Abstract
ABSTRACT In recent years, striking emphasis has been given to the teaching of English as a foreign language. Publication on modern methodology for language classes, new audio! ingual aids, and new teaching activities are numerous. But the question of `how to teach literature` is generally avoided while writers tend to go into long explanations of the meaning of literature. The student is told of literary terms and the meaning of words, and is finally asked to analyze the subject of the literary piece which is often too abstract a task for the non-native speaker. This thesis begins with the value and importance of literature in our life. The relation of literature with language and culture is also discussed. Characteristics of fiction is narrowed down to short stories which is the main concern of this thesis. Like many critics, it is my personal belief that short stories are a good medium to begin the study of literature, and to grasp the importance of the work, their elements and their relationships to each other are studied. The next part of this study supplies some suggestions for the teaching of short stories. This section does not claim to provide a ?m-very detailed methodology, but suggests some useful ideas that can always be improved and elaborated upon with the help of the enthusiasm and creativity of the literature teacher. In Chapter 8, a sample story- William Faulkner's a Rose for Emiiy--is analyzed to emphasize that the goal of reading is not analysis of parts, but the understanding of wholes. The last chapter of this thesis offers guidance for writing a good literary essay, which is a very vital skill that a student of literature has to master. ?iv-
