Introduction to Literature

Reading (and responding to) literature. Part 1 Fiction: a first approach to fiction; stories and meanings; narrative and point of view; allegory and symbolism; in brief - getting ideas for writing about fiction; a fiction writer in depth - Flannery O'Connor; a collection of short fiction; observations on the novel. Part 2 Poetry: a first approach to poetry; lyric poetry; the speaking tone of voice; figurative language - simile, metaphor, personification, apostrophe; figurative language - imagery and symbolism; irony and paradox; rhythm and versification; in brief - getting ideas for writing about poetry; two poets in depth - Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost; a collection of poems. Part 3 Drama: some elements of drama; tragedy; comedy; getting ideas for writing about drama; plays for further study. Appendices: writing essays about literature; remarks about manuscript form; corrections in the manuscript; quotations in the manuscript; quotations and quotation marks.