ENED MODULE: 1
Introduction to Literature
What could be the difference between literature and history? Literature and history are closely
interrelated. In discovering the history of a race, the feelings, aspirations, customs and traditions of a
people are sure to be included and these feelings, aspirations, customs and traditions that are written
is literature. History can also be written and this too, is literature. Events that can be written down are
part of true literature. Literature, therefore, is part of history. Literature and history, however, also
have differences. Literature may be pigments of the imagination or events devoid of truth that have
been written down, while history is made up of events that really happened.
Essence and Significance of Literature
●Literature (origin of term- litera which means letter) deals with ideas, thoughts and emotions of
man- thus it can be said the literature is the story of man. Literature comes from the French
phrase “belles-letter” which means beautiful writing.
●Literature in its broadest sense, is everything that has ever been written.
●The best way to understand human nature fully and to know a nation completely is to study
literature.
●Through literature, we learn the innermost feelings and thoughts of people- the most real part
of themselves, thus we gain an understanding not only of others, but more importantly, of
ourselves and of life itself.
●Literature is a faithful production of life in a sense it is a product and a commentary on life
process.
●Literature offers us an experience in which we should participate as we read and test what we
read by our own experience.
●Literature is our life’s story including its struggles, ideas, failures, sacrifices and happiness.
●Literature appeals to a man’s higher nature and its needs- emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and
creative. Like all the other forms of art, literature entertains and gives pleasure; it fires the
imagination and arouses noble emotions and it enriches man by enabling him to reflect on life
and by filling him with new ideas.
The Five Main Genres of Literature
1. Fiction
It is one of the most popular genres of literature which features imaginary characters and events.
This genre is often broken up into five subgenres: fantasy, historical fiction, contemporary fiction,
