What is Literature?

The word literature suggests a higher art form; merely putting words on a page
doesn't necessarily equate to creating literature. A canon is the accepted body of
works for a given author. Some works of literature are considered canonical, that is,
culturally representative of a particular genre (poetry, prose, or drama).

Why Is Literature Important?

Works of literature, at their best, provide a kind of blueprint of human society. From
the writings of ancient civilizations such as Egypt and China to Greek philosophy and
poetry, from the epics of Homer to the plays of William Shakespeare, from Jane
Austen and Charlotte Bronte to Maya Angelou, works of literature give insight and
context to all the world's societies. In this way, literature is more than just a historical
or cultural artifact; it can serve as an introduction to a new world of experience.

But what we consider to be literature can vary from one generation to the next. For
instance, Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby Dick was considered a failure by
contemporary reviewers. However, it has since been recognized as a masterpiece
and is frequently cited as one of the best works of Western literature for its thematic
complexity and use of symbolism. By reading Moby Dick in the present day, we can
gain a fuller understanding of literary traditions in Melville's time.

The Importance of Studying Literature

Students who study literature and read for pleasure have a higher vocabulary, better
reading comprehension, and better communication skills, such as writing ability.
Communication skills affect people in every area of their lives, from navigating
interpersonal relationships to participating in meetings in the workplace to drafting
memos or reports.

When students analyze literature, they learn to identify cause and effect and apply
critical thinking skills. Without realizing it, they examine the characters
psychologically or sociologically. They identify the characters' motivations for their
actions and see through those actions to any ulterior motives.

When planning an essay on a work of literature, students use problem-solving skills

to come up with a thesis and follow through on compiling their paper. It takes
research skills to dig up evidence for their thesis from the text and scholarly criticism,
and it takes organizational skills to present their argument in a coherent, cohesive
manner.
Some studies say that people who read literature have more empathy for others, as
literature puts the reader into another person's shoes. Having empathy for others
leads people to socialize more effectively, solve conflicts peacefully, and collaborate
better in the workplace.

Literary Genres
Literary genres are categories, types, or collections of literature. They often share
characteristics, such as their subject matter or topic, style, form, purpose, or
audience. Genre is a way of categorizing readers' tastes.

Genre originates from the French word meaning kind or type. As a literary device,
genre refers to a form, class, or type of literary work. The primary genres in literature
are poetry, drama/play, essay, short story, and novel. The term genre is used quite
often to denote literary sub-classifications or specific types of literature such as
comedy, tragedy, epic poetry, thriller, science fiction, romance.

Genres could be divided into four major categories which also have further sub-
categories. The four major categories are:

1. Poetry: It could be categorized into further sub-categories such as epic, lyrical

poetry, odes, sonnets, quatrains, free verse poems, etc.
2. Fiction: It could be categorized into further sub-categories such as short stories,
novels, skits, postmodern fiction, modern fiction, formal fiction, and so on.
3. Prose: It could be further categorized into sub-genres or sub-categories such as
essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, autobiography, biographical
writings, and so on.
4. Drama: It could be categorized into tragedy, comedy, romantic comedy, absurd
theatre, modern play, and so on.

In terms of literature, fiction refers to the prose of short stories, novellas, and novels
in which the story originates from the writer's imagination. These fictional literary
forms are often categorized by genre, each of which features a particular style, tone,
and storytelling devices and elements.

Common Examples of Genre Fiction and Their Characteristics:

 Literary Fiction: A work with artistic value and literary merit.
 Thriller: Features dark, mysterious, and suspenseful plots.
 Horror: Intended to scare and shock the reader while eliciting a sense of terror
or dread; may feature scary entities such as ghosts, zombies, evil spirits, etc.
 Mystery: Generally features a detective solving a case with a suspenseful plot
and slowly revealing information for the reader to piece together.
 Romance: Features a love story or romantic relationship; generally lighthearted,
optimistic, and emotionally satisfying.
 Historical: Plot takes place in the past with balanced realism and creativity; can
feature actual historical figures, events, and settings.

