What is Literature and How Literature Shaped Me?

 Hello viewers 👋 

I am Kavita Chauhan student in MA sem- 4 in department of English MKBU Bhavnagar university.

What is Literature and How Literature Shaped Me?

This blog is part of a task assigned by Prof. Dilip Barad. In it, I will share my thoughts on the question "What is literature?", explain how literature has influenced and shaped me, and also describe my metaphor for literature.

Introduction:

Literature is more than just a collection of written works; it is an integral force that shapes our understanding of the world. Over time, it has evolved from a means of storytelling to a profound instrument for intellectual exploration, critical analysis, and social critique. As a student of literature, my perception of what literature is and what it can do has undergone a significant transformation. What once seemed like a series of texts to be read and analyzed has become a dynamic field that allows for deeper engagement with history, culture, identity, and power. In this blog, I will delve into the nature of literature and explore how it has not only influenced my intellectual growth but also shaped my worldview.

Through my academic journey, literature has proven to be an indispensable bridge—a conduit connecting disparate ideas, eras, and cultures. This metaphor encapsulates the way literature transcends boundaries, providing a platform for understanding diverse human experiences. The following reflection will unpack how literature has profoundly impacted me, reinforcing my belief that it is a bridge that not only connects past and present but also offers new pathways for understanding the complexities of the world.

What is Literature?

When I first encountered the question, "What is literature?", I believed that literature was simply a reflection of life, a mirror through which we could see our own experiences. However, my understanding has expanded considerably since then, thanks to the guidance of critical theorists and a deeper engagement with the texts I studied.

Plato initially opposed poetry, calling it deceptive and harmful. Yet, it was Aristotle who gave us the first real glimpse of literature's power when he defined tragedy as a way of purging emotions like pity and fear. Over time, other thinkers such as Dryden, Wordsworth, and Coleridge provided their own insights, emphasizing the emotional and imaginative aspects of literature. Wordsworth’s "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" and Coleridge’s idea of "secondary imagination" resonated with me as I delved into poetry during my BA studies.

However, as I ventured deeper into literary theory, particularly postmodern and deconstructionist ideas, I began to see literature in a new light. I realized that literature is not simply a mirror of life but a powerful force that shapes and reflects the social, political, and cultural climates in which it is produced. As theorists like Terry Eagleton and Karl Marx argued, literature is inherently political and ideological. It is not just a collection of stories but a medium that holds up a mirror to the complexities of human existence, often exposing uncomfortable truths about society.

Literature, as I now understand it, is multidisciplinary. It transcends genres and forms, from traditional novels and plays to films, advertisements, and even social media posts. It is a reflection of the times in which it is created and often serves as a means of critiquing those very times. Writers use their craft to expose the flaws and injustices of society, from the oppressive structures of caste in India to the inequalities of class and race in the West.

This brings me to another key insight I gained during my studies—literature is a means of self-reflection. Through the study of cultural theory, particularly Raymond Williams' work on culture and power, I began to see how literature serves as a way to navigate and understand both individual and collective identities. In this sense, literature is not just a passive reflection of life; it is an active participant in shaping it.

How Literature Shaped Me:

My journey with literature hasn’t been a simple or linear one. Like many students, I started with little exposure to literature beyond what was taught in school. But when I began my BA, I discovered a whole new world. Literature became more than just something to read for academic purposes—it turned into a tool for both personal reflection and understanding the world around me.

During my BA, I explored a variety of literary forms, from Gujarati texts to English literature, and this opened my eyes to different perspectives. I began to realize that literature is not just for entertainment, but also a mirror that reflects the complexities of life. One book that had a huge impact on me was The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. When I read it, I was introduced to the interconnected issues of caste, class, and identity. It challenged my earlier, simpler views of society and history, making me realize how deeply these issues shape our lives.

But the real change in my understanding came when I moved to my MA studies. Literature began to feel like more than just a personal experience for me. It became a way to critically analyze the world and question the systems around me. With the help of literary theories like feminism, postcolonialism, and Marxism, I started to look at power structures in society. I realized that literature doesn’t just reflect these structures—it has the power to challenge them and open up new ways of thinking.

A major turning point for me was engaging with literary theory. Before my MA, I thought of literature in a simple way. But after studying different theories—like Derrida’s deconstruction or Althusser’s idea of interpellation—I understood that literature is much more complex. I realized that meaning isn’t fixed and that literature has the power to question dominant beliefs and offer new perspectives.

For example, when I studied feminist literature, my understanding of gender began to change. I started questioning traditional gender roles and how they are portrayed in literature. Works like Wide Sargasso Sea and The Home and the World helped me understand the complexities of women’s experiences in patriarchal societies.

Moreover, literature has deepened my understanding of global issues like colonialism, capitalism, and environmental destruction. Through novels, plays, and films, I’ve been able to see how these issues impact individuals and societies. Literature has expanded my worldview, encouraging me to think critically about the challenges facing our world today.

My Metaphor for Literature: 

Literature as a Bridge

Throughout my journey with literature, I've often thought about what it truly means to me. After reflecting on it, I realized that for me, literature is like a bridge—a bridge that connects me to different cultures, historical moments, and personal experiences. It links me to people from the past and present, from distant lands and unfamiliar backgrounds, and even to parts of myself I hadn’t fully explored. Literature helps me travel across boundaries, expanding my understanding of the world.

One of the most powerful aspects of literature is its ability to connect us to the past. Through historical fiction, biographies, and even poems, literature brings us into different times and places, helping us understand the context of those stories. For instance, Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand introduced me to the struggles of the Dalit community in pre-independence India. This wasn’t just a book to me—it was a window into a world I had never known. It made me reflect on the historical realities that shaped the society we live in today.

In addition to the past, literature also serves as a bridge between different cultures. Growing up, I never fully understood the immigrant experience until I read books like The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. Through the protagonist, Gogol, I saw the complexities of identity and the challenges of living between two cultures. This made me reflect on my own cultural identity and how culture shapes who we are. Similarly, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie helped me see the struggles of race and belonging in a globalized world. These books taught me the value of cultural empathy and made me realize that, despite our differences, we share many common experiences.

Literature also allows me to understand different perspectives and open my mind to new ways of thinking. Through books, I can immerse myself in lives and situations far beyond my own. For example, Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys gave me a glimpse into the colonial past and how it affected identity and culture. These works show the complexities of history and how it continues to shape our present. They helped me understand not just the world around me but also the forces that have influenced it.

Finally, literature serves as a bridge to self-discovery. Each time I pick up a new book, I feel like I am embarking on a journey of personal growth. Whether it’s a novel, a poem, or a play, literature challenges me to confront my beliefs and assumptions. Books like The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot and Macbeth by Shakespeare have made me reflect on my own fears, ambitions, and moral dilemmas. Literature has taught me to think critically about who I am and what I stand for, allowing me to explore the depths of my own character.