LIT 01
FORMALISTIC APPROACH
Formalism rose to prominence in the early twentieth century as a reaction against
Romanticist theories of literature, which centered on the artist and individual creative genius,
once again placing the text itself in the spotlight to show how the text was indebted to forms
and other works that had preceded it.
● New Criticism
● The text itself - we need to look at what the text says
GRATIA ARTIS - Art for the sake of arts
ELEMENTS OF SHORT STORY
A. SETTING - time and place
● VERSIMILITUDE -the quality of seeming true or of having the appearance of
being real
● LOCAL COLOR - custom, tradition, language
● MOOD, TONE, ATMOSPHERE
● CONTEXT - the situation/place that the characters are in
B. CHARACTERS - sometimes setting can also be the character
● PROTAGONIST - the hero/morally right
● ANTAGONIST - the villain
● SUPPORTING - Stereotypes - its personality is a particular idea.
● FOIL -the total opposite of the main character/the sidekick
● CONFIDENTE - is someone who knows the secret of the main character
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
● STATIC - don't change
● DYNAMIC - changing
● FLAT CHARACTERS are two-dimensional in that they are relatively
uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work
● ROUND CHARACTERS are complex and undergo development, sometimes
sufficiently to surprise the reader.
C. PLOT
● IN MEDIAS RES - in the midst of
PLOT DEVICES
● FLASHBACK - past - serves a purpose in the story
● FLASHFORWARD - future, the eye of apollo, through divination and
prophecy
● TIME TRAVEL
Exposition - Rising Action - Climax - Falling Action - Ending/Resolution
7.Corridos- these have measures of eight syllables (octosyllabic) and recited to a martial
beat.
IDYL - describes pastoral life or elements of nature in a romantic, sweeping tone.
C. DRAMATIC POETRY
1.Comedy- the word comedy comes from the greek term "komos"meaning festivity or
revelry. This form usually is light and written with the purpose of amusing, and usually has a
happy ending.
2.Melodrama- this is ussually used in musical plays with 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.
3.Tragedy- this involves the hero struggling mightily against dynamic forces, he meets death
or ruin without success and satisfaction obtained by the protagonist in a comedy.
4.Farce- 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 undignified and absurd.
5.Social Poems- this is either purely comic or tragic and it pictures the life of today. It may
aim to bring about changes in the social conditions.
TYPES OF PROSE
FICTION
Legend -a traditional story origin or group of stories told about a particular person or place
Short Story - be read in one single sitting
Novel - a piece of long narrative
Novella - a story that is shorter than a novel but not longer than a short story
Fable - religious story with moral
Parable - animals
NON - FICTION
Biography - Facts about a person
Autobiography - an account of person’s life written by that person
History - setting of a real particular historical events
Essay - a piece of writing that presents an argument or a point of view on a particular topic.
It can be formal or informal and can range from a few paragraphs to several pages. Essays
can be persuasive, informative, descriptive, or narrative.
Diary - a personal record of daily events, thoughts, and feelings.
News - is a form of journalism that reports on current events and issues. It is usually
presented in a factual and objective
Anecdote- is a brief and engaging story that is used to illustrate a point. Most importantly,
anecdotes are true stories about one's life.
CORALINE by Neil Gaiman
Real World Characters:
● Coraline Jones: The protagonist of the story, Coraline is a clever and adventurous
girl who is often neglected by her parents. She is misunderstood by everyone around
her and wishes for a more exciting world, which she finds in the universe created by
the Other Mother
The book is organized into 13 chapters, each focusing on different aspects of warfare, from
strategy and tactics to espionage and diplomacy.
"The Art of War" is not limited to military applications and is often used as a guide for
leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving in various fields.
Sun Tzu's teachings promote the idea that victory can be achieved with minimal conflict and
loss if one understands the principles of strategy and applies them effectively.
Its enduring relevance has made it a widely studied and quoted work in the realms of
leadership, management, and conflict resolution.
"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin.
Summary: The story is set in the fictional utopian city of Omelas, which is described as a
place of unparalleled happiness, peace, and prosperity. The city's residents enjoy an idyllic
life, and everything seems perfect. However, the source of this happiness is revealed to be a
dark secret. In a basement beneath one of the city's beautiful buildings, there is a suffering
child who lives in squalor and misery. The child's suffering is the price that must be paid for
the happiness of all in Omelas. The citizens are aware of this child's plight, and they must
come to terms with it to maintain their blissful existence.
Meanings:
Utilitarianism and Moral Dilemma: The story presents a classic ethical dilemma
rooted in utilitarian philosophy. It asks whether it is morally justifiable to cause
extreme suffering to one individual for the greater happiness of the many. Omelas
embodies the idea of the "greatest good for the greatest number."
The Cost of Happiness: Le Guin explores the idea that societal happiness often
comes at a cost, and this cost is sometimes hidden or ignored by those who benefit
from it. In Omelas, the citizens choose to ignore the child's suffering to preserve their
own contentment.
Individual vs. Society: The story prompts readers to consider the tension between
individual ethics and the collective good. It raises questions about personal
responsibility and the willingness of individuals to accept or reject a morally
compromised society.
Lessons:
Moral Compromise: "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" challenges readers
to reflect on the moral compromises we make for our own comfort and happiness. It
underscores the idea that true happiness cannot be built upon the suffering of others.
