Intro to Western Literature

T.J. Gong

Why Learning?

Why (Western) Literature?

• What Is Literature• “Literature is the creation of another world, a world that

we can only see through (reading, watching or listening to) literature (fiction, film or music) .”

“Applied Literature”

• Literature is LANGUAGE (e.g., forbidden fruit)• Literature is CULTURE (historical/cultural

background, e.g., sabbatical leave)• Literature is LIFE (interacting with the text. e.g.,

love is ___.)• “. . .language instruction toward the student's

acquiring of a deeper understanding of the historical, political, and cultural uses of the target language.”

“Applied Literature”

• Technology• Business• Marketing• Management• Architecture• Psychology

What do we mean by “Western”?

• “Western” – European and European-driven cultures

What do we mean by “Western”?

• “Western” – Near Eastern• Western – The Bible &

Greek and Roman Mythology

Goal of the Course

• Language (Typhoon) • Culture (holidays)• Life (Sabbath)

Why the Bible?

• How many of the

the books have you

read?

What do people say about…

• Romans 5:3-5

What do people say about…

• English has two book; the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare, but the Bible made England. (Victor Hugo)

• Education is useless with the Bible. (Noah Webster) 

What Is Education?

• TRUTHThen you will know the truth and the truth

will set you free. (John 8:82)

• MORALITY—Do to others whatever you would like them to

do to you. (Matthew 7:12)

• AESTHETICSGod has made everything beautiful

in its own time.

Why the Bible?

• Viewed as a sacred text that has influenced all of Western culture

• A collection of books that contain great literature

• Translations of the Bible helping developing the English language

What is the Bible?

• A Greek word, ton biblion, “the scroll” or “the book”

• Byblos, an ancient city, the official supplier of paper products, synonymous with the the word “book” or “scroll” (e.g., Kleenex)

• The Bible or Biblia (the Greek), “the scrolls” or “the books”, a collection

of works by a variety of authors

Who wrote the Bible?

• The Bible includes legal texts, history, poetry, philosophy, music, personal correspondence, and prophecies

• The authors include shepherds, kings, farmers, priests, poets, scribes, prophets and fishermen

Who did the Bible come from?

• The Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament): the Pentateuch, History, the Prophets, Poetry and Wisdom Literature

• The Apocrypha (Hidden Books)• The New Testament: History, Letters,

Apocalypse

What’s in the Bible?

• Narratives – Jonah in the fish• Novellas (Short-story forms) – Joseph’s robes• A songbook – Psalm 23• Legal codes – Leviticus• National epics/historical narratives – King David• Visions/prophecies• The Gospels – the life and teaching of Jesus• Letters – Paul’s epistles (1 Cor. 13)