Lesson - 3 : d06113

Lesson - 3 : d06113

Literature & Life

    This lesson talks about the relation that exists between literature and life. Literature brings out day to day activities that occur in life; life known to us is brought out thorough literature. Literary critics do not talk directly about life; instead they talk about life through these literary works. Literature looks at life from various angles instead of talking about it directly. Literary critics possess the same amount of knowledge authors possess when composing literary pieces.

    The critic is also responsible for the way the literary work reaches the audience. Literature usually deals with life; the theme of the work is related to life. There are various dimensions in life and these dimensions are brought out by the author. Literature discusses life in a simple manner; a manner that can be easily understood.

    Life is composed of feelings and incidents; literature does not depict life in a straight forward manner, instead depicts life as an experience. Literature also records life in various ways. It reflects happenings in life - not directly but in an indirect manner.

    According to Matthew Arnold, “Literature is a criticism of life”. Others express the view that Literature is the expression of life itself. Another view is that literature is an interpretation of life. Literature is complete only when it expresses and interprets life -- when it transforms external reality into artistic reality. Literature also needs to describe the period in which the work was written; for example, Avvaiyar’s song on Adhiyamaan. This song brings out the generosity of the Tamil people during that era. The place where the incident happens is also described in literature. The special features of the place described are brought out.

    According to H.A. Taine, literature is made up of three dimensions namely race, surroundings and moment. Taine also notes that these three dimensions are a part of everyone’s life.

    From this lesson we have learnt the relationship that exists between literature and life. Literature forms the basis of literary criticism. Literature brings out day to day activities that occur in life; life known to us is brought out through literature. Literature looks at life from various angles instead of talking about it directly. Hence the role of critics is to explain these different forms of literature.