What is a pamphlet? Features of the genre

Today we will talk about the word "pamphlet". Its meaning will be described in detail later. We are talking about a variety of artistic and journalistic work. Usually it is directed against the existing political system or its individual parties.

Specificity

Pamphlet is a genre that is often opposed to a particular social group, party, government. Such works often expose certain representatives of society. The pamphlet has a similar meaning to fiction, and its author in many cases differs little from the writer. The first tries to show a separate human figure, and the second seeks to develop a character. Negative orientation, characterizing this genre, its orientation towards denial, exposure, ridicule, brings it together with satirical kinds of literature. Here there is controversy, as well as irony.

Reflection of reality

In order to fully understand what a pamphlet is, one should remember that he has in mind a specific person and certain facts. Fiction is excluded in it. The artistic manner of the author of this work is complicated by the features of satire, as well as by various kinds of hyperbolization and even irony. So, let's try again most fully and at the same time within the framework of one definition, answer the question what is a pamphlet. This is a kind of politically saturated, mainly publicistic literature, which is close in a number of signs to satire.

Pamphlet can also be found in fiction. In this case, we are talking about introducing a character's work into a fictional plot, which represents a portrait characteristic of a certain person, an accurate description of the behavior or appearance. The attitude of the pamphlet and literature is multifarious. It is determined by historical conditions. Thus, the pamphlet provides a relationship between fiction and journalism. Their mutual transitions occur in certain historical conditions.

History

If we talk about what a pamphlet is, it should be noted that this word arose in the XIV century. Initially, this was the name of an unbound brochure without a cover. As a genre, this phenomenon developed during the Reformation. The features inherent in the pamphlet - polemical orientation, topicality, tendentiousness - were formed in ancient times in speeches, diatribes and invectives. Let's talk about these phenomena a little more.

Diatribe - a genre of ancient literature, which was created by philosophers, Cynics in the III. BC. E. We are talking about a conversation on philosophical, mostly moral issues. It included an annihilating polemic that was fought with an imaginary opponent, and violent attacks of a personal nature. The genre of the diatribe later became the basis of the future Christian sermon.

The basis

Creativity Cynics, which denied the basic foundations and values of the community, had a pronounced satirical overtones. A kind of literature created a cynic called Menippus from Godara. The philosophical-satirical dialogues of this author are framed in a fantastic narrative. This approach allowed to ridicule and witty ridicule human weaknesses and philosophical schools. The works of Menippus have not survived to this day. However, imitations and references to these works are numerous. Menippean satire was created by writers Mark Terence Varro and Lucian.

A literary satire gave rise to a pamphlet-journalistic branch. In Rome, the accusatory principle was manifested in the invective-the depraving of the face. Literary forms of this phenomenon are diverse: polemical speeches and articles, epigrams. The political component in the invective has the character of the slander of a certain person. Such is the work of "Invective v. Mark Tullius Cicero" of the authorship of Sallust. This work tries to destroy the person mentioned there morally, as a family man, politician, corrupt defender, who conducts illegal activities in court.

Cicero responded no less insulting and harsh invective. This genre has become a common form of political struggle in the territory of Rome. Cicero released an invective against Clodius. She and similar creations also became the foundation for the appearance of the genre we described.

Now you know what a pamphlet is. We hope that this knowledge will be useful to you.