What is Literature

This simple looking term coins much more difficulty when we have to answer it. Some of the things are like, too difficult to explain. For example quantum theory, And unlike that, some are too handy or familiar. So we usually do not take it into account. For example, Taste of Water. It is a part and parcel o out life. We require it the most throughout the day. So if somebody asks water. What it tastes like? So, for a moment we all will think. How to describe taste of water?

“What is Literature?” is that type of question. With the stories told by my father, literature has entered my life when I was too young to think about literature like this. So it is something like routine, day-to-day happening thing. Just like we go for water! It is like, inside there is clear cut image for “What is Literature”. But it is so simple that it becomes difficult to shape the image with words.

-        “Mirror of Society?”

-        “Hammer of society?”

-        “Ex of society?”

-        “Honeycomb?”

-        “Cobweb”?

Literature is being discussed since long. Its history may lead us to the very roots of human civilization. So it is much older and accepted notion of society. So it is obvious that we have series of metaphors, definitions for what literature is.

But problem with many of the definitions will remain. As Derrida says, No Definition can describe the term at its fullest. Many definitions will contradict each other and it will not be covering all the aspects of literature. 

“THE ART OF STORYTELLING”

To me, it seems more nearer to the term than any other definition. Ultimately it’s all on which literature functions. It is all about how well you can express the story. More expressive, truthful the narration is more the literature is going to survive.

Literature we can divide into two major components and that is

PROSE N VERSE

And more specifically it is divided into three genres and that is

1.  Poem 2. Drama 3. Novel.

And those three genres have got their sub-genre.

Poem: Epic, Sonnet, haiku etc.

Novel: Novella, Short Story etc.

So, is it all about Literature? Still I feel that something is missing.

Nowadays we have changes media or medium of telling the story. We have shifted with TECHNOLOGY in STORY TELLING also. As so many institutes have started considering “MOVIE” as literature. Forms get changed with span of time but essence remains the same. Effect changes with medium but the print of expression will be the same. It is like old wine in new bottle. We may feel catharsis and other dramatic heightened outlet with films also.

Book also gets replaced with other devices like “VOOK”. Vook is combination of V-ideo and b-OOK. Some parts will come into video session and rest will be written. This is totally different kind of experience. It will open up the doors for totally new imagination.

Now we have some softwares in computer which generates poetry as well. So how all the things still will remain equivalent?

So Again, I would like to say, it have changed. And I think totally new definition needs to come out which includes technological literature also.

Derrida says each and every event is text. It is not limited with books, pages and all about old stereotypes of Literature. In Simple words I would say that whatever pleases you, is literature. 

Ultimately what i still believe, matches with the idea what I used to think 2 years back. When we entered department, we were asked to write down what do we think , "what is literature.". My view still matches with that. that ultimately its all about pleasure. But what change have taken place is that, it is having more dimensions.