Introduction to literature

1. Introduction
to Literature
in English
Education

2. Why we study this?
 Untuk memahami dan mengenali terkait komponen,
aspek dan jenis-jenis literatur
Komponen penilaian : presensi, tugas, uts, uas
Komponen tugas (tentative):
1. A written poem
2. Examining a literature
3. Reading report

3. SYLLABUS
Definition
History
Genre
Element of literature
Prose
etc

4. LITERATURE LEARNING
 What’s literature?
 The writing or the study of books, etc valued as
works of art (drama, fiction, essays, poetry,
biography, contrasted with technical books and
journalism)(Hornby dictionary).
 What’s learning?
 The acquisition and development of memories
and behaviors, including skills, knowledge,
understanding, values, and wisdom.

5. The aims of literature learning
To widen our knowledge and visions to
understand more about some great literary works,
famous authors, and their thought.
It will also make us get acquainted with their
ideas, their feelings, and their attitudes towards
life, man, nature and God.
It is a means of transformation, that is, indirectly it
may lead the wrong back to the right path
although not all literary works are preaching and
moralizing.

6.  Literature helps us to be (become more)
realistic, mature, wise and humane. It helps
understand human values, sentiments, interests
and problems.
 It brings us closer to other human beings of the
same or different nationalities, cultures, human
values etc. we become more tolerant, balanced
and fuller.

7. Popular Fiction vs.
“Serious” Literary works
Pop fiction like Harry Potter movies and
pop song lyrics are considered less
valuable than “serious” literary works like
Shakespearian drama, Dickens's novel
etc.
Which one do you
Like better?

8. What’s English literature?
 Narrow sense: anything that is written:
time tables, play’s dialogues, textbooks,
travel brochures and so on.
 Broad sense: The writing or the study of
English books, etc valued as works of art
(drama, fiction, essays, poetry, biography,
contrasted with technical books and
journalism).

9. The nature of good literature
 Good literature must seem lifelike and
meaningful. it is caused by its focus on the
central themes of all literature: life, truth, justice
and love.
 The originality of the works of art. Instances:
Hamlet and Machbeth were real historical
characters but then Shakespeare by his
craftsmanship and style made out of these old
figures and stories in a new and fascinating light
 It should be life-enhancing. Matthew Arnold said
about poetry as a criticism of life

10.  Some theories of Literature
1. imitative theory
2. expressive theory
3. affective theory

11. Imitative or “mimetic” theory
 This theory holds that art is an imitation of
something.
 In his Poetics, Aristotle (382-322 B.C) says, that a
tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious
and complete. it is not 100% imitation but a “re-
creation” or “re-presentation”.

12. The Expressive theory
 This theory holds that the artist is not essentially an
imitator but a man who expresses his feelings. According
to William Wordsworth, “poetry is the spontaneous
overflow of powerful feelings and “the poet’s job is to treat
things NOT AS THE ARE..but as they seem to exist to the
sense, the passion.” more than that it is an effort to pluck
the blindfold from our eyes and melt the ice around our
heart. It will deepen our sensibilities.

13. Affective theory
 Affective theory insists that the aim is not to
induce a temporary emotional state. But to induce
emotional state that will lead to action. Leo
Tolstoy said that emotion is not an end but a
means. Alexander Pope said that the aim or art is
to reform those whom it touches.