INTRODUCTION

What is Literature?

-is a product of life and about life. A good piece of literature presents a slice of life; and makes the reader capture truth
and beauty. One needs to be sensitive and receptive enough to participate in the significant experiences as he reads. He
begins to think and compare, sees his own self, his own experiences and those of others; laughs at his own follies and
grimaces over miseries and unpleasant memories he doesn’t wish to recall as he unfolds the pages of a good literary piece.
Hence, literature does not only supply the mind with cognitive knowledge but most importantly it refines thoughts and
feelings.

-It is an art. A written record of man’s best thoughts, fine feelings and emotions. These best thoughts of the world,
knowledge and appreciation are embodied in literature, and are essential elements of culture.

-In its widest sense, literature may be regarded as including the aggregate body of printed matters in the world, e.g., the
accompanying printed brochures explaining the dosage and indications of any available generic drug sold over the counter
is also called literature; or printed handouts explaining the process and how-to-prepare foods for fowls and swines may
likewise be termed literature. ‘Aggregate,’ refers to a mixture or a result of combination with a sense of value. In its
restricted meaning, literature includes only those works that are polished and artistic in forms and thoughts. Artistic ,
means the work must express truth and beauty. Any work that distorts one’s idea towards things is not artistic, e.g., if after
reading a literary piece which one claims ‘great’, he starts doing atrocities , crimes, sowing violence, or becomes a rapist,
then this work is never artistic but sheer rubbish. Within the same context, if a book or treatise of leadership has the power
to influence leaders to become terroristic aggressors and virtual dictators, then it is not artistic.

-On the other hand, a piece of literature is indeed artistic in a real sense, if it elevates the spirit and effects positive
changes in a person; it enables his thoughts and moves him to do good things.

Classical works of literature are those which present ideas of a general and permanent interest in a highly artistic manner,
and their quality of greatness goes beyond time.

Literature is influenced by whatever affects the thoughts and feelings of the people from whatever race, epoch and
surrounding.

What are these marks of greatness in literature as a classic work of art?

-The quality of greatness in literature is determined by its effect which it produces on human life. If a book has power to
awaken in you a lively sense of pleasure or a profound emotion of sympathy, if it quickens your love for beauty, truth or
goodness; if it moves you to generous thoughts or noble action, then that book is for you and for the time a great book.