This blog is part of a task assigned by Prof. Dilip Barad. Here, I will explore my understanding of the question "What is literature?", reflect on "How literature has shaped me?", and present my personal metaphor for literature.
What, Why and How of Studying Literature :
What is Literature?
For me, literature is more than just words on a page—it is a living, breathing entity that connects me to different times, places, and emotions. It is a mirror that reflects human nature and a window that opens up new perspectives. Literature is where I have found solace, inspiration, and understanding. It is not just about stories or poetry; it is about voices—voices that challenge, comfort, and shape the way we see the world. Whether in the pages of a novel, the verses of a poem, or the lines of a play, literature carries the essence of human experience, making it timeless and deeply personal.
How Literature Shaped me ?
Literature has not just been an academic subject for me—it has been a transformative force that has shaped my intellect, emotions, and worldview. Every literary work I have studied has left an imprint on my thinking, helping me understand human nature, history, and the power of storytelling.
When I first encountered Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the study of Elizabethan literature, I was struck by the depth of human emotions—grief, indecision, revenge—all captured in poetic brilliance. Hamlet’s existential crisis made me reflect on the complexity of human choices, teaching me that literature is not just about stories but about the dilemmas we all face. Similarly, John Milton’s Paradise Lost challenged my understanding of morality, making me see how literature can explore the gray areas of human existence rather than just black and white.
Moving to the Romantic era, William Wordsworth’s Tintern Abbey made me realize how personal memories shape our relationship with nature and self-awareness. His lines, "The still, sad music of humanity," resonated deeply with me, reinforcing how literature connects the external world with internal emotions. On the other hand, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein introduced me to the dangers of unchecked ambition and scientific ethics, themes that feel even more relevant in today’s technological age.
The Victorian period brought me face-to-face with society’s moral constraints and personal tragedies. Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles left a profound impact on me—Tess’s suffering and fate made me question the rigid morality imposed on women. It was through Victorian literature that I began to see how literature not only tells stories but also critiques social norms.
Entering the twentieth century, Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway changed the way I understood narrative structure and human consciousness. The stream-of-consciousness technique made me realize that literature is not just about external events but about the hidden layers of human thought. Similarly, reading Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit made me rethink the idea of existentialism and personal freedom, reinforcing how literature can engage with philosophy in powerful ways.
Beyond British literature, American literature expanded my perspectives—Harlem Renaissance poetry, particularly Langston Hughes’ The Negro Speaks of Rivers, taught me how literature is intertwined with identity and history. Studying postcolonial literature, especially Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children, made me realize that literature is also a space of resistance and rewriting history through personal narratives.
Literature has not only shaped my intellectual growth but also my emotional depth and critical thinking. It has given me the courage to question, the ability to empathize, and the language to articulate complex ideas. Every text I have read has shaped a part of me, making literature not just an academic pursuit but a lifelong journey of discovery.
