Lesson - 6 : d07116

Literary Criticism & Other Fields

    This lesson talks about the relation between literary criticism and other fields of knowledge. It also discusses these other fields and their characteristics. Literature is the basis for any literary critic. Literary criticism is dependent on various fields; likewise literature is also dependent on different fields. There are several basic similarities between literature and other fields of knowledge.

    Literature is a form of art - art is a form of expression. Another characteristic of art is its ability to invoke interest. There are sixty four different arts and the art of literature is foremost among them. Since language forms the basis of literature, it is also known as a fine art and an useful art. Arts can be classified as aesthetic arts and performing arts. Paintings and dramas form a part of aesthetic arts and art performed for an audience is performing art.

    There is also a relation between literature and music. Songs form the basis for any poem. Poems are also known as “The Queen of Literature”. Music is universal and gives peace to the mind.

    Literature is closely related to the art of painting. Painting is a very old art according to “Punaiya Oviam”. Paintings are silent poems and speaking pictures according to the French painter Charles A.D. Fresnoy. This particular statement proves the closeness of painting in literature. In Manimegalai there is a reference to a beautiful park as a painting.

    Literary criticism can also be called as a science rather than an art. Criticism cannot be compared to either history or geography, but it possesses certain qualities that relate it to science. Logic and objectivity are found in literary criticism and hence this relation with science. A good literary critic considers the characteristics of science and gives his definition.

    History also has a relation to literary criticism. The literary critic should be well - versed in history. For example a critic who studies poems should know about the history of these poems. History of literature should be known and this will be helpful in writing criticism on a particular literature.

    Literature is closely related to the principles of life. Literature can also be described as a reflection of life. Literature has a few principles that it follows. Materialism is a principle that literature follows.

    From this lesson we have seen the relation between literature and other fields such as music, painting, science and history. There are sixty four different types of arts and literature is foremost among them. Hence one can say that literature is an art that is related to many fields we come across in life.