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Week 4: Literature
HUMN 100 6981 Introduction to Humanities (2215) OO
Literature
The only end of writing is to
enable the readers better to
enjoy life, or better to endure it.
—Samuel Johnson
Three Women Enjoying Literary Pursuits by Katsukawa Shunchō
This image is in the public domain.
—
Overview
What Is Literature and Why Do We Read It?
We gain pleasure from reading literature on two levels. First, on a surface level, literature
offers us a form of escapism as we become engrossed in the world of the text. Secondly,
we gain pleasure on a deeper level when we note literature’s ability to imitate reality.
Readers can find authenticity in all types of literature, from realism to science fiction and
fantasy. Accomplished poets, for example, can recreate the exquisite beauty of a flower or
the terrifying power of a storm in their poems. Authors can bring imaginary characters to
life so vividly that we become intimately involved in their struggles and care about their
fates.
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When characters become real to us, we inevitably begin to ask questions about their
behavior. What are their motivations? What are the consequences of their behavior?
Their struggles with conflicts involving love, faith, or death often raise complex questions
regarding the nature of human experience and help us to gain deeper understanding of
those experiences.
In his Nobel acceptance speech, William Faulkner noted that great literature explores and
illuminates the “problems of the human heart in conflict with itself” (179). C. S. Lewis
expands on this theme, suggesting that “[l]iterature adds to reality; it does not simply
describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides;
and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.”(2)
How Do We Read and Understand Literature?
In to read literature with a fuller understanding and deeper enjoyment, we must
become actively engaged with the text. An active reader, Virginia Woolf insists, becomes
the “author’s fellow-worker and accomplice.”(3) She stresses the importance of a close
collaboration between reader and writer, using the term “accomplice” to mean “assistant.”
In other words, the reader must assist in the writer’s creation of fictional worlds. Woolf
determines that readers “must be capable not only of great fineness of perception, but of
great boldness of imagination if [they] are going to make use of all that the [author] gives
[them]” (258).
We must be open to the author’s presentation of new ways of looking at our world in
to gain insights into the literary work. We also must acquire the tools necessary to
engage in close readings of, and critical thinking about, the text.
Here are some questions to consider when you are reading a piece of literature for the
first time:
How do you feel about the images, characters, and story?
Why do the characters act the way they do and why does the story ends as it
does?
How can the story details be summarized or the lines in the poem paraphrased to
ensure that you have a good understanding of its surface elements?
You should also read a work twice if you are going to interpret it, and during your second
reading, you should begin to think more critically about the work. During your second
reading you should:
Ask questions. Look up any words that you do not know. Think about why the
author chose a specific word, scene, or character to include in the work.
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Identify the individual parts of the text and their relation to the entire story or
poem.
Identify and apply the the literary components you have learned for each genre to
the text.
Determine what you think the work is about—what is the author saying?
Examine how the author conveys an idea, what form and technique he or she
employs to get it across to the reader.
Identify specific details from the text that illustrate or support your hypothesis that
the author is exploring a certain point.
A Note About Interpretation
We can never be sure what an author’s intended meaning is. We only can arrive at a
careful consideration of what the meaning appears to be. Therefore, we should avoid any
conclusion that insists that there is only one correct interpretation of the work. Great
literature often presents complex points of view and can support varied interpretations.
Keep in mind, however, that not all interpretations are equally valid. We all bring our own
experiences to the reading process and so inevitably, we look at works in different ways.
Yet, when we present our interpretation of a particular work, we must provide careful
evidence by pointing out specific patterns of imagery and/or story details.
Three Key Tools for Interpretation
There are three essential conceptual tools used in the study of literature for
interpretation: (1) literary language, (2) literary genres, and (3) literary terminology. Below
are some links to help you better understand each category.
1. Literary language vs. ordinary language: This is the difference between language
you would use every day to communicate and language that is used in literature to
convey more than one meaning, ambiguous meanings, or deeper meanings.
2. Literary genres: poetry fiction, drama: These are the different types of literature
which can often need a different approach to interpretation.
3. Literary terms: These are the building blocks of interpretation. More information
about them is also available here and in the glossary of the Poetry Archive.
Methods of Studying Literature
So how does one analyze and interpret literature? There are many answers to this
question, but basically, besides the three tools noted above, there are also there are many
critical theories that are used, including psychological, cultural, sociological, historical,
biographical, and political perspectives.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/literary-language
http://dictionary.reference.com/slideshows/literary-terms#metaphor
https://www.oxford-royale.co.uk/articles/literary-terms-english.html
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One example of a critical theory is called formalism. Formalism seeks to examine the text
closely, weighing the significance of every sentence, every line, every phrase, every word.
