1. Factual Information about Literature:
* Historical context: This includes information about the author's life, the time period the work was written in, and the social, political, and cultural conditions of the time. This helps us understand the text in its context and provides insight into the author's motivations.
* Literary elements and techniques: These are the building blocks of literature. Examples include:
* Plot: The sequence of events in a story.
* Character: The individuals within a story, including their personalities, motivations, and relationships.
* Setting: The time and place in which the story takes place.
* Theme: The central idea or message of the work.
* Symbolism: Objects or actions that represent something beyond their literal meaning.
* Figurative language: The use of language in a non-literal way, such as metaphors, similes, and personification.
* Genre: This refers to the category of literature a work belongs to, such as fiction, poetry, drama, or non-fiction. Each genre has its own conventions and characteristics.
* Literary movements: These are periods of time when a group of authors share common ideas and stylistic tendencies. Examples include Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism.
2. Facts Depicted in Literature:
* Real-life events: Sometimes, literature can be based on actual historical events or individuals. While these might not be *literally* factual, they are often inspired by and reflect real occurrences.
* Scientific or cultural facts: A work might include factual information about science, technology, or other aspects of culture.
Important Considerations:
* Fiction vs. Nonfiction: While non-fiction aims to be factually accurate, fiction often uses factual information in a creative way to tell a story.
* Interpretation: The meaning of a literary work can be open to interpretation, and different readers may have different understandings of the "facts" presented.
* Authorial intent: It's important to remember that the author's intention in using certain "facts" might not always be straightforward, and there might be multiple layers of meaning at play.
Ultimately, "literary facts" can refer to both the factual elements within a work and the factual information about the work itself. Understanding these different types of facts is crucial for interpreting and appreciating literature.