Department of English conducted a Guest Lecture on “Literary Forms & Genres .” Dr.J.John Sekar, Head & Associate Professor, Dept. of English, American College, Madurai was the resource person. Ms.Shruthi Varshini of I BA English introduced the resource person and welcomed him.
He started with an explanation of the etymology of the word ‘Genre’. Dr.Sekar created a awareness of different forms of English used in various parts of the world. He quoted that ‘The Highest form of literature is used in Writing’. The necessary to know various languages were informed with a saying ‘Multi-lingual person is Multi-competant’.
Dr.John clearly stated two ways of studying English Literature : One is a systematic study as a specialized subject for interrogation and the Second is an unsystematic study as a supporting subject for appreciation. He explained that it is easy to distinguish what is literature and what is not a literature by considering how it appears and what it deals with. The four common literary forms found in all literature are Poetry, Drama, Prose and Fiction.
Further, he explained Lyrical poetry including ode, sonnet, elegy idyll and Narrative poetry such as epic and ballad. He elaborated the types of Drama- tragedy and comedy, Prose – Literal and Literary Prose and Fiction- Realistic, Romantic, Regional and Science fiction with examples.
/He concluded the session by telling the importance of analysing a genre with a view of not what had happened but with a view of why it happened.