Definition of Literature

Throughout  all of human history, story telling has been the most universal way for people of all backgrounds to pass their morals from one generation to the next. Although these stories were once only able to be passed down orally, technological advancements have allowed mankind to share their stories  through writing, books, and even the Internet. With that said, it is evident that humans naturally desire to share their stories with others, which, for most of mankind, has been expressed through the art of literature. To me, literature can be defined as an art that puts life into perspective. An answer to many of life’s unanswered questions. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” This quote demonstrates how literature holds the ability to nourish the soul, feed the spirit, and release the mind into worlds unimaginable in reality.
For many people in the world, literature is a way to not only escape reality, but to make one’s own reality more substantial. For myself, reading a book that I truly enjoy is like feeding my soul. Literature allows me to expand my thoughts, and enter places in my imagination that I had before thought to be unreachable. Upon finishing “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland” by Lewis Carrol this year in my AP Literature class, I began to reflect upon my life, and how it connected to the main character’s. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” allowed my imagination to travel far beyond the norm of reality through the book’s use of personification and its lucid dreamlike plot. I then realized how quickly my childhood is ending, and that the transformation from adolescence to adulthood is rapidly approaching despite my considerable opposition. My things about my life were put into perspective after reading lines such as, “But it's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.“ (Carrol) This is example of my connection to the main character in Lewis Carrol’s book illustrates how literature is able to bring about revelations in some people, and allow them to realize certain things about themselves.
For many people around the world, certain pieces of literature have the ability to alter their lives, and change them forever. In the song “Killing Me Softly With His Song”, by Roberta Flack, the artist tells the story of a stranger who sings a song about a woman with problems identical to hers. The artist is dumbfounded because she has never met the singer who sings of her problems, yet she feels like his song is purposely directed towards her. This situation is common with the reading of many holy texts such as the Bible, the Qur’an, and the Tipitaka. These pieces of literature are so influential that many people are willing to kill, and die, for the prophesies mentioned in them. Muslim holy suicides are an example of the extreme impact literature can have on a person’s life. The Qu’ran reads "Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter... But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful... If they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (2:190-193) Many Muslims around the world find this piece of literature so important that they are willing to kill those who disagree with it. Western culture and morals are all centered around the Christian teachings of the Bible, which was written over 4,000 years ago. Even though many may not realize it, most of the worlds practices are centered around literature. Although loosened within the past few decades, many social morals and federal laws concerning marriage, sexuality, and fidelity which are based on Christian preaching’s are still in effect today. Exodus 21:24 reads, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot.” It is inferred that many state’s laws on capital punishment are derived from this excerpt of literature. Many other Christian beliefs in the Bible, such as those on homosexuality and divorce, are valued by many world citizens still today.
Almost since the beginning of time, man has passed down their stories, traditions, and morals from generation to generation. The use of literature has allowed for revolutionary ideas to be sparked, imaginations to flourish, and lives to be dramatically altered forever. For me personally, the definition of literature is not something that can be defined through words. However, it is a universal tool that we all have bear inside of us which can help us overcome almost any obstacle. With knowledge of literature, almost all things are possible, and it is my belief that “Every man’s memory is his private literature.”, quoted from Aldous Huxley.