Oceanian literature
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Oceanian (Australia, Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia) literature developed in isolation from the rest of the world and in a unique geographic environment. This allowed the development of a unique literature to thrive. Oceanian literature was heavily influenced by religion and ritual. This can be seen by the large amount of religious symbolism featured in it.
Another major thing that influenced Oceanian society was its intricate oral tradition. For a long time, most Oceanian literature was not written down. As a result, stock formulas and rhyming were used in many works (these traits made it easier to memorize). Gods, creation myths, and spirits are also prominent in Oceanian literature, showcasing again the influence oral tradition had on the literature of Oceania.
Modern Oceanian literature is mainly written in the English language.
List of Countries[]
Prominent writers[]
Australia[]
- Thea Astley
- Geoffrey Blainey
- Manning Clark
- Marcus Clarke
- Miles Franklin
- Peggy Frew
- Helen Garner
- Germaine Greer
- Robert Hughes
- Barry Humphries
- Clive James
- Elizabeth Jolley
- Gail Jones
- Jill Ker Conway
- Thomas Keneally
- Henry Lawson
- Nam Le
- David Malouf
- Colleen McCullough
- Andrew McGahan
- Alex Miller
- Banjo Paterson
- Christina Stead
- Morris West
- Patrick White
- David Williamson
- Tim Winton
- Markus Zusak
Fiji[]
Kiribati[]
Marshall Islands[]
Federated States of Micronesia[]
Nauru[]
New Zealand[]
Palau[]
Papua New Guinea[]
Samoa[]
- Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Tufuga Efi
- Sia Figiel
- Dan Taulapapa McMullin
- Misa Telefoni Retzlaff
- Albert Wendt
- Lani Wendt Young
- Samoan literature
Solomon Islands[]
Tonga[]
Tuvalu[]
Vanuatu[]
- Grace Molisa
See also[]
- Culture of Oceania
- African literature
- Asian literature
- European literature
- Latin American literature
References[]
- 'Oceanic literature', Guiart, Jean in Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved on December 14, 2007.
- Goetzfridt, Nicholas J. (1995). Indigenous Literature of Oceania: A Survey of Criticism and Interpretation, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
- Oceanian literature
- Literature by country stubs