Exploring the World of Literature: From Classics to Modern

A Journey Through Time and Space in Literature

Literature, the art of using language to create stories, poems, plays, and more, has accompanied humanity since its inception. From oral tales around campfires to sprawling novels, literature authentically reflects society, humanity, and the timeless issues of life. This exploration of the literary world will take you through literary movements, classic works, and vibrant contemporary voices.

Classical Literature: The Source of Creativity

Myths and Epics:

Oral traditions and epic poems like Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey laid the foundation for Western literature. We find in them timeless themes of war, love, and human destiny. In Vietnamese literature, we have oral stories about Son Tinh, Thuy Tinh, or the legends of national heroes.

Medieval Literature:

This period saw the emergence of classical literary genres such as Tang poetry, folk poetry, and chapter novels. Works like Nguyen Du’s The Tale of Kieu or Chinh phu ngam are testaments to the rich development of Vietnamese literature at that time. In world literature, we have The Canterbury Tales, a representative work of medieval English literature.

Modern and Postmodern Literature: Continuous Development

Realism:

Realism focuses on authentically reflecting life, with in-depth exploration of social issues and human psychology. Notable examples include Tolstoy’s War and Peace and Ngo Tat To’s Ba Phát-xít (Mrs. Fascist).

Modernism:

Modernism emphasizes creative freedom, breaking traditional frameworks. Works in this style often feature unique language, novel storytelling methods, and address controversial topics. Vo Cam (Apathy) by Nguyen Binh Phuong is a prime example.

Postmodern Literature:

Postmodern literature reflects the chaos and nonlinearity of modern society. These works often have complex structures, polysemic language, and address issues of personal identity and ideology.

Conclusion

Literature is an inexhaustible treasure trove, constantly changing and evolving. Exploring the world of literature not only helps us understand history, society, and humanity better, but also broadens our horizons, enhances our thinking ability, and deepens our appreciation of life.