What is literature?

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Which literary works have you
already read ?

Literature = Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. 

(Oxford Dictionary of English)

Who do you think decides what literature is?

-> the Latin word litteratura was used to refer to all written works

->1700s intellectuals started developing an English literary canon, that could stand up to ancient classics by the likes of Homer and Virgil

-> create a 'national literature' of exemplary works

Who decided what literature is:

Intellectuals

Publishing companies

Academics

As author Daniel Mendelsohn notes in The New York Times, “Today, audiences as well as critics play a lively role in establishing which works get discussed, analyzed, noticed; the boil of resentment toward the literary gods—the Dionysuses who alone were once privileged to enshrine authors—has been lanced.”

Why this change?

For the following question

first discuss with the students around you 

What are YOUR criteria for books to be considered literature?

What is literature for?
What is the use?

Listening exercise

Ted Talk: How books can open your mind

Fill out the worksheet while listening

Does it matter what the intentions of the author were?