英国文学导引.pptVIP

An Introduction to Literature Purposes of reading literature What Is Literature What Is Literature? Literature comes from human interest in telling a story, in arranging words in artistic forms, in describing in words some aspects of our human experiences. Therefore, we can define literature as language artistically used to achieve identifiable literary qualities and to convey meaningful messages. It is characterized by beauty of expression and form and by universality of intellectual and emotional appeal. A Brief Definition of Literature Literature refers to well-structured language with artistic qualities, a reflection of life and human nature. Purposes in reading literature 1. Escaping the problem and responsibility of our everyday lives and participating in imaginative world of experience that differs greatly from our own. The Wind in the Willows, A Journey to the West, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,etc 2.Gaining information or knowledge: Pride and Prejudice, The Red Chamber Dream ( or A Dream of the Red Mansion) 3. Helps to shape and change our attitudes and expectations( to life) and become wiser and more sympathetic. continued 4.Gaining aesthetic pleasure. Through literature, we are inspired to perceive the beauty of the world which in turn will help us to transcend the troubles and sorrows of the present world. 5. Reading for pleasure( entertainment) and relaxation. 6. Reading for confronting experience. 7. Reading for profound understanding about human nature, know yourself. Fiction The definition The elements of fiction: plot,character,setting, point of view,theme,symbol ,style and tone What is fiction? Narrowly speaking, fiction refers to the short story and the novel( coming out in the late 18th century); broadly speaking, it refers to any narrative, in prose( novel, short story, drama, biography, history) or in verse (epic, ballad, idyll, dramatic monologue), that is wholly or in part the product of the imagination. Plot The plot of a wor