Transcript Introduction to Literary Subgenres

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?
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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 subcategories 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
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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
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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?
 Ridicules cigarette marketing AND
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 Exaggerated?
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 Absurd?
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 Ironic?
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:
1.
Through statements he makes about Tom Walker, his wife, and
his community, what messages is Irving communicating about
a)
b)
c)
d)
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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
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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
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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)
 Elements to Notice:
 The Form is a Sermon
 The Content is a serious
call to repentance
 The Style is passionate
and emotional
Write your own 1-paragraph
Parody of “Sinners…”
 Make sure to include:
 Parody of Format
 Parody of Content
 Parody of Style
Subgenre #3: Allegory
 Features of Allegory
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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
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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.
Item from Story
The Prince
The Abbey
The Clock
The Stranger
The Colors
Possible Meaning
Possible Lesson of Story
Subgenre #4: Pastoral
 Features of Pastoral
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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.