When approaching the question ‘what is literature?’ I immediately began with the key word, ‘literature’. In all my writing I attempt to get to the centre of what each word in the title means. In this way I can create an argument with an accurate focus giving my writing a backbone: a stem with which I can use to structure my argument giving it a sense of purpose. However, when googling (naturally I jump straight to Google, who doesn’t?) the definition of literature, there were so many different classifications – ‘writing of artistic merit’ or ‘books on a particular subject’ are just a few – that it was difficult to pin down a definitive meaning to the word. It struck me that if Google – the fount of all knowledge – could not give me some sort of universally accepted idea then surely I must decide a definition for myself. In this way I suppose literature must be like religion. Everyone has their own beliefs over faith but none can prove to the entire Earth that their ideas are factually correct. So, for all intents and purposes, religion is subjective. It is objective to the believer but from an outsider’s unbiased perspective, the universally accepted religion is non-existent. I believe it is the same with literature. Literature means something very different to a scientist, an English teacher, to my Mum and to me. We all have our own perspectives but it is pretty much impossible to prove that one person is more correct than the other.
Personally, I think that literature is entirely subjective (if you hadn’t guessed already). If you look at a sign saying “no smoking” and you see some sort of subtext or find some sort of personal connection with the sign then that is literature. I do find a connection with a ‘no smoking’ sign because I dislike smoking with a passion. I find that it is toxic and unpleasant for the passive smokers around those smoking. Therefore I like it when I see a ‘no smoking’ sign. For me, that sign is literature. That doesn’t mean that it’s necessary to study the sign into great depth. A ‘no smoking’ sign means exactly what it says – in the area the sign is placed, smoking is prohibited. However, just because the sign doesn’t need much debate, I still feel a personal connection – so it is literature. Literature isn’t black and white. The word ‘vindaloo’ means very little to me other than the fact that it is a curry. I like Chicken Korma (exciting right?) and I have yet to experience a vindaloo curry that means anything of worth to me. Consequently, the word ‘vindaloo’ is not literature. On the other hand, I may pass a couple on the street who find the idea of a vindaloo curry intrinsically important to their relationship (perhaps it was the meal they had on a first date or something). To them, the words ‘vindaloo curry’ are literature because they have a meaning to them which is more than the definition of the word.
I understand that my views may seem extreme or too anti-realist for some but I dare you to sit in your room and look at all the words around you on posters, messages on Facebook or notes on your personal calendar. You will be astounded by how much of it will be literature in accordance with my subjective definition. I love reading, I love literature and I love the idea of being surrounded by literature. Wherever you are, chances are that you will find the odd phrase or word that will resonate with you. I like the idea of calling that resonance literature. Consequently, you will never be alone because as long as there are words in the world, you will always have literature. Give it a try, I dare you.
Personally, I think that literature is entirely subjective (if you hadn’t guessed already). If you look at a sign saying “no smoking” and you see some sort of subtext or find some sort of personal connection with the sign then that is literature. I do find a connection with a ‘no smoking’ sign because I dislike smoking with a passion. I find that it is toxic and unpleasant for the passive smokers around those smoking. Therefore I like it when I see a ‘no smoking’ sign. For me, that sign is literature. That doesn’t mean that it’s necessary to study the sign into great depth. A ‘no smoking’ sign means exactly what it says – in the area the sign is placed, smoking is prohibited. However, just because the sign doesn’t need much debate, I still feel a personal connection – so it is literature. Literature isn’t black and white. The word ‘vindaloo’ means very little to me other than the fact that it is a curry. I like Chicken Korma (exciting right?) and I have yet to experience a vindaloo curry that means anything of worth to me. Consequently, the word ‘vindaloo’ is not literature. On the other hand, I may pass a couple on the street who find the idea of a vindaloo curry intrinsically important to their relationship (perhaps it was the meal they had on a first date or something). To them, the words ‘vindaloo curry’ are literature because they have a meaning to them which is more than the definition of the word.
I understand that my views may seem extreme or too anti-realist for some but I dare you to sit in your room and look at all the words around you on posters, messages on Facebook or notes on your personal calendar. You will be astounded by how much of it will be literature in accordance with my subjective definition. I love reading, I love literature and I love the idea of being surrounded by literature. Wherever you are, chances are that you will find the odd phrase or word that will resonate with you. I like the idea of calling that resonance literature. Consequently, you will never be alone because as long as there are words in the world, you will always have literature. Give it a try, I dare you.