Formalism seeks to honor the complexity and richness of literary texts by interrogating
their significance at a very small and detailed level. But having done this, the good student
of literature then seeks to incorporate this analysis into a larger interpretation that might
be grounded in one of the critical methods noted just now: psychological, political, etc.
Some of the key ideas from Formalism include:
A work of literature should exist for its own sake.
The author’s biography, the time and place in which in which it was written, and
the emotional response it evokes in its readers do not affect its meaning or value.
The study of literature should analyze literary components to discover how those
components interact and establish unity.
The method used to accomplish this analysis is close reading, which promotes an
examination of the complex interrelations, ambiguities, and multiple meanings
within a work. These elements produce a complex interplay among tension, irony,
and paradox, which are organized and reconciled around a central, human theme.
The main fictional elements of focus are story, plot, narration, point of view, tone,
voice, language, and symbol.
The main poetic elements are form, imagery, figurative language, symbol, diction,
meter, rhythm, and rhyme.
Formalists examine how these elements interact in sometimes contradictory ways but
ultimately form a unified whole that provides a meaningful statement on the human
condition.
Learning Outcomes
Following is a list of the Week 4 outcomes, mapped to the corresponding course
outcome. The course outcomes give “the big picture,” and the weekly outcomes provide
more detailed information that will help you achieve the course outcomes.
Week 4 Outcomes
Describe the differences between literary and ordinary language (2).
Identify and apply distinctions among literary genres (1, 2).
Identify and apply literary terminology (2).
Explain some of the different methods used to interpret literature, especially
formalism (2, 3).
Analyze and interpret literary works in light of these categories and distinctions (2,
3).
Analyze and interpret literary works within and across different cultures (3, 4).
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Week 4 Checklist
Checklist
Week 4 Study Guide
Web Page
Course Outcomes Met in Week 4
Describe and analyze the way human culture is expressed through works of
literature, performing and visual arts, philosophy, and religion in to appreciate
the depth and breadth of the humanities disciplines.
Use basic vocabulary, concepts, methods, and theories of the humanities disciplines
in to describe and analyze cultural and artistic expressions.
Identify and apply criteria in to evaluate individual and collective cultural
accomplishments.
Examine individual and cultural perspectives in the field of humanities in to
recognize and assess cultural diversity and the individual’s place in the world.
Footnotes
William Faulkner, “Nobel Prize Speech.” In Our Own Words: Extraordinary
Speeches of the American Century, ed. Andrew Carroll (New York: Washington
Square Press, 2000): 179.
Paul Holmer, C.S. Lewis: The Shape of His Faith and Thought, (New York: Harper
Collins, 1976): 139.
Virginia Woolf, The Second Common Reader (Fort Washington, PA: Harvest Books,
2003): 258.
0 % 0 of 6 topics complete
Read the Weekly Overview (including the links in the Weekly Overview) and
Learning Goals
Read, View, Review all of the Learning Resources & Links
Participate in our Discussions
Take the Quiz
Complete & Submit your Cultural Experience #1
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Week 4 Learning Resources
External Learning Tool
Week 4: QUIZ
Quiz
WEEK 4 DISCUSSION: Interpreting Literature
Discussion Topic
Take the quiz before you post to the discussions.
Please use the Learning Resources from this module to answer the quiz questions. You
may take this quiz up to five times. Questions you have answered incorrectly will be
shown to you after each attempt. Your best grade will be recorded in the grade book.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCUSSIONS: Your contributions should be thoughtful
and developed. Answer all parts of the question and use concepts from the course
materials. Use a professional style of communication, with attention to grammar, spelling,
and typos; cite your sources.
Unless your instructor specifies otherwise, choose ONE of the following questions, and
give a substantive response to at least two other students.
1. FICTION & FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Choose three of the pieces of fiction in the Learning Resources, identify the use of
specific literary language in each, and explain how it expresses one of the character’s
feelings or thoughts, functions to convey the mood of a character, or conveys the overall
tone or theme of the story.
Make sure to include a specific quote from each piece of fiction and to use
one interpretative tool from the Learning Resources or Module introduction that refers to
figurative language in your analysis for each (for example, metaphor, simile, hyperbole
etc.) in your analysis. Underline or bold any interpretative tools in your post.
2. POETRY & IMAGERY
For each of the three poems in the Learning Resources (“Far Memory,” “You,Doc Martin,”,
“A Bride in the 30s”) identify some specific imagery used by the poet and explain how this
imagery conveys additional meaning about the subject or creates a unique perspective on
the subject through appealing to the senses.
Make sure to include a specific quote or line from each poem and in your analysis, and to
use at least one interpretative tool from the Learning Resources or Module introduction in
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Cultural Experience Report #1
Assignment
Due July 13 at 11:59 PM
your analysis. Underline or bold any interpretative tools in your post.