Short Story: A Literary Genre

The short story as a genre epitomizes a dynamic interplay between literal and
conceptual meanings, presenting a concise yet potent narrative form that beckons
readers to explore beyond its surface. On a literal level, short stories encapsulate
succinct plots, well-defined characters, and often a singular theme or conflict within a
confined word count. This brevity, however, acts as a canvas for the conceptual
dimensions to unfold. Short stories frequently operate as allegories or metaphors,
encapsulating broader societal, psychological, or existential truths within their
narrative confines. This dual nature of literal brevity and conceptual depth allows
short stories to resonate with readers on both immediate and profound levels,
challenging them to unravel layers of meaning and prompting contemplation long
after the final words have been read.

Short Story: Definition

The short story, a concise narrative form within the literary canon, is characterized by
brevity and focus, typically encapsulating a single theme, conflict, or character
development in a limited word count.

Short Story: Types

Type of Short Story Description Example

Flash Fiction Extremely brief "For Sale: Baby Shoes,

narratives, often with a Never Worn" by
twist ending. Hemingway

Science Fiction Explores speculative or "The Martian" by Andy

 futuristic concepts. Weir

Mystery Involves a puzzle or "The Murders in the Rue

enigma, typically with Morgue" by Edgar Allan
suspense. Poe

Realistic Fiction Portrays everyday life "A&P" by John Updike

without fantastical
elements.

Historical Fiction Set in a specific "The Things They

historical period or Carried" by Tim O'Brien
context.

Fantasy Involves magical or "The Hobbit" by J.R.R.

supernatural elements. Tolkien

Satire Uses humor, irony, or "Animal Farm" by

ridicule to criticize George Orwell
society.

Horror Elicits fear and "The Tell-Tale Heart" by

suspense through eerie Edgar Allan Poe
elements.

Dystopian Explores nightmarish "The Lottery" by Shirley

visions of future Jackson
societies.
Short Story in Literature: Key Features
1. Brevity: Short stories are concise narratives that focus on a single theme,
incident, or character. They aim to deliver a complete narrative experience within
a limited word count.
2. Central Theme: Short stories often revolve around a central theme or idea,
providing a focused exploration of specific emotions, conflicts, or concepts.
3. Character Development: Despite their brevity, short stories can feature well-
developed characters that undergo significant changes or face challenges,
contributing to the narrative's depth.
4. Economy of Language: Short stories demand precision in language use. Every
word serves a purpose, contributing to the overall impact of the narrative.
5. Emphasis on Imagery: Short stories often rely on vivid imagery to convey
emotions, settings, and characters in a condensed format, engaging the reader's
senses.
6. Open or Closed Endings: Short stories can conclude with either open or closed
endings, leaving room for interpretation or providing a definitive resolution to the
narrative.
7. Exploration of Human Experience: Whether through realistic portrayals or
fantastical elements, short stories aim to capture facets of the human
experience, offering insights, reflections, or commentary on life.
8. Limited Setting: Due to their compact nature, short stories often have a limited
setting, focusing on specific locations or environments essential to the plot.
9. Crisis or Turning Point: Short stories frequently include a critical moment, often
referred to as the climax, where the narrative takes a decisive turn, leading to
resolution or a change in the characters' circumstances.
10. Narrative Structure: While there is flexibility, short stories typically follow a
traditional narrative structure with an introduction, rising action, climax, falling
action, and resolution.
Short Story in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term Definition

Plot The sequence of events that make up

the narrative structure.

Protagonist The main character or leading figure in

the short story.

Setting The time and place where the events

of the story occur.

Conflict The central struggle between opposing

forces or characters.

Theme The central idea or underlying

message explored in the story.

Point of View The perspective from which the story

is narrated.

Characterization The techniques used to develop and

 portray characters.

Irony A literary device where there is a

discrepancy between expectation and
reality.

Symbolism The use of symbols to represent ideas

or qualities.

Climax The turning point or moment of

greatest intensity in the story.