Definitions
It should be made clear from the onset that there is no real consensus or one all embracing definition of the term literature. You should also know that some of the definitions of literature given by scholars are largely according to their wealth of life experience within their locations. Before we move further, let us consider literature both on its broad and narrow planes. Gyasi (1973) defines it in its broad sense as "anything that is written", while Rees (1973) sees it in the narrow sense of "writing which expresses and communicates thought, feelings and attitudes towards life".
The broad definition of literature appears to be vague and amorphous in that it includes works that are not literature per se, like works in fields of Education, Biology, History and a host of others, because they are written. However, they cannot qualify as real literature. The narrow definition delineates literature from its general purview to what can be called literature as a subject of study.
For you to really know what literature is, some more definitions will be given to you. This will be followed by the evaluation of each of the definitions to see which one can be said or taken to be most appropriate in discussing literature.
Moody (1987) writes that literature springs from our inborn love of telling a story, of arranging words in pleasing patterns, of expressing in words some special aspects of our human experience.
Boulton (1980) defines literature from a functional perspective as the imaginative work that gives us R’s: recreation, recognition, revelation and redemption.
Rees (1973), after describing what he regarded as literature, summed up that literature is a permanent expression in words of some thoughts or feelings in ideas about life and the world.
All the above definitions describe literature from different perspectives. Still, there are certain things that are common to them. They all recognise the fact that:
i. literature is imaginative
ii. literature expresses thoughts and feelings
iii. literature deals with life experiences
iv. literature uses words in a powerful, effective and yet captivating
manner
vi. literature promotes recreation and revelation of hidden facts.
Literature is thus summed up as permanent expressions in words (written or spoken), specially arranged in pleasing accepted patterns or forms. Literature expresses thoughts, feelings, ideas or other special aspects of human experiences.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
List the characteristics that distinguish literature from other things written in the fields of Education, Law, Biology or Economics. Why is literature an important subject?
3.2 Forms of Literature
Forms are taken to mean the mode in which literature is expressed. Usually, it is in either the spoken or written form. The spoken form predated the written one. The spoken form is common to many in the Third World or developing countries of Africa that are not literate. This is the form of literature that is called “orature” . It is orally rendered and transmitted from generation to generation. Examples are the oral literature from your locality.
The written form of literature is that which has been reduced to writing. It is common among literate cultures. It is no wonder therefore that when the British colonialists came to Africa, they did not recognise our literature, which was mostly in the oral form.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
What are the steps you must take to study literature?
Remember, the reason for this self-assessment exercise is not to test you but to encourage you to discover facts for yourself. This is one of the best ways to learn.
Steps in studying literature
What are the steps in studying literature?
Before this unit is rounded off, it is necessary to look at language issues in defining literature. Language is an important tool in literature. It is in literature that words are used in a special sense for the writer to bring out intentions. That is, words are manipulated in literature to suite the writer's intention. Let us consider the following piece of literary illustration:
Those who have nothing but guns for the hungry and think of nothing but death and dying Let them spend our earth's fortune harvesting blood from the fields of war the last banquet shall be their children's blood.
In the above poem, the poet uses ordinary words in a special sense. Look at the phrase “harvesting blood” .
Grains are normally what is harvested (or do you think blood is harvested?). However, in the poem, the poet uses 'harvest' to convey his intentions.
It is the special use of language in this manner that distinguishes literature as a subject of study, distinct from other subjects in the curriculum.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
Read the poem beginning with "Those who have nothing but guns for the hungry ...." again. Bring out four other words that are used in a special sense. Give the everyday use of the words and the way they are used in a special sense in the poem.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The attempt in this first unit is to introduce you to the world of literature. It is also to start to kindle your interest in reading and studying the work of art. There is no better way words are used in a special and yet powerful manner than in literature. Anyone who neglects literature neglects the greatest part of life. Literature will invigorate the life in you.
5.0 SUMMARY
In this unit you have learnt:
. what literature is
. how to evaluate different definitions of literature
. how to study literature, and
. the major forms or parts of literature.
This unit is intended to be purely introductory. It prepares you for the serious literary analyses that will be done in subsequent units.
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
"Literature can be interesting, innovating and dynamic". Discuss this statement in the light of your knowledge of literature and literary activities. Cite specific literary works and quotations from these works to support your answer.
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Ahmed, M. M. & Odiwo, K. (1999). Understanding Literature and Criticism. Zaria: Al Azeem Supreme Printers.
Gyasi, I. K. (1988). Ordinary Level English Literature. Accra-Tema: Ghana Publishing Co.
Moody, H. (1972). The Study of Literature. London: George Allen and Unwin.
Rees, R. J. (1973). English Literature: An Introduction for Foreign Readers. Basinstoke and London: Macmillan Education Ltd.
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