3. POETRY & FICTION THEMES
Pick one of the poems or stories from the Learning Resources and identify a key theme of
the work. Using interpretative tools from the Learning Resources or Module introduction
that refers to figurative language, carefully analyze and interpret your poem or story as an
expression of this theme. Choose three specific quotes or lines from the piece of work
and show how each exemplifies this theme through its use of literary language.
Make sure to use an interpretative tool that refers to figurative language for each (for
example, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, imagery etc.) in your analysis. Underline or bold all
of the interpretative tools in your post.
You will not see any other postings until you post your own.
Initial posts are due by Saturday at 11:30PM ET and at least two responses to fellow
classmates are expected by the end of the academic week on Tuesday by 11:30PM ET.
Cultural Experience Field Report #1
Note: This assignment has been adapted to adhere to the current guidance from the CDC
for social distancing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For this assignment, you will choose a virtual cultural venue from the instructions below
to visit online and write a short 500-800 word report about your visit.
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to introduce you to the process of
engaging with the cultural venues and communities. This will inform you
personally of the Humanities and groups that support it.
Skills
This assignment will help you practice the following skills that will be useful
to you in your professional and personal life beyond school.
Identify cultural venues and inform you with deeper knowledge about the art form
chosen.
Organize reflections about engaging with a cultural experience and community
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Use concepts and skills learned in class to describe and interpret cultural
experiences and communities
Use appropriate and proper grammar, organization, and academic-
style formatting in to communicate
Knowledge
This assignment will help you become familiar with the following important
content knowledge in the Humanities.
Available virtual cultural venues and communities
Methods of interpretation within the Humanities
Instructions
For your report, choose one virtual venue from this pre-approved list that
most interests you, or contact your professor for approval of your
own online choice. If your choice below has both a website and a video,
make sure you examine both. If you need special accommodations to
complete this assignment, please inform your instructor and contact
the Accessibility Accommodations office for guidance.
ART MUSEUMS AND SCULPTURE GARDENS
Great Museums documentaries
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
China: East Meets West in the Metropolitan
https://greatmuseums.org/china-west-meets-east-at-the-metropolitan-museum-
of-art/
The Great Museums of Havana
The DuSable Museum of African-American History:
The Modern Museum of Art
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Egyptian Antiquities virtual tour at the Louvre
http://musee.louvre.fr/visite-louvre/index.html?defaultView=rdc.s46.p01&lang=ENG
Gallerie d’Appollon virtual tour at the Louvre
http://mini-site.louvre.fr/apollon/index_apollon.html
London National Gallery Google virtual tour of Renaissance paintings
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tours/google-virtual-tour
London National Gallery 2011 Adobe Flash tour
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tours/virtual-tour-2011
New Orleans Museum of Art virtual tour
The British Museum of the World virtual tour with Google
https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
Castle of Chenonceau, Chenonceaux, France (2 parts)
Explore the Google Maps views
https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/ch%C3%A2teau-de-
chenonceau/bAGahgL1zrFeRw?
sv_lng=1.070184489958876&sv_lat=47.32482656207214&sv_h=116.793183580
59614&sv_p=0.0654921116921372&sv_pid=dgEhnn7ldWMgXTDy44vl3Q&sv_z=
0.5853435883481253
Review the Collection of Unique Works
https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/chenonceau-a-collection-
of-unique-works/kQJi80RByzIxJw
The Dalí Museums (2 parts)
Explore the virtual tour
https://www.salvador-dali.org/en/museums/dali-theatre-museum-in-
figueres/visita-virtual/
Watch the video tour
Smithsonian National Quilt Collection (3 parts)
Explore the online collection of quilts
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/national-quilt-collection
Watch the video on machine quilting
https://www.si.edu/object/smithsonian-national-quilt-collection-machine-
http://musee.louvre.fr/visite-louvre/index.html?defaultView=rdc.s46.p01&lang=ENG
http://mini-site.louvre.fr/apollon/index_apollon.html
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tours/google-virtual-tour
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tours/virtual-tour-2011
https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/ch%C3%A2teau-de-chenonceau/bAGahgL1zrFeRw?sv_lng=1.070184489958876&sv_lat=47.32482656207214&sv_h=116.79318358059614&sv_p=0.0654921116921372&sv_pid=dgEhnn7ldWMgXTDy44vl3Q&sv_z=0.5853435883481253
https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/chenonceau-a-collection-of-unique-works/kQJi80RByzIxJw
https://www.salvador-dali.org/en/museums/dali-theatre-museum-in-figueres/visita-virtual/
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/national-quilt-collection
https://www.si.edu/object/smithsonian-national-quilt-collection-machine-quilting:yt_FPnL1i7-UgY
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quilting:yt_FPnL1i7-UgY
Watch the video tour
