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Introduction to Literary Subgenres. Literary Analysis 3.1: Structural Features of Literature English 11/12. Introduction. As you already know, a genre is a category of something. What are some genres of music? Rock Country Jazz Classical Rap.
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Introduction to Literary Subgenres Literary Analysis 3.1: Structural Features of Literature English 11/12
Introduction • As you already know, a genre is a category of something. What are some genres of music? • Rock • Country • Jazz • Classical • Rap • Good. Now, is it possible to break those categories down even further to more specific categories? Let’s take Rock as an example. How many different sub-categories can you come up with for Rock?
Introduction • Sub-Categories of Rock • Classic Rock • Alternative • Screamo • Metal • Pop • 80’s Rock • Etc.
Introduction O.k., so these sub-categories are just more exact descriptions of styles of music. In literature, we call these smaller categories Subgenres. Definition: A Subgenre is a very specific category of literature. Today, we will be examining 4 different subgenres, but there are many more.
Subgenre #1: Satire • Features of Satire • People, customs, or institutions are ridiculed with the purpose of improving society. • Humor • Exaggeration • Absurd Situations • Irony • Can be in any genre • Examples of Satire • The Onion • “The Devil and Tom Walker” • The Colbert Report • George Orwell’s 1984
Subgenre #1: Satire Activity How does the article “New Eco-Friendly Cigarettes” fulfill the features of a Satire? Ridicules society? Humorous? Exaggerated? Absurd? Ironic? Ridicules cigarette marketing AND environmental concerns. Its ironic combination of these two causes is funny. The possible positive environmental effects of smoking are exaggerated. The idea that cigarette manufacturers would try this type of marketing is absurd. The verbal irony extends throughout the article.
Subgenre #1: Satire Activity • While reading “The Devil and Tom Walker,” answer the following questions: • Through statements he makes about Tom Walker, his wife, and his community, what messages is Irving communicating about • Women (lines 31-37) • The Puritan attitude (lines 115-118) • The slave trade (lines 224-227) • Moneylenders (lines 228-230) • Much of the humor in this tale is based on irony, where what happens or is said is the opposite of what one would expect. Look carefully at lines 290-296. What is ironic about Tom’s mix of Bible study and business?
Subgenre #2: Parody • Features of Parody • A comic imitation of another work or type of literature. • NOT meant to excite social change. • Could be for criticism, pure humor, or flattery • Can be in any genre • Examples of Parody • Weird Al Yankovich (ie. “White and Nerdy) • Scary Movie, Epic Movie, Date Movie, etc. • Spaceballs • Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail • Don Quixote
Subgenre #2: Parody Activity Read Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (pg. 120-125) Write your own 1-paragraph Parody of “Sinners…” • Elements to Notice: • The Form is a Sermon • The Content is a serious call to repentance • The Style is passionate and emotional • Make sure to include: • Parody of Format • Parody of Content • Parody of Style
Subgenre #3: Allegory • Features of Allegory • A work that has two levels of meaning – one literal and one symbolic. • Most of the characters, objects, settings, and events represent abstract qualities. • Often used to teach a moral, religious, or social lesson. • Examples of Allegory • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe • “The Masque of the Red Death” • The Parable of the Prodigal Son • The Pilgrim’s Progress
Subgenre #3: Allegory Read / Review “Masque of the Red Death” as a class and complete Allegory chart together.
Subgenre #4: Pastoral • Features of Pastoral • Pastor = sheep / shepherd • The life of the shepherd is presented as pure and ideal. • This subgenre has come to include any idealization of the life of the countryside. • Look for rolling hills, sheep, simplicity of the outdoors • Usually found in poetry, but can be used to describe any genre • Example of Pastoral Poetry The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe (excerpt) Come live with me and be my Love, And we will all the pleasures prove That hills and valleys, dale and field, And all the craggy mountains yield. There will we sit upon the rocks And see the shepherds feed their flocks, By shallow rivers, to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.