Introduction - English and American Literatures

What is literature?
1. approaches for studying
  1. extrinsic
    1. to study mimetic image of reality
    2. pragmatic effect upon readers
    3. expressive origin within the writer
  2. intrinsic
    1. focus on the text itself
2. Readers interests:
  1. the kind of world revealed by literature: aesthetic imitation
    Annotations:
    - L. transforms conceptions of reality with aesthetic means (particular images, constructions of characters, sequences) -> comment about the "real" world
    1. mimesis (imitation of reality)
      Annotations:
      - Aristotele
      1. probable truth
    2. non-mimetic literature proof exceptions of probability
      1. fairytales, fantasy or science-fiction
  2. entertainment / instruction provided: effect
    1. pleasure and/or profit
      1. aesthetic experience
      2. moral/political judgement
  3. author's experience/view of life: production
    1. author's subjective expression
      1. image of author's personality
  4. artistic quality of the text itself: object
    1. aesthetic object
      1. art for art's sake
3. Literary genres
  1. communication, mood, attitude, content, aesthetic effect
    Annotations:
    - Aristoteles (communication): - drama (characters speak/act) - epic narrative (author reports)
4. medium
  1. oral literature
    Annotations:
    - modern form: poetry slam
  2. written literature
  3. audiovisual literature
    Annotations:
    - spectacle in theatre and the cinema
5. codes
  1. rules governing writing/reading of texts
    1. offers ambiguous aesthetic information
Literary Studies
1. Literary theory
  1. reflection (poses questions)
  2. answer: approach (guideline on reading texts)
    Annotations:
    - implying assumptions about: -individual identity -society and culture ...
  3. its functions:
    1. awareness
    2. new perspectives
    3. understand secondary material
2. Literary criticism
  1. description, analysis, interpretation, evaluation
    1. subjective impressions
    2. central questions-oriented approach
      1. critique, serious profound essay, article
3. literary history
  1. development of literature
  2. canon - establishment and revision
    Annotations:
    - canon = list of important texts -> influence what is mainly read at schools & universities
    1. subject to change!!
Literary criticism
1. critical edition
2. annotated edition
3. interpretation
  1. Hermeneutics
    1. dialogue
4. analysis
Literary history

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Introduction - English and American Literatures

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	Created by Maik Seitz over 9 years ago