Introduction to Literary Studies

Course Code: UK1ENGDSC100

Semester 1 

BA English FYUGP 

University of Kerala

Module I : Introduction

Unit 1 

Art Form 

Art Form refers to a mode of creative expression through which human thoughts, emotions, and experiences are communicated. Literature is considered a verbal art form that uses language as its medium. Like music, painting, or dance, literature appeals to the senses and the intellect by evoking imagination and emotion. As an art form, literature combines aesthetic beauty with meaning, using elements like rhythm, imagery, and symbolism to convey its message. It reflects life, culture, and human nature, making it both an artistic and intellectual experience.

Oral Form and Written Form 

Literature exists in both oral and written forms.

The oral form is the oldest type of literature. It includes folk tales, ballads, myths, proverbs, and epics that were passed down by word of mouth across generations—like the Mahabharata or tribal songs. These forms often used rhythm, repetition, and storytelling techniques to help people remember them.

On the other hand, the written form of literature began when writing systems were developed. It includes poems, novels, dramas, and essays written and preserved in books. Written literature allows for deeper reflection, detailed expression, and wide preservation across time and space.

Both forms are valuable—oral literature keeps tradition alive, while written literature helps preserve ideas in a more permanent form.

Narrative Forms 

Narrative forms refer to the different ways a story is told in literature. The most common narrative forms are the novel, short story, epic, autobiography, and biography. Each form uses a narrator, characters, setting, and plot to present a sequence of events. Narrative forms may be first-person, where the narrator is part of the story, or third-person, where the narrator observes the story from outside. Different forms allow writers to explore various themes, styles, and structures while engaging the reader in the storytelling process.

Poetry 

Poetry is a literary form that expresses ideas, emotions, and experiences using a concentrated and imaginative use of language. It often features rhythm, rhyme, meter, and figurative language like metaphor, simile, and imagery. Poetry can be lyrical, narrative, or dramatic in form. It aims to evoke feelings and thoughts through its musical quality and emotional depth. Poets use various techniques such as repetition, alliteration, and symbolism to make their language more powerful and memorable.

Poetic Forms 

Poetic forms refer to the structure and style in which a poem is written. Each form has its own rules regarding length, rhyme scheme, meter, and subject. Common poetic forms include the sonnet (14-line poem, often about love), haiku (a 3-line Japanese poem with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern), ode (a lyrical poem praising something), elegy (a mournful poem for the dead), ballad (a narrative poem meant to be sung), and free verse (poetry without fixed rules). Poetic forms help shape the meaning, rhythm, and emotional effect of a poem.

Unit 2 

Prose 

Prose is a form of written or spoken language that follows the natural flow of speech without a structured meter or rhyme. It is used in everyday communication as well as in literary works like novels, short stories, essays, biographies, and plays in dialogue form. Unlike poetry, prose is organized into sentences and paragraphs. It focuses on clear expression of ideas, storytelling, and character development. Prose is the most common and flexible form of writing in literature.

Literary Fiction 

Literary fiction is a type of fiction that focuses on deep themes, complex characters, and stylistic language rather than fast-paced plots or entertainment. It explores the human condition, emotions, and moral questions through thoughtful storytelling. Unlike popular or genre fiction, literary fiction often avoids predictable endings and uses symbolism, layered narratives, and subtle character development. It is valued for its artistic merit, intellectual depth, and emotional impact.

Novel 

A novel is a long fictional narrative written in prose, usually focusing on characters, plot, and setting. It explores human experiences, emotions, and relationships in a detailed and structured way. Novels are divided into chapters and allow space for deep character development and multiple themes. They can belong to various genres like realistic, historical, romantic, or psychological fiction. The novel is one of the most popular forms of modern literature and reflects society, culture, and individual identity.

Novella 

A novella is a fictional prose narrative that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. It usually focuses on a single incident or character, with limited subplots. Novellas maintain the depth of character development seen in novels, but in a more concise form. They often have a clear structure and unity of theme and tone. Famous examples include The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka and Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

Short Story 

A short story is a brief work of fiction written in prose that focuses on a single character, event, or theme. It is meant to be read in one sitting and typically has a simple plot, limited characters, and a strong ending—often with a twist or moral. Short stories aim to create a powerful emotional effect within a short span. A famous example is "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, which beautifully captures love and sacrifice in a few pages.

Essay 

An essay is a short piece of nonfiction prose that presents the writer’s personal views, arguments, or reflections on a specific topic. It is usually structured into an introduction, body, and conclusion, and may be formal or informal in style. Essays can be descriptive, analytical, argumentative, or reflective. They aim to inform, persuade, or provoke thought in the reader. A well-known example is "Of Studies" by Francis Bacon, which discusses the value of reading and learning.

