Why do we study literature?

Why do we study literature?

Introduction:

     

        All contains various answers of this question. People have their own benefits and reasons to study literature, because all do not have the same definition of literature. Even the great authors have their own way of thinking and defining the literature. For example, as per Stevenson literature is,

“The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean." 

On the other hand Ezra Pound defines literature as,

“Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree.”

Simply literature means,

“Anything that is written: timetable, catalogue, text books, travel brochures and so on...”

         

          It is the definition of literature in broader sense but all contains their personal perception and views about literature.

Literature helps us in four ways,

1) It saves your time

2) It is a cure for loneliness

3) It tells history

4) It prepares you for failure

      If we generalize, we can say that we study literature to,

1) To pass examination:

        This can be the most basic reason to study literature. Most of students only study for passing the examination and getting the particular degree rather than getting good knowledge. Literature provides good amount of language and especially the language which is prosperous with words and emotions. It is good for students to study literature with concentration and interest. English literature is not only exam oriented subject but it requires student’s focus and interest to understand the literature.

2) To enjoy ourselves:

    

       Literature gives aesthetic pleasure and entertainment. When we read any novel or drama, it takes us into another world, though it is not reality, we can get enjoyment of traveling into the world of writer’s imagination. Literature presents new ideas and thoughts which provides new way to readers. One can enjoy literature through reading it, it affects in both ways, and it wounds us and also heals us. We also get enjoyment through the happiness and sadness of characters. When we read or watch the play, we can get the catharsis through various literature which give us enjoyment and pleasure.

3) To appeared culture:

       

       Only well educated people are able to read literature. When they read it, they get knowledge about their culture. It is noticed that educated people has the civilization and they behave and believe in mannerism. People who do not have education and ability to read literature are different in nature. They have their own kind of civilization and they are unaware of the basics of their culture. These people follow educated people and try to get the knowledge about proper behaviorism and mannerism. In the Victorian Age, there was a trend of reading novel. By the characters and their behavior in the novel people used to follow the culture. In the same age there was a trend of keeping books and that was considered as the most cultured act in the society.

      Literature provides information about history and civilization.  When we read it, as a reader we observe the behavior of characters. We try to get their good habits in our life. Still reading the novels is in the trend.

4) To make ourselves better people:

     Literature gives us the knowledge about good and evil. In the society good and evil both exists together. Literature contains the ‘poetic justice’ in which, at the end evil gets punishment. We can make ourselves better by reading good characters and their humbleness. Books of literature are full of kind, humble, noble and good people which inspires the readers. By these characteristics we can say that literature makes ourselves better. 

5) To pass time:

      Literature is a best activity by which we can pass our time. In our leisure time, the best activity we can do is reading books, magazines, short stories or novel. 

6) To improve language:

     Literature contains rich and pure form of language. Literature is written by scholars and thinkers. They have the knowledge of language and they very well know the use and structure of language. Every writer has his/her own style, for example Virginia Woolf used to write in the stream of conscious which contains flow of language and long sentences, Samuel Becket in his play ‘Waiting for Godot’ used very short dialogues with limited words and Hemingway has always used short sentences with deep meaning. It also contains forms like poetry and narrative poetry which gives the knowledge about using language differently. When we read these books and observe the language we come to know about various writing styles. Literature can be used as the best tool of learning and teaching language. In most of ELT (English Language Teaching) tasks literature is used as the tool for various language practices. Students can learn language more effectively from stories and poems rather than grammar structures. It also helps students of science and other languages to learn English language properly with fun. 

7) To get job:

      Literature also contains variety of fields to explore as the career option. It gives us wide field of study and research. By studying literature one can get knowledge and on the basis of that knowledge the job opportunities are also there. Literature makes us better in behavior, language, knowledge, and it also gives us maturity. These all things help us in getting a good job. By studying literature deeply we can get good job at international level. 

Conclusion:

       Literature provides us good life style with enough understanding. We should study literature to keep our self alive in this world of machine and technology. Literature provides mental peace with good earning. It is helpful in all the ways of living life and that is why we should study literature.