All text genres are divided into two categories: verse and prose.
Basis: the external characteristics of the text are the factors of language form.
This classification is too general, and it does not involve issues such as subject matter and conception, so it is difficult to distinguish literary texts from non-literary texts. It's abandoned now.
Second, the western "dichotomy"
1. Represented by "Dichotomy" in Aristotle's Poetics, he distinguished epic from drama by imitating reality. Because epic imitates reality through language, unlike drama, it is considered as a literary type in a strict sense. As for the language expression of epic, it can be verse or blank prose.
Similarly, the dichotomy, represented by Aristotle, pays more attention to the internal characteristics of the text, such as media means.
Step 2 split
The dichotomy represented by Aristotle made no mention of lyric poetry. When the status of lyric poetry in literature was promoted, dichotomy was replaced by dichotomy.
3. Trigonometry is a method to divide all kinds of literature into narrative, lyric and drama according to the choice of theme, conception and emotional experience of literary works and the expression of shaping images.
Three.
Narrative literature takes events, characters and environmental scenery in the objective world and the virtual world as the theme, takes imitation and fiction as the conception, and takes concrete and vivid narration as the main artistic expression, thus reflecting and expressing the aesthetic grasp of social life by the creative subject. Narration is the basic aesthetic feature of narrative literature. Narrative literature includes novels, epics, narrative poems, story poems, historical biography literature, reportage and so on.
Lyric literature is a literary work with the subjective feelings of the lyric hero as the center, inner feelings and experiences as the way of conception, and direct expression as the main artistic expression, thus showing the creative subject's perception and appreciation of nature, society and life. Lyricity is a prominent aesthetic feature of lyric literature. Lyric literature mainly includes lyric poetry, lyric prose and prose poetry.
Drama literature is a kind of literary work with the theme of contradictions and conflicts in life, the way of simulating and reproducing virtual reality, and the main artistic expression means of characters' own behaviors and lines, thus reflecting the aesthetic grasp of social life by the creative subject.
Four. Quadratic method
1, China's "quartering method" divides literary texts into four categories: poetry, novel, prose and drama literature. Some add film and television literature on this basis.
China's quartering method is based on the external form of literary texts, taking into account the characteristics of theme selection and image-building, and dividing literary genres according to the linguistic characteristics and system length of texts.
2. The four-point method of Canadian poet Frye.
He said: "The central principle of genre is quite simple, and the basis of the differences between Chinese and English in literature seems to be the principle of expression. Words can be performed or spoken in front of the audience; You can also sing it or write it for readers. "
((Canada) Northrop? Frye's Critical Analysis, translated by Chen Hui, Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House, 1998, p. 308)
"Poetry performed in front of an audience is drama; Narrative poems are recited in front of the audience; Singing or chanting with your back to the audience is a lyric poem; The novel should be read quietly. " ([France] David? The Poetics of Fontaine-A General Theory of Literary Forms, translated by Chen Jing, Tianjin People's Publishing House, 2003, p. 126).
Frye's four-point method is different from the popular four-point method in China in demonstration basis and classification results.
Traditional poetry is a rhythmic literary work. It expresses some strong feelings through the imagination and lyricism of poetry. Poetry is the oldest literary form, and China is one of the most developed countries in the world. From China's earliest poetry collection "The Book of Songs" to the earliest lyric poem "Li Sao". Yuefu in Han Dynasty, metrical poems, ci poems, Yuanqu poems in Tang and Song Dynasties, and new poems since the May 4th Movement. Folk songs of past dynasties. It constitutes the unparalleled great tradition of China's poetry. In contrast, western narrative poetry developed late and combined with drama, and made great achievements. For example, Homer's epic, Dante's Divine Comedy and Shakespeare's plays.
Prose is a literary form without strict rhythm and space restrictions. As opposed to verse. China's prose is developed from the prose of pre-Qin philosophers, and there are famous prose works representing famous writers. Among them, historical prose, prose, recitation and other applied styles have had a far-reaching impact on later generations. China has been the most developed country in prose in the world since ancient times.
Drama is another ancient literary form. Mainly through the dialogue between different roles to express the author's thoughts and feelings. Drama can be used for stage performance and reading.
Novel is a comprehensive literary form with virtual world as its content. Traditionally, prose is the mainstay. Zhuangzi: Decorating novels as a county magistrate. China's novels in the modern sense began with fables in pre-Qin prose, matured in the notes of the late Han Dynasty and the Six Dynasties, and then spread to novels represented by the four wonderful books and short stories represented by Strange Tales from a Lonely Studio in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Western novels are called novels and prose epics. As a later literary form, novels are associated with myths and legends. Because of its huge capacity, it profoundly and comprehensively reflects the reality and people's thoughts, and has become one of the mainstream literary forms since modern times.