Approaches that Help to Use to Analyze Literature - Assignment Example

Questions Week 5 What approaches can you use to analyze literature? Literature is best analyzed when there is adequate choice of grammar and correct usage of words. Literature is aptly demonstrated through the use of pointers which are present within a story, poem or any other piece of writing that could be bracketed as ‘literature’. What is most important is the idea to gauge whether or not the relevant piece of literature discusses the subject at hand in the light of the words that have been chosen and the phrasing which has been done. The approaches that could be employed in the wake of identifying the true self of literature include the understanding related with the topic under discussion, the literary settings under which the piece of literature is written and lastly the era in which the author or poet hailed from. This is an amalgamation of a number of different attributes – all of which contribute to the wholesome basis that we know as literature. It would not be wrong here to state that literature is dependent on a number of different variables, most of which belong from the correct narration styles and the manner in which characters relate with the story or poem. If there is a catch within the literary piece, it is most likely that the entire piece of literature could be termed as flawed right from the onset, which would essentially mar the fundamental basis of penning down and thus analyzing the authenticity of genuine literary works and indeed the concept of literature. 2. How might secondary sources clarify the comparison between two or more literary works? Secondary sources are a useful tool of measuring the quality of literary works. This is because they relate to the quality literature time and again in different quotations and citations which are placed within these secondary sources. Thus there is a lot of room for understanding what exactly qualifies as a piece of literature that is of the highest quality possible and what is otherwise. One must comprehend the fact that secondary sources give a somewhat correct measure of the comparison that is done between these literary works as the choice of narrations is made pertinent all this while and the words that have been used are more or less in line with the demands of the events, happenings and situations within the poem or story so to speak. This essentially marks the make-up of the literature that we are discussing here. Since secondary sources are themselves a good judge of describing literature over non-literary and un-qualified work, they provide a better yardstick when it comes to comparing one piece of literature over another and vice versa. Secondary sources always depict the authenticity and correction of grammar, events, narrations, words and stanzas within the fables and poems and there is little doubt over their authenticity as renowned authors and poets contribute directly towards the compilation of the secondary sources. All said and done, it is pretty easy to suggest one piece of literature is of higher quality than the other when the talk goes out loud of the relation and the eventual comparison between literary works. 3. What have you learned about the connection of literature and society? Both fiction and nonfiction, coming under the due auspices of literature have a connection with the norms and routines of a particular society. Since literature takes care of the actual events as well as the fictional texts, emphasis is more or less laid on the literary works that have a deep embedded meaning attached with them. Society looks up to the literature that is there on offer and thus provides a basis of its own intellect and a sense of understanding that is made apparent through their readings and the choice of words heard in their adopted languages. This could even include the correctness which is manifested through their proper usage of their mother tongue, coming directly under the ranks of societal concerns when one speaks of the literature and its associated values. What I have learned with the passage of time about literature and its relation with society lies in the fact that society has a huge role to play as to how the literature finally shapes up and what the customs and practices of the society are going to be are easily documented through the usage of the words and grammar that is easily seen in the literature of this region or society for that matter. 4. How can literature in its many forms affect your critical thinking about life and people? Literature can affect the way in which people think, feel and act within a society since it is in line with their beliefs, work ethics and above all thinking mindsets. Thus it makes all the more reason that their literature speaks their own language, though not in the literal sense of the word. What we must make sure is that the literature does not give out meanings which are not in line with the societal norms and the practices that come under the traditional and more sophisticated ranks. Literature has always spoken the language of the elites and thus had made its way through the masses through the correct pronunciation patterns and words’ choice and the eventual usage of the same. The critical thinking of people changes when they find that the generally accepted procedures and norms within the society are not in line with what is being preached through the different literary works and the overall scene of literature thus paves the way for future considerations. At the end of the day, it is the direct connection between literature and the commoner of a society which is being tested at all times and no force whatsoever can play its role at changing or altering this person’s mindset. He has to adopt or reject this literature through his own personal experiences, the customary usage of words and grammar and the manner in which people around him have taken up the literary values and beliefs that come part and parcel with the very same. 5. Do you have a favorite example of how literature reflects society? What is it? Why is this favorite example of yours? My favorite example of literature that reflects the basis of society is that of a poem titled The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. It seems to outline the manner in which a young man, narrator, without a gender is all set to kill an old man and thus bring an end to the life that this old man has had. What the poet suggests is that the narrator within the poem forgets the fact that the old man has a right to live his own life and he, the narrator, has got no right whatsoever to bring an ultimate halt to his life. I believe this poem somewhat truly depicts the manner in which literature and society are inter-linked since no one can force people into adopting literature within their lives without any solid reason or point of evidence. There needs to be some basis for understanding that the literature under discussion can change the lives of the people within the society for the better and mend their fortunes for good. However what literature does is to provide them a short cut or a way, rest is up to the people to devise philosophies and tools so that they could reach their eventual goal – which is happiness and contentment all said and done. Word Count: 1,253 Read More