Literature

The broad definition of literature appears to be vague and amorphous in that it includes works
that are not literature per se, like works in fields of Education, Biology, History and a host of
others, because they are written. However, they cannot qualify as real literature.

The narrow definition delineates literature from its general purview to what can be called
literature as a subject of study. For you to really know what literature is, some more definitions
will be given to you. This will be followed by the evaluation of each of the definitions to see
which one can be said or taken to be most appropriate in discussing literature.

Moody (1987) writes that literature springs from our inborn love of telling a story, of arranging
words in pleasing patterns, of expressing in words some special aspects of our human
experience.

Boulton (1980) defines literature from a functional perspective as the imaginative work that gives
us R’s: recreation, recognition, revelation and redemption.

Rees (1973), after describing what he regarded as literature, summed up that literature is a
permanent expression in words of some thoughts or feelings in ideas about life and the world.

All the above definitions describe literature from different perspectives. Still, there are certain
things that are common to them. They all recognise the fact that:

i. literature is imaginative

ii. literature expresses thoughts and feelings

iii. literature deals with life experiences

Another introductory note.

Etymologically, the term Literature comes from a Latin word “Litteraturae ” which means writings.
In general form Literature is applied to all fields including Philosophical writings, historical
writings as well as other writings. But in Literature, it is used to designate fictional and
imaginative writings such as Poetry, Fiction and Drama.

Therefore, Literature is a work of art expressed in words using a Language creative express
human realities. OR It is the term which implies creative Language and imitated social realities
which can be transmitted in the form of writing or speech and reflects human experiences.

It is distinct from other works of art such as painting, sculpture, drawing and so on. However,
both works of art express the culture of a specific society from which they owe their essence.

IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE IN LITERATURE

Ø Language is very important in literature as the words are used creatively as raw materials in
structuring literary works

Ø Language is necessarily used as a medium of communication for the intended goals or

messages

Ø Language distinguishes literature from other works of art as well as ordinary works