. Inanimate beings may be personified in a way
that they represent human qualities and act accordingly. This adds artistic
effect to the literary work.

c) Choice and Presentation of Incidents

Literature is not just a collection of facts and stories to be
reported. Incidents in literature are presented in an artistic way that makes
the audience feel as if they are actually happening. There is the use of
skillful narrative techniques like point of view, flashback, foreshadowing,
suspense, etc. All these help the reader visualize the events as though they
are unfolding before their eyes.

d) Selection of Setting

Writers select a setting that aligns with the content of their
works. For example, issues like poverty, ignorance, social classes, and misuse
of power are commonly portrayed in the African context.

e) Selection of Title

Literary works like plays, novels, and poems have titles that
match the targeted message. For example, The Trials of Brother Jero links
the title with the content by using the main character, Brother Jero.

f) Literature is Imaginative and Symbolic in Nature

The language used in literature is usually imaginative. Therefore,
literature uses language imaginatively to represent social realities.

03. FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE

Since literature does not develop from a vacuum but from the
society in which it emanates, it has different roles to play in society. The
following are some of the most important roles of literature:

a) Literature Educates People in the Society

Literary works are used to impart knowledge to members of society.
They create awareness of different social, political, and economic matters
taking place in society. Literature educates young people on how they are
expected to behave according to societal expectations and the roles they are
required to fulfill.

b) Literature Expresses People’s Culture

Since literature develops from society, it automatically expresses
the culture of its people. All cultural aspects like traditions, beliefs,
customs, and norms are expressed so that society may cherish the good ones and
carry them over to the next generations while modifying or discarding the
outdated ones.

c) Literature is Used to Entertain People

Most literary works appeal to emotions. By reading, listening to,
and watching literary works, we get entertained. Poems and dramas create
enjoyment for the audience in a way that is different from physical pleasures
like eating food. Literary enjoyment is called aesthetic pleasure;
for example, comedies and melodrama.

d) Literature is Used to Influence People in Society

More often than not, people who are interested in watching,
listening to, and reading literary works are tempted to act like the characters
in the respective literary work. For example, during the struggle for
independence, literary works were used to instill revolutionary ideas in the
oppressed to take up arms against the oppressor. Consider the poem Your
Pain
 by Armando Guebuza.

e) Literature is Used to Develop Language

By reading, listening to, and watching literary works, people
improve their language skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and
writing. People may also improve their vocabulary since they will not only come
across new words but also learn how they are used in context. Authors also
create new words, phrases, idioms, and figures of speech that help develop the
language.

f) Literature is Used to Liberate People Mentally and Physically

Literary works present messages that help liberate society
mentally, and as a result, people liberate themselves physically. Literature
makes society aware of the existence of oppressive systems and suggests ways to
get rid of them. For example, united we stand, divided we fall.

g) Literature is Used to Criticize Society

Literature may be used to criticize society by pointing out
pressing issues and urging society to resolve them. Literary artists often
highlight the evils of traditional society, such as outdated customs like
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), widow inheritance, and forced marriage, and
ask society to discard them. They may also expose the wrongdoings of the ruling
class and suggest ways to remove corrupt leaders.

04. IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING LITERATURE

a) Literature helps us grow both personally and intellectually. It
opens doors for us, stretches our minds, develops our imagination, increases
our understanding, and enlarges our power of sympathy. It helps us see beauty
in the world around us.
b) It links us with the cultural, philosophical, and religious world of which
we are a part.
c) It enables us to recognize human dreams and struggles in different places
and times.
d) It makes us human. Literature exercises our emotions through interest,
concern, sympathy, tension, excitement, regret, fear, laughter, and hope.
e) It identifies society.
f) It broadens people’s thinking.
g) It preserves and transmits people’s culture.
h) It unites people.
i) It encourages people.
j) It creates employment for people.

