APPROACHES TO LITERATURE

MODEL TO BE USED FOR THE STUDY OF APPROACHES TO LITERATURE : Jewel in the

Palace
1. FORMALISTIC OR LITERARY APPROACH

The selection is read and viewed intrinsically, of for itself: independent of author, age or any
other extrinsic factor. The study of the selection is more or less based on the so-called literary
elements wich more or less boil down to the literal level (subject matter), the affective value
(emotion, mood, atmosphere, tone, attitudes, empathy), the ideational value (themes, vision,
universal truths, character), the technical values (plot, structure, setting, language, point of
view, imagery, figures of speech, etc.) and total effect (the interrelation of the foregoing
elements and communication.)
Using the Formalistic or Literary Approach, the following questions about Jewel in the
Palalce can be raised:
1. What does the Royal Kitchen symbolize? (technical value)
2. What is the theme of Jewel in the Palace (ideational value)
3. What universal concept about food is promoted in Jewel in the Palace? (ideational
value) 4. How did the death of Janggeum's mother determine the "culinary fate" of Janggeum?
(affective value)
5. In what ways, can have as a viewer or observer of the events in Janggeum been
affected? (affective value)

2. MORAL OR HUMANISTIC APPROACH
This approach fundamentally believes in the nature of man as being central to literature. This
approach is close to the "morality of literature", to questions of ethical goodness or badness.
Using the Moral or Humanistic Approach , the following questions about Jewel in the Palace
can be raised :
1. How important is the preservation of the secret of Janggeum'S true identity - that is, she is a
descendant of the former Royal Kitchen's Cook- to her retention as one of the Royal Kitchen's
workforce?
2. The contest that should have determined who should have been the Royal Kitchen's Head
Cook was not personally participated in by Lady Han? Why did she request the Mother Queen
to have another round of the cooking contest with her one and only rival - Lady Choi?
3. Do you agree that the Royal Kitchen Cook should be married to her profession and not to the
man of her choice?
3. HISTORICAL APPROACH
This approach sees literature as both a reflection and a product of the times and circumstances
in which it was writtten. It operates on the premise that the history of a nation has telling effects
on its literature and that a piece can be better understood and appreciated if one knows the
times surrounding its creation.
Using the Historical Approach, the following questions about Jewel in the Palace can be raised :
1. Enumerate some "manners and practices" that are depicted in the Korean telenovela during
that regime/dispensation?
2. How did the concept of "culinary art" evolve in this TV series?
3. How important was being part of then of the Royal Kitchen to one's family honor and
reputation?
4. The "sacred book"(which contained the kitchen's trade secrets) was supposed to be handed
down to the next-in-line in the Royal Kitchen . In your opinion, how can such practice enrich the
history of culinary art?
4. SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH
This can be considered as an extension of the historical approach. It considers literature as
principally the expression of man within a given social situation. It stresses social relevance,
social commitment, contemporaniety, and deems communication with the reader important.
Using the Sociological Approach, the following questions about Jewel in the Palace can be
raised :
1. How does "nepotism" (or kamag-anak system) affect succession in the Royal Kitchen?
2. Do you agree that the Royal Kitchen Cook should emanate from the nobility alone despite
one's high qualifications?
3. Why was direct eye contact not allowed when one speaking to the Royal Highness?

5. CULTURAL APPROACH
This approach considers literature as of the principal manifestations and vehicles of a nation's
culture and tradition.
Using the Cultural Approach, the following questions about Jewel in the Palace can be
raised :
1. Do you see any similarities between the Philippine and Korean cultures?
2. Do you see any dissimilarities between the Philippine and Korean cultures?
3. Why do you think giving food as a gift among Koreans in the Jewel in the Palace consider
very acceptable?
6. PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH
This approach considers literature as the expresson of personality, of inner drives, of neurosis.
It includes the psychology of the author, the characters, and even the psychology of creation.
Using the Psychological Approach, the following questions about Jewel in the Palace can be
raised :
1. Discuss Lady Han as being a quiet or unassertive Royal Kitchen cook.
2. Discuss Lady Choi as being a crafty and aggressive Royal Kitchen cook.
3. What do you think of people who cannot accet their defeat as in the case of Lady Choi being
infuriated by the appointment of Lady Han as the Head Cook in the Royal Kitchen?
7. IMPRESSIONISTIC APPROACH
This approach seeks to see how the "literary piece" has communicated.
Using the Impressionistic Approach, the following questions about Jewel in the Palace can be
raised :
1. How do you think the idea of "best rice" cooked can be used as a measure of one's culinary
superiority>
2. If the celebration/formal ceremony of your appointment to a higher office woould be boycotted
by your supposed-to-be successors, would you still maintain your post? would you concede?
would you treat them with "eye for an eye"?