Literature of the Global North and Global South

Global North include the United States, Canada, Western Europe, and developed parts of Asia, as well
as Australia and New Zealand, which are not actually located in the geographical South but share similar
economic and cultural characteristics as other northern countries.
The North mostly covers the West and the First World, along with much of the Second World.
The Global South is made up of Africa, Latin America, and developing Asia including the Middle East.
The South largely corresponds with the Third World Countries.

Literature of Global North

European Literature
European literature refers to the literature of Europe.
European literature includes literature in many languages; among the most important of the modern written
works are those in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Polish, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Czech and Russian
and works by the Scandinavians and Irish.
Important classical and medieval traditions are those in Latin, Ancient Greek, Old Norse, Medieval French and
the Italian Tuscan dialect of the renaissance.
In colloquial speech, European literature often is used as a synonym for Western literature.
European literature is a part of world literature.
Epics are part of the oral literature which, later, was written down. These are narrative in verse
full of warlike adventures.
Four major Epics in Europe
German- Nibelungenlied
France- Song of Roland
Spain- El Cid
Italy- Divine Comedy
History Of English Literature
The Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066 A.D.)
Anglo-Saxon is the term applied to the English-speaking inhabitants of Britain from around the middle of the
fifth century until the time of the Norman Conquest, when the Anglo-Saxon line of English kings came to an end.
Old English literature, or Anglo-Saxon literature, encompasses literature written in Old English in Anglo-Saxon
England, in the period after the settlement of the Saxons and other Germanic tribes in England after the
withdrawal of the Romans and "ending soon after the Norman Conquest" in 1066.
The Anglo-Saxon influenced English Literature when they brought with them a rich tradition of oral literature
steeped in their customs, pagan beliefs and rituals.
The lyric and epic poetry they wrote told of the hardships of survival and the importance of courage in
performing heroic deeds. It dignified the difficulties and dangers faced by the warriors before they succeeded in
their heroic feats.
Some significant literary work in this period:
1. Ecclesiastical History of the English People and Caedmon Hymn by Bede
2. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle by Alfred the Great
3. The Wonderer
4. Deors Lament
5. A Dream of the Rood
6. The Battle of Maldon
7. Beowulf (Lone Surviving Epic of English Literature)
Some significant literary works in this period came from ANONYMOUS WRITERS.

The Medieval Period (1066 A.D.-1485 A.D.)

Some Significant literary Works of this period were:
1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
2. Morte DArthur by Sir Thomas Malory
3. The Vision of the Piers Plowman by William Langland
4. The Owl and the Nightingale
5. Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
The Significant Literary Genres were:
1. Elegy
2. Religious Liturgy
3. Narrative Romance
 4. Lay or Lais
5. Arthurian Romance
6. Fabliau

Geoffrey Chaucer- Father of English Literature

-Outstanding in English Poet before William Shakespeare whose Canterbury Tales ranks as one of the greatest
poetic works in English.

English Renaissance or The Elizabethan Period (1485-1625)

The most splendid in the history of English literature. Literary works were characterized by immense vitality and
richness.
The flowering of poetry and the golden age of drama. The most noted poet of the period was William
Shakespeare.
Some significant literary works in this period were:
1. Faerie Queene, Shephers Calendar by Edmund Spenser
2. Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity by Richard Hooker
3. Book of Martyrs by John Foxe
4. Musophilus by Samuel Daniel
5. The Nymphs Replied to the Shepherd by Sir Walter Raleigh
6. William Shakespeare Works
Significant literary genre
1. Sonnet
2. Elizabethan Lyric
3. Elizabethan Drama
4. Historical Poems
5. Pastoral Romance

The 17th Century or the Puritan Period (1625-1700)

Significant literary works during this period
1. Areopaitica by John Milton
2. Devotions by John Done
3. Religio Medici by Thomas Brown
4. History of Henry VII by Francis Bacon
5. Works by Ben Johnson
6. The garden by Andrew Marvell
Significant literary genre:
1. Restoration Comedy and Tragedy
2. Metaphysical Poetry
3. False Pindaric or Irregular Ode
4. Light Prose