05. CONTEXT IN WHICH LITERATURE IS APPLIED IN SOCIETY

Context is a situation in which something happens, and that helps
you understand it. It is also known as environment, circumstance, or
background
. There are different contexts in which literature is applied in
society. These environments include:

a) Educational Context

Literature is used in schools, colleges, and universities as a
field of study. Through studying literature, we get professionals or experts
like analysts, novelists, playwrights, poets, teachers, authors, and professors
of literature. Musicians are also experts in literature. They use their
knowledge to entertain and educate members of society through their songs.

b) Religious Context

In different religious denominations, literature is a fundamental
part of worship. Church choirs apply the knowledge of literature to compose,
practice, and sing songs. The way they sing, praise, and worship through songs,
hymns, and lyrics is a literary expression of faith.

(c) Economic Context

From the history of humankind, literature has been used for
different purposes. Thus, literature cannot be isolated from the origin of
humans through the labor process associated with the making and use of tools.
Human beings had to use language to communicate various issues related to labor
differentiation. Primarily, literature existed in oral forms such as songs
(labor songs), myths, and folktales aimed at warning, encouraging hard work,
criticizing evil, and maintaining social values. People composed different
songs that accompanied them during and after their economic activities. An
example of such songs/poems includes The Lazy Man by the
Yoruba.

(d) Political Context

Literature plays a significant role in political activities. From
the history of political struggles for independence, it has been observed that
political leaders and other members used literature as a tool of communication.
They composed different songs to mobilize people to unite and struggle for
freedom. For example, the poem Your Pain was meant to help the
people of Mozambique become self-aware of the impact of colonialism. This song
inspired and motivated them to unite and fight for their freedom. Literature is
also applied during political campaigns to influence people to vote for a
particular political party, such as CCM or CHADEMA.

(e) Marriage Context

Literature is also used during marriage ceremonies, where
different songs are sung for enjoyment, warning, and educating the couples. For
example, wedding songs are mainly sung by the relatives of the bride to show
appreciation for the ceremony and for a successful marriage.

(f) Funeral Context

Literature is applied through its works, such as songs, proverbs,
and poems, to console the relatives and friends of the deceased. In the Hehe
tribe, men cry in poetic form by naming their relatives who passed away a long
time ago, a practice called Kuyeyela. The songs sung during
funerals are called dirges. Dirges are songs performed at funerals or memorial
services, where singers mourn the deceased through song, conveying deep
feelings of sorrow and loss.

(g) Social Context

In this context, literature is applied according to the purpose of
the social gathering. Literary works such as songs, comedies, idioms, proverbs,
and short stories are used or performed to educate, criticize, warn, and
entertain people. The aim is to encourage personal reform and socially
acceptable behavior. Comedy, for instance, is performed to entertain people.

(h) Family Context

Literature is applied at the family level, where parents,
guardians, adults, neighbors, and youth use literary works to communicate their
emotions and feelings in different ways. Family members, such as elders and
adults, as well as youth, narrate different stories such as fables, anecdotes,
and folktales. They also sing songs such as childbirth and child-naming songs,
as well as lullabies, to educate, entertain, and warn the younger generation.

06. FORMS OF LITERATURE

There are two major types/forms of literature, namely:

a) Oral Literature

This is a type of literature that presents the message through
words of mouth. It is the oldest form of literature, as it was practiced before
the invention of writing. Examples include myths, parables, and legends.

b) Written Literature

This is a form of literature that presents the message in written
form. It began with the invention of writing. Written literature has two major
forms: fiction and non-fiction. Examples include biographies, autobiographies,
novels, plays, short stories, and essays.

Relationship Between Oral and Written Literature

Both oral and written literature share the following
characteristics:

  • Both
    portray social realities.
  • Both
    use language as their medium of communication.
  • Both
    consist of two elements: form and content.
  • Both
    perform similar functions such as educating, developing language, and
    uniting people.

Differences Between Oral and Written Literature

  • Oral literature is presented
    orally, while written literature is presented through writing.
  • Oral literature is preserved in
    memory, while written literature is preserved in books like novels and
    short stories.
  • Oral literature involves
    performance, while written literature is primarily read rather than
    performed.
  • Oral literature can change
    immediately, while written literature remains unchanged for a long time.
  • Oral literature is rich in
    different types, while written literature has fewer types.
  • Oral literature includes a
    variety of characters, while written literature is mainly limited to human
    characters.
  • Oral literature is owned by the
    whole community, while written literature is owned by the author.
  • Oral literature is older, while
    written literature is relatively young.