https://www.si.edu/object/smithsonian-national-quilt-collection-
overview:yt__7JvsKwCWfk
Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden (2 parts)
Explore the garden’s web site
https://noma.org/sculpture-garden/works-in-the-garden/
Watch video tours:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNPjnWsFYe0
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT-H5aNAfcM
Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum (2 parts)
Explore the Exhibitions
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions
Watch Freedom Calling: Interactive Tour
https://www.facebook.com/NMAAHC/videos/10154508052246990/
Smithsonian Renwick Gallery in VR (requires download of Wonder 360 app on any
device)
https://americanart.si.edu/wonder360
The VR Museum (free, requires free STEAM account & HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, or Valve
Index)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/515020/The_VR_Museum_of_Fine_Art/
MUSIC CONCERT (please watch full performances)
New Orleans: A Living Museum of Music documentary
An Evening of Classical Violin and Tabla (Kennedy Center)
Liberated Muse (Kennedy Center)
Brianna Thomas (Kennedy Center)
https://www.si.edu/object/smithsonian-national-quilt-collection-machine-quilting:yt_FPnL1i7-UgY
https://www.si.edu/object/smithsonian-national-quilt-collection-overview:yt__7JvsKwCWfk
https://noma.org/sculpture-garden/works-in-the-garden/
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions
https://www.facebook.com/NMAAHC/videos/10154508052246990/
https://americanart.si.edu/wonder360
https://store.steampowered.com/app/515020/The_VR_Museum_of_Fine_Art/
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Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Light is the Same: Celebrating Women Composers (Millennium Stage)
Mandy Harvey (Kennedy Center)
Angélique Kidjo, Renée Fleming and Jason Moran (Kennedy Center)
Gaby Moreno (Millennium Stage)
The Gothard Sisters (Millennium Stage)
Kandace Springs (Millennium Stage)
C4 Trio (Millennium Stage)
National Jazz Workshop Big Band (Millennium Stage)
Dakh Daughters (Millennium Stage)
Ramy Essam (Millennium Stage)
Anda Union (Millennium Stage)
DANCE PERFORMANCE (please watch full performances)
Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky
Tinsel and Bone (Kennedy Center)
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Native Pride Dancers – (Millenium Stage)
S/HE by MN Dance Company
Revelations by Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
Furia Flamenca (Kennedy Center)
Uprooted Dance (Kennedy Center)
Surati: Classical Indian and Folk Dance
Tamagawa University Dance and Taiko Group (Kennedy Center)
Peruvian Music and Dance
Washington School of Ballet Performance (Millennium Stage)
Rwandan Traditional Dance
Xiutia Puerto Vallarta: Mexican Folk Dance
Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago
Restrictions: The experience should be viewed during the current semester. If this is
impossible, contact the instructor to arrange for alternatives. You may not report on a
cultural experience viewed prior to this class.
Write a report after you have explored or viewed the online resource.
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Your report should include the following information. Include photos or links that help
convey the information. As always, be sure to document all sources you consult in
preparing your work. This includes any learning resources from the class,
or information from the websites that informed you about
the particular item you explored.
Name and location of the museum, site, or performance event. If there is on-line
information about the site or performance, be sure to include a link to it within the
text of your essay in an appropriate place.
Type of museum, site or event. For example is it a portrait or sculpture museum, a
music concert, or dance performance? If you viewed a performance, name the
performer or the piece.
Briefly describe the general setting by talking a bit about the location (you can
research the location online) and the general overall “vibe” of the place.
Describe at least one aspect of the experience that you found especially
interesting. For example, you might write about a particular work of art, cultural
artifact, song, dance section, costumes or lighting, a particular vocalist, etc. Explain
what impressed or affected you, and why. Your reaction can be positive or
negative, as long as you offer an explanation.
Identify and use at least two tools, concepts or methods that you have learned
about in this class in the Learning Resources to talk about your viewing. For
example, if you do a virtual museum tour, you might point out how color works in
one of the paintings, or if you view to a concert, talk about how rhythm works in
one of the songs. Make sure you are explicit in identifying the
tools/concept/methods you are using and the specific learning
resources they come from. Make sure to inform the reader about the
tool/concept/method through a quote or paraphrase from the learning resource.
Then, make sure to tell the reader how you interpret and/or analyze some elements
of what you experience with the tools.
Be sure to cite the learning resources you have used in MLA format. Please
see http://sites.umgc.edu/library/libhow/mla_examples.cfm
Reflect on the relevance–if any–of your experience to your everyday life. How did
the experience engage your feelings or emotions, if at all? What does this tell you
about human culture, and/or about yourself?
STOP: Before you hand in your assignment, ask yourself the following questions:
http://sites.umgc.edu/library/libhow/mla_examples.cfm
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