Literature, at its core, is a collection of written works. Traditionally, the term “literature” has been reserved for imaginative poetry and prose distinguished by the author’s intent and the perceived aesthetic excellence of its execution. It is a multifaceted field, classified by language, national origin, historical period, genre, and subject matter. Understanding what is literature involves delving into its historical context, diverse forms, and evolving definitions.
Definitions of what is literature can be somewhat circular. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines it as “writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest.” Walter Pater described imaginative or artistic literature as a “transcript, not of mere fact, but of fact in its infinitely varied forms.” The word “literature” originates from the Latin littera, meaning “a letter of the alphabet.” Therefore, literature encompasses humankind’s entire body of writing, the writings of a specific language or people, and individual pieces of writing.
“Robert Frost: The Onset” Poem – Exploring the connection between nature and poetry in literature.
The term “writing” can be misleading when discussing literature, as one may also refer to “oral literature” or “the literature of preliterate peoples.” The art of literature transcends the mere words on a page; they exist because of the craft of writing. As an art form, literature organizes words to evoke pleasure, elevating and transforming experience beyond simple enjoyment. Furthermore, literature plays a broader societal role, both critiquing and affirming cultural values.
The Scope of Literature: What Qualifies?
Literature serves as a form of human expression. However, not all written words are considered literature. Writings that are primarily informative, such as technical, scholarly, or journalistic works, are typically excluded by most critics. Yet, certain forms are universally recognized as literary art. Individual works within these forms are deemed successful if they possess artistic merit, a quality that is easier to recognize than to define. For instance, a scientific exposition might hold great literary value, while a mediocre poem may have none.
The purest form of literature is often considered the lyric poem, followed by elegiac, epic, dramatic, narrative, and expository verse. Literary criticism often relies on the analysis of poetry because it presents the aesthetic challenges of literature in their simplest and purest form. Poetry that lacks literary merit is simply referred to as verse. While many novels, particularly the great ones, are considered literature, countless others are not. Similarly, most significant dramas are considered literature, although some cultures, like the Chinese, may not attribute literary merit to their plays.
Historically, the Greeks considered history as one of the seven arts, inspired by the muse Clio. Classic historical surveys can be noble examples of literary art, but most contemporary historical works are not primarily focused on literary excellence, though they may possess it incidentally.
The essay, once deliberately crafted as a piece of literature, has evolved. Today, most essays serve as expository journalism, although some essayists still adhere to the artistic tradition. Literary critics, drama critics, and art critics often produce some of the greatest essays.
Personal documents such as autobiographies, diaries, memoirs, and letters can also rank among the world’s greatest literature. Some of these biographical works were created with the intention of being read by future generations, while others were not. They vary in literary style, ranging from highly polished to privately evolved languages, earning their status through cogency, insight, depth, and scope.
Many philosophical works are classified as literature. Plato’s Dialogues are known for their narrative skill and fine prose, while Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations are a collection of random thoughts written in an eccentric Greek. Both are considered literature, while other philosophical speculations may not be. Similarly, certain scientific works endure as literature long after their scientific content becomes outdated, particularly in natural history books where personal observation is crucial, as exemplified by Gilbert White’s Natural History and Antiquities of Selbourne.
Oratory, the art of persuasion, was historically considered a great literary art. Native American oratory is renowned, and in Classical Greece, Polymnia was the muse of poetry and oratory. Cicero’s oratory significantly influenced the development of English prose style. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address remains a cornerstone of American literature and oratory. However, oratory is now more often viewed as a craft than an art.
Most critics would not consider advertising copywriting, purely commercial fiction, or cinema and television scripts as literary expression, although this is a contested viewpoint. The ultimate test is enduring satisfaction and truthfulness. As civilization advances, categorizing literature becomes increasingly challenging, as words are ubiquitous. In this constant flood of communication, occasional pieces of writing, whether in high-level journalism, television, cinema, commercial fiction, or plain expository prose, may achieve aesthetic satisfaction, depth, and relevance, entitling them to be considered alongside other forms of literary art. In conclusion, what is literature is a dynamic and evolving concept, shaped by cultural values, artistic expression, and historical context.