The 18th Century or the Period of Classism (1700-1800)

Dawning of the age of reason
The London become the the center of of the bustling city life.
Literary mastered have their crafts and have written with sophistication and finesse.
Prose writing become popular.
The periodical and novel gained popularity and public acceptance.
The periodical became the origin of what we call now as clarity and public acceptance.
Significant literary works during this period
1. The London Merchant by George Lillo
2. Conscious Lovers by Richard Steels
3. The Fair Penitent: The Tragedy of Jane Shore: The tragedy of Lady Grey by Nicholas Rowe
4. The Distressed Mother by Ambrose Philip
5. Cato by Joseph Addison
6. The West Indian by Richard Cumberland
7. The Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
8. The Rivals: School for Scandals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
 Significant literary genre:
Opera
Ballad Opera
Pantomime
Prose Tragedy

The Romantic Period (1800-1837)

The Golden age of the lyric poetry belongs to the youth.

A literature of vigor and courage, love and wisdom, despair and hope.
Romantic poets pointed to the wild, unfathomable beauties of nature, the elusive, supernatural vision of mystics
and the mysterious atmosphere of religion that had east such celestial light about the middle ages.
Significant literary genre:
Heroic Couplet
Historical Novel

The Victorian Period (1837-1900)

Significant literary works during this period
1. The Pickwick Papers; Oliver Twist: David Copperfield: A Tale of Two Cities: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
2. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
3. Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan
4. The Last Chronicle of Barset; Barchester Towers; The Warden by Anthony Trollope
5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bront
Significant literary genre:
Novels
Magazine Serial
Dramatic Dialogue

The 20th Century (1900 - 1999)

Literature of this periods exemplifies the improved crafts of masters. The novel has flourished and writers have
risen not only to popularity but to distinction as well.
The emerging values of the modern times are embodied in the works of authors who defy the conventions of the
old world.
Science and technology became the basis for advancement. While Orthodox beliefs are considered standard
criteria for excellence, the emerging needs for radical changes became the order of the day.
Significant literary genre:
Novel
Blank Verse

Literature of Global South

Afro-Asian Literature
Afro-Asian Literature is a term for writing; written by people from mixed African-Arab ethnicity, or African-Asian
ethnicity.
In modern times, part of world literature, Afro-Asian literature is a separate segment of writing of experiences in
African and Asia for further cultural understanding and world peace.
Afro-Asian Literature mirrors not only the customs and traditions of African and Asian countries but also their
philosophy of life which on the whole are deeply and predominantly contemplative and hauntingly sweet.
Afro-Asian Literature is the reflection of the storm and the stress of developing nations seeking a place under the
sun which every student must understand so he may know how this literature affects the history and culture of a
nation.
The background of Afro-Asian literature dates to the very beginnings of when the first mixed race individual
began writing.
An exact date is harder to come by given the wide topic this question asks to be answered. Like most literature
you can be assured that earlier written documents were based on stories passed by word of mouth.
Literature may have its roots from the pre-historic period.
 The hieroglyphs of Egypt, found around 3200 BC to about 400 AD for example, is a system of writing which used
symbols, have been used to record some things about what had transpired in history. However, these are not
considered literature.
Considered to be the earliest records of literature is the Egyptian Book of the Dead written down in a papyrus in
250 BC.
Many of the literary works are handed down by oral tradition. In Africa, the lack of literacy did not make it
possible to write literature down.
Histories, myths, legends, including stories, dramas, riddles, songs, proverbs and other literary works were
handed by mouth from generation to generation to entertain, educate and remind the people about their past,
heroic deeds of their people, ancestry and culture.

