Literary canon

Definition

A literary canon refers to a collection of works that are considered the most important and influential in a particular culture or period. These works are often recognized for their artistic merit, historical significance, or cultural impact and can shape the way literature is taught and understood. The canon serves as a benchmark for quality and relevance, reflecting the values and ideologies of the society that upholds it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The literary canon often includes works that have been historically significant in shaping cultural identity and values.
2. Canons can vary significantly across different cultures and time periods, reflecting differing tastes, norms, and historical contexts.
3. Oral traditions have played a crucial role in the formation of the literary canon by providing foundational stories and themes that later written literature draws upon.
4. Literary canons are not static; they evolve over time as new voices emerge and societal values shift, leading to ongoing debates about inclusion and exclusion.
5. In many cultures, marginalized voices have historically been excluded from the canon, prompting contemporary discussions about diversity and representation in literature.

Review Questions

• How do oral traditions influence the creation and evolution of a literary canon?
  • Oral traditions significantly impact the literary canon by providing foundational stories and themes that resonate through written literature. They serve as a cultural repository of knowledge, morality, and identity, enriching the narratives found in later texts. As these oral narratives are transcribed and incorporated into the written tradition, they help shape the criteria for what is deemed worthy of inclusion in the canon.
• Discuss how the process of canon formation can reflect societal values and historical context.
  • Canon formation is deeply intertwined with societal values and historical context because the works chosen for inclusion often mirror what a culture prioritizes at a given time. For instance, during certain historical periods, works by dominant groups may be favored while those from marginalized communities are overlooked. As societal values shift towards inclusivity or reevaluation of past narratives, this can lead to changes in what is considered canonical, highlighting ongoing debates around representation in literature.
• Evaluate the implications of excluding marginalized voices from the literary canon on cultural memory and representation.
  • Excluding marginalized voices from the literary canon has significant implications for cultural memory and representation. It perpetuates a narrow understanding of history and literature, denying diverse experiences and perspectives that are essential to fully grasping human experience. This exclusion not only affects contemporary readers' understanding of their own identities but also diminishes the richness of cultural memory by sidelining important narratives that challenge dominant ideologies. As discussions around inclusivity continue to grow, reevaluating who gets included in the canon becomes crucial for fostering a more comprehensive cultural landscape.

Related terms

Oral Tradition: The practice of passing stories, poems, and cultural knowledge by word of mouth from generation to generation, often forming the basis of a culture's literary heritage.

Canon Formation: The process through which certain texts are selected and designated as part of the literary canon, influenced by factors such as historical context, critical reception, and cultural significance.

Cultural Memory: The ways in which groups remember and commemorate their past, often influencing which literary works are included in the canon based on shared values and collective experiences.