Chapter 1 Study Guide
Angela Addington
INTRODUCTION
1. Read carefully the quote by Henry James. If we used this quote as a kind of motto for this class, what would it imply about the class and its values?
ANSWER:>>>>> Although I do not yet have the actual text, in reading several quotes of Henry James as well as class responses I did come to gain a possible perspective. From what I gather, the author had intentions of giving people a reason to read literature. A reason to try and see what an author might have intended. For this class in particular, I would see the implication in reading a piece of work with an open mind with open interpretations. Overall, I would hope the implication would be writing is subjective to the reader. Not all written works are considered literature by all, but writing and knowledge have the potential of providing a wealth of knowledge to the reader.
HOW HAVE PEOPLE DEFINED LITERATURE?
2. When did the term literature originate?
ANSWER:>>>>> The term literature and it’s origination is debatable, but early writing including the Epic of Gilgamesh, and Egyptian Book of the Dead mark the first examples of writing and in some circles can be considered literature. These writings date back to as early as 2000 BC. Other forms of literature include the first five books of the Bible, which date back to 10th century BC. This was a form that was originally an oral tradition until it was finally written down. Another example that is considered the origination of literature includes Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. This has an oral tradition that traces back to the late Bronze Age. Whether one defines the origination with Homer or Sumerians, it is clear that the origination of literature began as oral tradition.
5. The book mentions that the narrow definition that prevailed to the mid-1900’s became vulnerable in the 70’s and is still vulnerable today. What happened to the term? Why is it now vulnerable?
ANSWER:>>>>> Following the 1960s free thinking ideals,
INTRODUCTION
1. Read carefully the quote by Henry James. If we used this quote as a kind of motto for this class, what would it imply about the class and its values?
ANSWER:>>>>> Although I do not yet have the actual text, in reading several quotes of Henry James as well as class responses I did come to gain a possible perspective. From what I gather, the author had intentions of giving people a reason to read literature. A reason to try and see what an author might have intended. For this class in particular, I would see the implication in reading a piece of work with an open mind with open interpretations. Overall, I would hope the implication would be writing is subjective to the reader. Not all written works are considered literature by all, but writing and knowledge have the potential of providing a wealth of knowledge to the reader.
HOW HAVE PEOPLE DEFINED LITERATURE?
2. When did the term literature originate?
ANSWER:>>>>> The term literature and it’s origination is debatable, but early writing including the Epic of Gilgamesh, and Egyptian Book of the Dead mark the first examples of writing and in some circles can be considered literature. These writings date back to as early as 2000 BC. Other forms of literature include the first five books of the Bible, which date back to 10th century BC. This was a form that was originally an oral tradition until it was finally written down. Another example that is considered the origination of literature includes Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. This has an oral tradition that traces back to the late Bronze Age. Whether one defines the origination with Homer or Sumerians, it is clear that the origination of literature began as oral tradition.
5. The book mentions that the narrow definition that prevailed to the mid-1900’s became vulnerable in the 70’s and is still vulnerable today. What happened to the term? Why is it now vulnerable?
ANSWER:>>>>> Following the 1960s free thinking ideals,