Genres
1. Poetry/Songs - about the history and culture of the Afro-Asian people were written and performed, and then
passed down.
o Today, Afro-Asians still express their creativity, and honour their culture, by crafting beautiful poems,
such as haikus, ballads, or sonnets.
o Freeform poems with specific structures or meters are also prevalent - these have a free-spirited, stream
of consciousness feeling...
2. Plays - Playwrights use dialogue and monologue to reinforce ideas, emotions and themes.
Many playwrights celebrate their own culture and ancestry by setting plays in the past, and referencing historical
events in their storylines.
Plays, when performed, will feature backdrops, costumes, and jargon that reflects the culture and unique spirit
of Afro-Asian people.
3. Prose has no particular meter - it flows naturally, and it is not poetry.
Prose can be found in essays, in novels, and in letters to other people. In many ways, prose is the purest
expression of human thought - in literature, prose is used to expose truth, to describe objects, places, and
people, and todraw a reader deeper into a story.

CHINA
THE FIVE CLASSICS
1. THE BOOK OF CHANGES
2. THE BOOK OF HISTORY
3. THE BOOK OF RITES
4. THE BOOK OF ODES
5. THE SPRING AND AUTUMN ANNALS

Confucius- perhaps the greatest philosopher of the world has known. One of the truly great men that China has
produced.
Li Po (701 761), or Li tai Po, was one of the leading Chinese poets of the eighth century. His writings deal with
the good things of life and with the pathos of human destiny. With a striking vividness they treat of love,
friendship, wine, nature, and simple village living.
Po Chu I (722 846) was a well-known Chinese poet who represented the classical tradition in Chinese
literature, politics and morality.

INDIAN LITERATURE
The first characteristic we notice about Indian literature is that it is based on piety, a deeply religious spirit.
Sanskrit- literature of India. The word sanskrit means cultivated or perfected.
Vedas the bible of the Indians.
Ramayana and Mahabharata are the most important epics of India.
Ramayana is about the reincarnation of the creator god Vishnu in the person of Rama, who is the hero of the
epic.
Mahabharata deals with the other reincarnation of Vishnu in the person of Krishna. It is considered as the
greatest epic of India.
The Indians believe in reincarnation.
The reincarnation of Vishnu are called Avatars, descending from the god.
INDIAN DRAMA
The first great name in Indian drama is Bhasa. (13 plays are attributed to him.)
Kalidasa the greatest writer of plays. He is the author of Shakuntala.
Shakuntala it is a story of a king who goes hunting in the woods and meets a beautiful maiden named
Shakuntala with whom he falls in love.
Panchatantra (Five headings) a book that said to contain the first fables ever written. Fables are stories of animals who
behave like human beings.
Rabindranath Tagore was a great Indian poet and dramatist. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1913 and
was knighted by the British government in 1915.

Japan
Also known as The Land of the Rising Sun.
The earliest writings from ancient Japan are:
1. The Records of Ancient Matters in Kojiko (A.D. 712)
2. The Chronicles of Japan or Nihongi (A.D. 720)

Japanese Literature
It is one of the major Oriental Literatures.
Katakana basic alphabet in Japan which consists 47 characters.
Earliest Japanese Literary works:
1. Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters)
2. Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan)
Three Types of Japanese Drama:
1. Noh play
2. Joruri or puppet play
3. Kabuki play

Japanese Poetry

Haiku
Shortest form of Japanese poetry but most popular. It has seventeen-syllable poem in three lines of five, seven,
and five syllables.
Tanka

A five-line poem. The first and third line lines have five syllables each and the others seven, making a total of
thirty-one syllables per poem.

Arabian literature
is the writing, of both prose and poetry, produced by writers in the Arabic Language.
The Arabic word used for literature is Adab", which is derived from a meaning of etiquette, and which implies
politeness, culture and enrichment.
Arabic literature emerged in the 5th century with only fragments of the written language appearing before then.
The Quran, widely regarded by Muslims as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language, would have the
greatest lasting effect on Arabic culture and its literature.
One Thousand and One Nights, also known as Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights Entertainment