    07. LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

    Language acts as a bridge through which literature conveys
    messages.

    a) Features of Language Used in Literature

    1. It is
      imaginative in nature
      • The
        language used in literature creates mental images in the reader’s mind.
        When the reader reads, they can visualize the content through figures of
        speech such as exaggeration and metaphor.
    2. It
      does not strictly follow standard grammar rules
      • Writers
        of fiction or literary works are free to bend grammatical rules to
        achieve a particular effect.
    3. It is
      symbolic in nature
      • In
        literature, words represent deeper meanings or ideas. For example,
        in Your Pain, the word “blood” symbolizes
        sacrifice.

    b) Relationship Between Literature and Language

    1. Literature
      uses language as a medium to present messages
      • Artists
        must have a rich vocabulary and a good command of language to effectively
        convey meaning.
    2. Language
      is used to influence people’s minds
      • Spoken
        words not only convey meaning but also shape thoughts and encourage
        social change.
    3. Language
      is used to arouse emotions
      • Literature
        can inspire pleasure, enjoyment, sadness, pity, or even terror through
        the use of language.
    4. Language
      is a part of literature
      • Literature
        cannot exist without language. Writers must use the language of their
        society to communicate with their audience. For example, Tanzanian
        writers use Kiswahili to reach a wider audience.
    5. Literature
      helps develop language
      • Through
        reading, listening, speaking, and writing, literature enhances language
        skills.
    6. Language
      makes literature a work of art
      • Literary
        language is creative, imaginative, and symbolic.
    7. Literature
      is stored and presented through language
      • It
        is either written down or passed orally through spoken words.

    c) Differences Between Ordinary and Literary Language

    1. Usage: Ordinary
      language is commonly used in daily life, while literary language is used
      mainly in literature.
    2. Syntax: Ordinary
      language follows standard grammar and word order, whereas literary
      language may break these rules for artistic effect.
    3. Figures
      of Speech: Ordinary language may or may not use figures of speech,
      while literary language is rich in figurative expressions.
    4. Clarity: Ordinary
      language is straightforward and easy to understand, while literary
      language often has deeper meanings and requires interpretation.
    5. Meaning: Words
      in ordinary language retain their original meaning, while in literary
      language, words may acquire symbolic or multiple meanings.

    d) Factors for Using Foreign Languages in African Literature

    1. Underdevelopment
      of African languages
      • Many
        African languages lack a standardized written form, making it difficult
        for writers to use them in literature.
    2. Absence
      of government language policies
      • Most
        African governments do not have policies that promote the use of
        indigenous languages in literature.
    3. Lack
      of promotion in employment and education
      • No
        African country requires proficiency in an indigenous language for
        university admission or job opportunities.
    4. Multilingualism
      in Africa
      • With
        over 2,035 languages in Africa, it is difficult to establish a common
        literary language.
    5. High
      cost of developing African languages
      • Language
        development requires resources, making it expensive to standardize all
        African languages for literary use.
    6. Limited
      market for African-language literature
      • Since
        many African languages are not widely written, literary works in these
        languages have low commercial value.
    7. Challenges
      in publishing
      • Most
        publishers hesitate to publish books in African languages due to the lack
        of experts and market demand.

    e) Importance of Language in Literature

    1. Language
      is the medium of literature
      • It
        acts as the vehicle through which literature is expressed, whether oral
        or written.
    2. Literature
      is created through language
      • There
        would be no literature without language. When language is used
        artistically, it becomes literature.
    3. Literature
      transforms ordinary language into creative expression
      • Literary
        works use figurative language to create deeper meaning and artistic
        effect.
    4. Reading
      literature improves language skills
      • Exposure
        to literary texts enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and linguistic
        creativity.
    5. Language
      helps students analyze literary texts
      • Literature
        aids in understanding complex texts and themes.
    6. Language
      in literature provides real-life experiences
      • It
        exposes readers to different cultural and social settings through
        storytelling.

