Literary Communication and Major Genres Defined

Features of Literary Language and Communication

Literary communication possesses several distinct characteristics:

1. Unidirectional Message Flow: The sender and receiver cannot exchange their functions.
2. Requirement for Literalness and Permanence: The text requires endurance and literalness, though the original message's context may be lost.
3. Full Semantics: The text utilizes rich semantics to facilitate multiple possible interpretations.
4. Connotative Lexicon: The language employs a connotative lexicon to encourage subjectivity.
5. Poetic Function: This is the primary feature of literary language. In the literary message, the receiver's attention is drawn equally to the meaning (signified) of the text and its form (signifier).

Achieving the Poetic Function

The poetic function is achieved through two main procedures:

1. Deviation from the Common Linguistic Standard: This involves selecting features that give the message effects of strangeness, endowing it with originality and the ability to surprise the recipient.
2. Intensification of Terms and Structures: Using language in ways that make the text interesting, attractive, and innovative.

Literary Genres: Classification and Definitions

The Epic Genre

The Epic genre brings together works that recount the deeds of a people or their heroes.

• Epic

  A long poem, often of collective creation, intended for military action song that tells the history of a people.

• Epic Poem

  A narrative in verse, suitable for singing, which exalts the exploits of national heroes.

• Chanson de Geste

  A medieval epic poem, intended for singing or recitation, which exalts the deeds of local heroes.

• Romance

  A short poem of oral transmission and collective authorship, typical of the Hispanic tradition, encompassed in the old or traditional ballads.

The Narrative Genre

Narrative works reflect a reality external to the literary creator.

• Novel

  An extensive narrative in prose, usually fictional, featuring several characters and analyzing their behaviors and attitudes.

• Tale (Short Story)

  A short story characterized by condensed action and imaginary subject matter.

The Lyric Genre

Lyric works develop a subjective reality, expressing the poet's feelings and reflections.

• Ode

  A poem written in a high tone that contains the reflection of the poet.

• Eclogue

  A poem that includes love affairs set within the framework of an idealized pastoral nature.

• Elegy

  A poem written to express sadness and grief, often over the death of a person.

Other representations of the Lyric genre include the madrigal and the epigram.

The Dramatic Genre (Drama)

Dramatic works are identified with the theater and involve groups of works that develop the clash of ideas through a representation for the spectator.

• Tragedy

  A play whose action is presided over by a destiny that leads the characters to a dismal and unfortunate outcome against which they cannot fight.

• Comedy

  A drama, usually fun, which almost always ends with a happy outcome, and whose main characteristic is comicity. It often treats traditional themes.

• Drama (Tragicomedy)

  A form that incorporates characteristics of both tragedy and comedy, both in its actions and in its ending.