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
- Fijian literature
- Tongan literature
- Papua New Guinean literature
- Solomon Islands literature
- Cook Islands literature
- Australian literature
- Samoan literature
- New Zealand literature
- New Caledonian literature
- Vanuatuan literature
- Kiribati literature
- Marshall Islands literature
- Nauran literature
- Palauan literature
- Tuvaluan literature
- French Polynesian literature
- Guam literature
- Pitcairn Islands literature
- Northern Marianan Islands literature
- Nivean Literature
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
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.