Unit 3 

Drama 

Drama is a literary form written to be performed on stage. It tells a story through dialogue and action, rather than narration. A drama usually includes elements like characters, plot, conflict, and setting. It is divided into acts and scenes, and it can be tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, or absurd drama. Drama aims to engage the audience emotionally and intellectually through live performance. A famous example is William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a tragedy that explores themes like revenge and madness.

Tragedy

Tragedy is a form of drama that deals with serious themes and typically ends in sorrow or disaster for the main character. The protagonist is often a person of high status who suffers a downfall due to a tragic flaw (hamartia), fate, or external forces. Tragedy aims to evoke pity and fear, leading to catharsis or emotional purification in the audience. A classic example is Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where ambition leads to the hero’s ruin.

Comedy 

Comedy is a type of drama that uses humour, wit, and satire to entertain and often ends on a happy or positive note. It usually involves misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and conflicts that are eventually resolved. The tone is light, and the characters are often everyday people. Comedy aims to provoke laughter while sometimes offering social or moral criticism. A well-known example is Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which combines romance and humour with clever wordplay and disguise.

Tragicomedy 

Tragicomedy is a dramatic form that blends elements of tragedy and comedy. It often presents serious or tragic situations but includes comic relief, and usually ends with a hopeful or happy resolution. Tragicomedies reflect the complex nature of human life, where joy and sorrow coexist. This form avoids complete despair like in tragedy, and also doesn’t promise total happiness like in comedy. A famous example is Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, which combines intense themes like justice and mercy with humorous characters and a satisfying ending.

One Act Plays 

A one-act play is a short dramatic work that is completed in a single act, without any division into scenes or intervals. It usually has a simple plot, few characters, and is set in a single location. One-act plays focus on one central idea or conflict and are meant to be performed in a short time, often under 30 minutes. They are effective for delivering strong messages or exploring a single emotional or social issue. A well-known example is “The Proposal” by Anton Chekhov, which combines humour and social satire in a brief format.

Melodrama 

Melodrama is a dramatic form that emphasizes strong emotions, sensational events, and clear moral distinctions between good and evil. Characters are often stereotypical—like the noble hero, the innocent heroine, and the evil villain. The plot is exaggerated, with unexpected twists, and often ends with the triumph of good. Melodramas aim to create intense emotional responses such as pity, fear, or excitement. A classic example is “The Octoroon” by Dion Boucicault, which uses heightened emotions and social themes to engage the audience.

Opera

Opera is a dramatic art form that combines music, singing, and theatre to tell a story. In opera, the dialogues are sung rather than spoken, and the performance is accompanied by an orchestra. It includes elements like arias (solo songs), choruses, and recitatives (sung dialogue). Opera blends poetry, drama, and music to create an emotional and artistic experience. A famous example is Mozart’s The Magic Flute, which combines fairy-tale elements with classical music and theatrical performance.

Pantomime 

Pantomime is a form of theatrical performance that tells a story without spoken words, using only gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. It often includes music, dance, and exaggerated actions to convey meaning. Traditionally, pantomime was used in ancient Roman theatre and later became popular as a form of comic entertainment, especially for children. It relies heavily on visual expression and audience interaction. A famous modern example is the work of Marcel Marceau, a legendary French mime artist.

Mime

Mime is a form of silent theatrical performance where the actor conveys a story, emotion, or idea through bodily movements, gestures, and facial expressions, without using speech. It focuses on physical expression and requires strong control over movement and timing. Mime is often performed solo and is closely related to pantomime, but is usually more artistic and abstract. One of the most famous mime artists is Marcel Marceau, known for his character “Bip the Clown.”

Ballet

Ballet is a classical form of dance-drama that tells a story or expresses emotions through graceful movements, gestures, and music, without spoken dialogue. Originating in the royal courts of Renaissance Italy and France, ballet combines elements of theatre, music, and choreography. It is known for its technical precision, elegant costumes, and expressive storytelling. Ballet often features themes from mythology, fairy tales, or romance. A famous example is Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, which tells a tragic love story through dance and orchestral music.

Electronic Literature 

Electronic literature refers to literary works that are created, read, and experienced using digital technologies such as computers, smartphones, and the internet. It goes beyond printed text by including hyperlinks, animations, sound, video, and interactivity. Unlike traditional literature, electronic literature is often non-linear, allowing readers to navigate the text in multiple ways. Examples include hypertext fiction, digital poetry, interactive storytelling, and AI-generated literature. A well-known example is "Afternoon, a story" by Michael Joyce, one of the earliest works of hypertext fiction.