    Literary Devices

    A literary device refers to artistic language structures used by
    writers to give a deeper meaning and flavor to their literary works. They
    include figures of speech and musical or sound techniques like rhyming schemes,
    alliteration, etc.

    A figure of speech is an expression of things that deviates from
    ordinary language. Figures of speech make literary works appear colorful and
    attractive to read.

    Roles of Literary Devices in Literature

    1. They
      are used for comparison. Example: metaphor and simile.
    2. They
      are used for emphasis. Example: reiteration or repetition.
    3. They
      are used for clarity.
    4. They
      are used for freshness.
    5. They
      differentiate literary works from other works.
    6. They
      are used for beauty.

    The Most Common Literary Devices Used in Literature

    a) Metaphor

    A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two
    unlike things without using the words “like” or “as.” It suggests that one
    thing is another thing or is equal to another thing.
    Example:

    • He
      was a lion.
    • The
      Lord is my shepherd.

    b) Simile

    A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike
    things by using the words “like,” “as,” “than,” or “resembles.”
    Example:

    • As
      white as snow.
    • Life
      is just like ice cream; enjoy it before it melts.

    c) Irony

    The use of words in such a way that the intended meaning is
    completely opposite to their literal meaning. It can be used intentionally or
    unintentionally to make the audience think about what has just been said or to
    emphasize a certain idea.
    Example:

    • Bread
      is as soft as a stone.
    • A
      bank lends you money provided you show that it is not needed.

    Types of Irony

    i. Verbal irony
    Occurs when words are used to suggest the opposite of their usual meaning. The
    intended meaning of the statement differs (often the opposite of) what the
    statement literally says.
    Example:

    • “The
      bread is as soft as a stone.”
    • In
      Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, Dr. Stockman, who is declared
      an enemy, is in reality a friend of the people.

    ii. Dramatic irony
    A failure of a character to see or understand what is obvious to the audience.
    It also refers to a contradiction in a play between what a character thinks and
    what the audience knows to be true.
    Example:

    • In Oedipus
      the King
       by Sophocles, Oedipus fails to realize what the audience
      knows—that he has married his mother.

    iii. Situational irony
    Occurs when what happens is contrary to what is expected, or the actual outcome
    of a situation is the opposite of what is expected.
    Example:

    • The
      son of an English teacher fails an English exam.
    • The
      daughter of a rich merchant is expelled from school for lack of school
      fees.

    d) Satire

    A literary technique that ridicules its subject, including
    individuals, organizations, or states, often as an intended means of provoking
    or preventing change. Satire often uses irony.

    e) Sarcasm

    A bitter, cutting speech intended to wound someone’s feelings.
    Example:
    Student: I don’t understand.
    Teacher: Well, I wouldn’t expect you to.

    f) Personification

    The representation of inanimate objects or abstract ideas as
    living beings. It connects readers with the object that is personified.
    Example:

    • The
      mountains cried, the valleys wept, and the hills waited, all mourning the
      death of Nyerere.

    g) Apostrophe

    A direct address to the dead or an inanimate object, creating an
    emotional surge.
    Example:

    • Nyerere,
      only if you were alive!
    • O
      heart of man-made God.

    h) Rhetorical Question

    A question asked not to gain information but for emphasis. No
    answer is expected.
    Example:

    • Did
      you help me when I needed help?
    • Did
      you once offer to intercede on my behalf?

    i) Hyperbole (Overstatement)

    A figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis
    or humorous effect.
    Example:

    • I am
      so hungry that I can eat a whole cow.
    • She
      wept and wept until there was a sea of tears.

    j) Litotes (Understatement)

    The use of a negative or weak statement to emphasize a positive
    meaning.
    Example:

    • I was
      not feeling unhappy → I was happy.
    • I am
      not unmindful → I mind.

    k) Euphemism

    A figure of speech that avoids the use of taboo or unpleasant
    words.
    Example:

    • Restroom for toilet.
    • Pass
      away
       for die.

