Eng 073 World Literature

Meaning and Importance of Literature

Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived from the Latin
litteratura meaning "writing formed with letters," literature most commonly refers to works of the
creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, journalism, and in some instances,
song.
Literature represents the culture and tradition of a language or a people.
Literature preserves the ideals of a people; and ideals--love, faith, duty, friendship, freedom,
reverence--are the part of human life most worthy of preservation.
All our arts, our sciences, even our inventions are founded squarely upon ideals; for under every
invention is still the dream of Beowulf, that man may overcome the forces of nature; and the
foundation of all our sciences and discoveries is the immortal dream that men "shall be as gods,
knowing good and evil."
Literature is more than just a historical or cultural artifact, but can serve as an introduction to a new
world of experience.
Works of literature, at their best, provide a kind of blueprint of human civilization. From the writings of
ancient civilizations like Egypt, and China, to Greek philosophy and poetry; from the epics of Homer to
the plays of Shakespeare, from Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte to Maya Angelou, works of literature
give insight and context to all the world's societies.
Literature is important to us because it speaks to us, it is universal, and it affects us on a deeply
personal level. Even when it is ugly, literature is beautiful.