WHAT IS

LITERATURE
AND WHY DO
WE STUDY IT?
JAYANTI – USD’21

ADMINISTRATION AND RESEARCH

 What is Literature?
❑ In general term, it is used to describe material that is either written or
spoken.
❑ Within the liberal arts, it concerns itself with the everyday existence of
humanity.
❑ It may explore cultures and traditions and introduce us to new worlds.
❑ It employs the creative imagination in its content and by its use of
language.
❑ It uses language to present human experience by appealing to senses,
emotions, and intellect.
❑ It includes works of poetry, drama, prose fiction and prose non-fiction.
Why do we study Literature?
We do this by analyzing
We may discover meaning
and interpreting what
through the experiences
the author says and how
presented in the text.
he/she says it.

We understand the We see, hear, and feel

universal through the characters in action, thus
specific everyday existence recreating experience and
of humanity. building empathy.
What makes
Literature unique?
Where history records

01
human existence and
philosophy theorises on it,
literature reflects humanity
through an artistic prism or
lens (artistic selection).
03
The playwright, poet, or film
maker selects that which is most
important in order to ask “big
questions” :

02 A worldview or set of values -

is implicit in every piece of
literary work.
-
Where have we come from?
Where are we going?
- What is the meaning of life?
What makes Literature unique?

UNIVERSAL PARTICULAR

ABSTRACT Philosophy Physical & Social Science

CONCRETE Literature History

The table show how literature relates universal themes though specific
experience, as well as its relationship to other types of texts.
Why is Literature art?

Its relationship to art In literature, beauty

is as a result of its and form is just as
inistence on verbal important as truth and
form and order. content.

Works of art contain

patterns, themes,
balance, contrast, The art and beauty
intriacy, and helps the truth to
complexity to name resonate with us.
but a few.
A working
definition for
Literature
Literature may be considered
the written presentation of an
artistic interpretation of human
experience.
"It is in literature that the concrete
outlook of humanity receives its
expression."
— Alfred North Whitehead

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