    l) Metonymy

    The substitution of a word with another word that is closely
    related to it.
    Example:

    • Crown for king/government
      ruled by a king
      .
    • He
      has a good name
       (Name refers to reputation).

    m) Synecdoche

    A figure of speech in which the whole is represented by a part or
    a part by the whole.
    Example:

    • He
      has several mouths to feed
       (Mouths represent people).
    • Fifty
      head of cattle
       (Head represents the whole animal).

    n) Onomatopoeia

    The use of words that imitate natural sounds.
    Example:

    • The
      humming bee.
    • The
      cackling hen.
    • The
      whizzing arrow.

    o) Climax

    The arrangement of ideas in an increasing order of their
    importance.
    Example:

    • He
      came, he saw, he conquered.
    • Eat,
      drink, and sleep.

    p) Imagery

    A literary device that creates mental pictures appealing to the
    reader’s five senses.

    Types of Imagery:

    • Visual
      image: An image of sight (greater than the Rift Valley).
    • Auditory
      image: An image of sound (The scream of a man).
    • Tactile
      image: An image of touch (Standing hard and ready).
    • Olfactory
      image: An image of smell (A stinking room).

    q) Symbolism

    A literary device that uses one object to stand for something
    else.
    Example:

    • Crown to
      mean superiority.
    • Sunrise to
      symbolize the beginning of a struggle.

    r) Oxymoron

    A figure of speech that combines two contradictory words.
    Example:

    • True
      lie
      .
    • Silent
      noise
      .

    s) Paradox

    A statement that contradicts itself.
    Example:

    • They
      have been burning us with a cold fire
      .
    • Look
      at those walking corpses

    Style/Technique

    Style or technique refers to the quality that distinguishes an
    author’s work from the work of another author. It includes the writer’s choice
    and employment of figures of speech in a literary work.

    In other words, technique refers to the way a literary work has
    been constructed and brought to the reader. In most cases, literary works are
    presented in:

    • Dialogue or
    • Monologue
      (soliloquy)

    There are a variety of styles used by different artists in
    literature, but the most important technique is narrative technique.

    Types of Narrative Techniques

    1. Oral
      Traditional Narrative Technique – This style refers to the retelling
      of a story that resembles the traditional way of storytelling, often
      beginning with phrases like “Once upon a time…”, “A
      long time ago…”, “Many years ago…”
      , etc.
    2. Straightforward
      Narrative Style – A narration that follows the sequence of events
      from the beginning to the end of the story. It is common in many novels.
    3. Flashback –
      A narrative style where the end or middle of the story is found at the
      beginning and vice versa.
    4. Foreshadowing –
      A narrative style where a certain character makes predictions about events
      that later occur in the story.

    Setting

    Setting refers to the time and place where events take place in a
    literary work. It is the locale, historical time, and social circumstances in
    which the actions of the work of art occur.

    For example, one can write the setting as:
    “In Tanzania after independence.”

    Types of Setting

    1. Real
      Setting – A setting that takes place in a real location known to
      people. It makes a literary work more realistic.
      • Example: The
        Lion and the Jewel
         is set in Nigeria.
    2. Imaginary
      Setting – A setting in an unreal place unknown to people.

    Elements of Setting

    1. Geographical
      Setting – The place where the story occurs (e.g., Tanzania, Nigeria,
      Kenya).
    2. Temporal
      Setting – The time period of the story (e.g., pre-independence,
      colonial era, post-independence).
    3. Social
      Setting – The situational or environmental setting, dealing with
      conflicts such as class struggles (e.g., the conflict between the rich and
      the poor, the educated and the uneducated).

    Character and Characterization

    A character is any participant in the action of a
    literary work. It can be a human being or an inanimate object.

    Types of Characters

    1. Main/Major/Central
      Characters – These characters play an important role in the story and
      drive the plot.
    2. Minor
      Characters – These characters have small roles but help develop the
      main characters and events.

