Introduction to Literature
Introduction
It should be made clear from the onset that there is no real consensus ore one all embracing definition of the term literature and that some of the definitions of literature given by scholars are largely according to their wealth of life experience within their locations.
1: Definition of Literature
It is very difficult to offer a precise Definition of literature, but we shall give a working definition of it in the line with what we shall be studying. Literature can be defined as:
- “A piece of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays and poems” (oxford advanced learner’s English Dictionary.)
- “ The body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age, or the body of writings on a particular subject (scientific, art , etc.)” (Merriam Webster’s dictionary and Thesaurus)
Looking at the previous dictionary definitions of literature, we may define literature generally as anybody of written works that is written and produced in any country, language or age for a specific purpose such as information, education, or entertainment to the reader, which can be fictional or nonfictional in nature. However, in literature as a subject our main concern is on the first definition above.
2: Importance of Literature
Literature is almost similar to art, what is true in painting is true in literature. ‘A novel is not an imitation or an exact copy of life as we live it; it is rather a selection of characters and events drawn from reading, observation, and experience, and woven into an entirely new story.’ (p.20, How to Study English Literature by T. Sharper Knowlson)
Ezra Pound says, "Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree." Literature helps us create an interest in life as we see it. It helps us experience life in all its colours and vastness. In our journey of exploring different literary texts, we meet different interesting characters that teach us many things; alleviate our sorrows; elevate our spirit at different levels. Humanity in all its shades is encompassed in literature: sorrows, happiness, wars, birth, death etc. Literature enriches personal experiences and adds wisdom to even ordinary events. Literary texts can even revolutionize our life by helping us grow through our literary journey and enabling us to see every day events in a new light.
Literature portrays a culture more elaborately than historical or cultural artifacts do because it deals directly with language and people. The author’s message is interpreted differently by different people. The decoding of the text varies according to use of different literary theories using a mythological, sociological, psychological, historical, or any other approach. Whatever critical standard we use for critical analysis of the literary texts, an artistic quality to the works always remains. Literature is never confined to a single culture or country. It speaks to us regardless of our race, culture or country.
3: Types of Literature
Generally literature is divided into two main kinds, namely Fictional and non fictional literature.
a. Fictional literature is imaginary composed of writing or work of art that is meant to provide information, education and entertainment to imagination rather than reality such as plays, poems, short stories, novels, etc.
b. Non Fictional literature is factual writing or written work that gives facts that can be proved as it provides real places, events, characters, times or reality rather than imaginary things. Examples of non fictional literature includes autobiographies, biographies, essays, diaries and journals, magazines, news papers, subject books such as in geography, history and civic education.
In our study of literature, we shall concentrate on fictional literature as exemplified above. Generally its main concern is with drama (plays), prose (stories) and poetry (poems).