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CONCEPTS OF LITERATURE
Various Definitions of Literature
- Literature
is the work of art which use language creatively to express human realities
(the universe is the source of these realities to be expressed)
- Literature
is the use of language in a peculiar way (different from normal language use)
in order to reflect social realities through artistic use of language (Gibbon)
- Literature is defined as books and other written works, especially those considered to have creative or artistic merit or lasting value.
- Literature refers to writing considered to be an art form or
any single writing deemed to have artistic or intellectual value, and sometimes
deploys language in ways that differ from ordinary usage.
- Literature is a term used to
describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived from the Latin word literature meaning "writing
formed with letters," literature most commonly refers to works of the
creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song.
Importance of Literature in the Society
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Expanding horizons
First and foremost,
literature opens our eyes and makes us see more than just what the front door
shows. It helps us realize the wide world outside, surrounding us. With this,
we begin to learn, ask questions, and build our intuitions and instincts. We
expand our minds.
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Building critical thinking skills
Many of us learn what
critical thinking is in our language arts a class. When we read, we learn to
look between the lines. We are taught to find symbols, make connections, find
themes,and learn about characters. Reading expands these skills, and we begin
to look at a sentence with a larger sense of detail and depth and realize the
importance of hidden meanings so that we may come to a conclusion.
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A leap into the past
History and literature
are entwined with each other. History is not just about power struggles, wars,
names, and dates. It is about people who are products of their time, with their
own lives. Today the world is nothing like it was in the 15th century; people
have changed largely. Without literature, we would not know about our past, our
families, the people who came before and walked on the same ground as us.
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Appreciation for other cultures and beliefs
Reading about history,
anthropology, or religious studies provides a method of learning about cultures
and beliefs other than our own. It allows you to understand and experience
these other systems of living and other worlds. We get a view of the inside
looking out, a personal view and insight into the minds and reasoning of
someone else. We can learn, understand, and appreciate it.
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Better writing skills
When you open a book,
when your eyes read the words and you take in its contents, do you ask
yourself: How did this person imagine and write this? Well, many of those
authors, poets, or playwrights used literature to expand their writing.
- Addressing humanity
All literature, whether it be poems, essays, novels, or short stories,
helps us address human nature and conditions which affect all people. These may
be the need for growth, doubts and fears of success and failure, the need for
friends and family, the goodness of compassion and empathy, trust, or the
realization of imperfection. We learn that imperfection is not always bad and
that normal can be boring. We learn that life must be lived to the fullest. We
need literature in order to connect with our own humanity.
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