    Classification of Characters

    • Protagonist –
      The central character in a story, often with positive traits and loved by
      the audience.
    • Antagonist –
      The character who opposes the protagonist and creates obstacles in the
      story.
    • Dynamic/Developing
      Character – A character that changes over time due to events in the
      story.
    • Static
      Character – A character who does not change throughout the story.
    • Round
      Character – A complex character with multiple dimensions to their
      personality.
    • Flat
      Character – A character with a simple and undeveloped personality.
    • Foil
      Character – A character who contrasts with the protagonist to
      highlight differences.
    • Stock/Stereotype
      Character – A character that appears repeatedly in a specific genre
      and is easily recognizable.
    • Symbolic
      Character – A character representing a larger idea, such as
      corruption or greed.

    Characterization

    Characterization is the process of describing a character in a
    literary work.

    Types of Characterization

    1. Direct
      Characterization – The author directly states the character’s traits
      (e.g., brave, corrupt, weak).
    2. Indirect
      Characterization – The reader must infer the character’s traits
      through evidence given in the story.

    Methods of Describing a Character

    • Through
      what they think
    • Through
      what they say
    • Through
      what they do
    • The
      way they behave towards others
    • Through
      what other characters say about them
    • Through
      what the author says about them

    Diction (Language Use)

    Diction refers to the choice and arrangement of words in a
    literary work. It determines the artistic effect and how language is used.

    Point of View

    Point of view refers to the angle or position from which a
    literary work is narrated. It determines who tells the story.

    Types of Point of View

    • First-Person
      Point of View – The narrator is one of the characters in the story,
      using the pronoun “I” to share their experiences.
    • Second-Person
      Point of View – The narrator directly addresses the reader
      using “you” (rarely used in literature).
    • Third-Person
      Point of View – The narrator is outside the story, using “he,”
      “she,” or “they.”
      • Third-Person
        Limited
         – The narrator follows only one character’s thoughts.
      • Third-Person
        Omniscient
         – The narrator knows everything
        about all characters (also called the All-Knowing Point of View).

    Importance of Point of View

    • Helps
      the audience understand the characters and interpret the story as intended
      by the writer.
    • A
      first-person point of view brings inspiration for drama and emotion.

    Content in Literature

    Content refers to what is being said or conveyed in a literary
    work.

    a) Theme

    A theme is the central or dominant idea in a literary
    work. It is usually stated in a sentence form.

    Common Themes in African Literature:

    • Betrayal
    • African
      traditions
    • Colonialism
    • Position
      of women
    • Corruption
    • Class
      struggles
    • Racial
      segregation
    • Protest
    • Neo-colonialism

    b) Message

    A message is the lesson or insight learned from a
    literary work. The writer may aim to:

    • Persuade
    • Criticize
    • Inform
    • Explain
    • Entertain
    • Describe
    • Tell
      a story

    c) Conflict

    Conflict is the struggle, quarrel, or misunderstanding between
    characters in a literary work.

    Types of Conflict

    • Economic
      Conflict – Disputes over wealth, property, or economic status.
    • Philosophical
      Conflict – A conflict between the author’s beliefs and the audience.
    • Political
      Conflict – Struggles for power or governance.
    • Social
      Conflict – Class struggles (e.g., rich vs. poor, educated vs.
      uneducated).
    • Family
      Conflict – Disputes within family members (e.g., parents vs.
      children).
    • Personal
      Conflict – An internal struggle within a character (dilemma).

    d) Climax

    The climax is the highest point of tension or action in
    a story.

    e) Moral Lesson

    A moral lesson refers to the teachings a reader gets from a
    literary work.

    f) Philosophy

    A philosophy is the belief or stance of a writer, often
    reflecting real-life experiences.

    g) Crisis

    A crisis is a moment of great difficulty or disaster in
    the story.

    Quizzes

    1. “Writing
      literature in a local language is the only way to make sure it reaches
      everyone in society.” Argue for or against this statement with eight
      (8) points.
    2. How
      is the subject of literature different from other subjects in the
      secondary school curriculum?
    3. Support
      the view that society creates literature, and literature shapes society.
    4. Show
      how literature is a reflection of life (six points).
    5. Discuss five
      roles of characters in a literary work.

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