The word literature is
derived from the Latin word, “litera” which means letter. There are various
definitions and types of English literature but in most cases, it is
conclusively believed that literature is a written form of text additionally
qualifying the adjectives such as,” imaginative”, “aesthetic” and “artistic”.
These adjectives determine it different from other texts like news, legal
documents, medical reports, or any other technical writing or press releases.
Literature’s types can
be classified into two main types i.e. prose and poetry. In prose, we further
read Novels, Novella, Short stories, Dramas, Legends, Folklores, Tales, Fables,
Myths, Anecdotes, and to some extent essays. In poetry, we further come across
three types i.e. Narrative poetry, Dramatic Poetry, and Lyrics poetry.
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Let’s take a look one by one;
A- Prose/Fiction
Difference among
Novel, Novella, and Short story
A novel is something
new and striking written work with a significant length. It is posing and
dealing with the complexity of an issue while coping with the characters,
dealing with the dialogues, playing with the plot, streaming in the setting,
creating a conflict, reaching a climax, putting a well-knitted plot while
approaching a climax and at the end reach a resolution.
The younger sibling of
the novel, novella, with the same main attributes, is shorter in length as well
as the complexity of plot and characters. If we want to know about the
mathematical count, it may fall between more than 20,000 and less than 50,000
words. It is longer than a short story. Due to fewer conflicts, the novella
mainly deals with a single plot revolving around a protagonist.
The youngest of all is a short story. It is a crispier crunchy genus in which one can finish a short story in a single sitting. As for word count, it runs between more than 1600 to less than 20,000 words. Like elder siblings, it too covers five basic elements i.e. the characters, the plot, the setting, the conflict, the climax, and the resolution.
Dramas
It is a composition which meant to be performed. Here the story or plot is not communicated in narration but the characters and the series of events are designed in a way that they reveal automatically. From history, it is always a sort of attraction for literature lovers. As it invites more than one sense of audience to indulge in and create a resemblance from their own real life. The characters and the story though fictional but they keep captivating their spectators to remain intact. There are further many types of dramas, such as comedy, tragedy, melodrama, farce, opera, and docudrama, etc.
Legends
A narrated story about people or places or some events from past times which can’t be traced back or certified from history although many people consider it true. The hyperbolic attitude while dealing with maybe a real event or personality description sets legend stands apart. Legends, narrated from the third person’s point of view, mostly revolve around exaggerated plots, conflicts, and suspense. These are traditional stories sometimes carrying a moral lesson.
Folklore
Folktales take you in a virtual spell-bounded world. A world of devils, demons, wizards, witches, and sometimes animals are seen speaking. These are dealt with in simple settings and deep emotions. The characters are mostly flat. Both protagonists, male and female, besides being shown loving, caring, and courageous also bestowed by one or more magical powers which they use only for positive purposes. It all includes human kindness and a happy ending after generating a simple conflict and fast action. It has more attractions for people of younger age.
Fables
Like its family of folklore and legend, fables focus on a supernatural world where animals and plants can act as protagonists. Forces from nature are also given ample role to play in the otherwise simple plot. The paradox of personification takes the reader into the world of true imaginations. The reader’s attraction multiplies when a fable writer enables its reader to enter a fanciful world having a conflict between good and evil which is resolved with the victory of good at the end. This drawing-room story also carries one or more moral lessons.
Myths
In English literature, we heard about Greek and Roman Mythology. These are all believed stories from generation to generation; it has nothing to do with reality or truth. It is about gods and goddesses, demigods and deities, and their powers bestowed to them by nature. Closer to religious believes, many peoples have staunch holds on it rather they adopt them in their life practices. The origin or history isn’t determinable. Characters are supernatural worlds with paranormal strengths. It always has a deep fascination effect on its reader.
Anecdote
Unlike the above-mentioned genre, anecdotes are briefly told short stories about incidents or happening with a person. It can be funny or serious both depending upon the occurrence or experience one has in his or her lifetime. It can be interesting when a person accumulates some adventurous scenes as well while narrating the event. The characters are from the real world. So the reader's interest involves a lot due to its being short and being from real life.
B- Poetry
Narrative poetry
It is also called a novel in verse. Closer to novel-style, it is a type of log narrative form like epic or ballads. A reader can find all elements of a novel but in a poetic way. With a particular plot, consisting of a start, middle and end, it deals with a conflict, climax, and characters. The reader can find the setting, dialogues, and proper rising of the conflict or action and falling of the conflict with a series of events, in this rhythmic form just like in a novel. It is written in free verse but sometimes a metrical verse is also used to narrate the story. Very classical vocabulary and language are used to narrate the story lyrically. Reader’s interest keeps intact due to its continuity of narration.
Dramatic poetry
It is a type of poetry that not only can be sung but can also be performed on stage. Consisting of dramatic elements like dialogues, soliloquies, and monologues, the emotional element increases in this dramatic form as poetry is already, “a spontaneous overflow of emotions” according to Wordsworth. When sung with a dramatic tone it pours spelling effect on the audience. Historically this form can be found in the Shakespearean age and before it. Both comedy and tragedy can be described in dramatic poetry.
Lyrics poetry
“a spontaneous
overflow of emotion”, deals with every feeling related to nature to human love,
excitement, ecstasy, or even sadness. It is a short musical form meant to be
sung. Things are described most rhythmically. Even kids allure towards the
subject sung in this way. Written in couplet form and simple language is one of
its basic features. The continuity of thoughts makes it more charming to recite
or listen.
The article is
written by Farrukh Anjum, one of the contributors at the School of
Literature.
