What is Literature and How Literature Shaped Me?
What is Literature and How Literature Shaped Me?
Hello viewers 👋
I am Maya Batiya student in MA sem- 4 in department of English MKBU Bhavnagar university.
"This blog is part of an assignment given by Prof. Dilip Barad. In it, I will express my perspectives on the question What is literature?, discuss how literary works have impacted and shaped my thinking, and illustrate my personal analogy for literature."
∆∆ What is Literature and How Literature Shaped Me?
• What is Literature?
For me, literature is more than just words on a page; it is a living entity, constantly evolving and influencing the way people think, feel, and interact with the world. It is a mirror that reflects society, a window into different cultures and histories, and a doorway to imagination and critical thinking. Literature is not confined to books alone; it exists in oral traditions, plays, poetry, philosophical discourses, and even modern digital narratives. It is a river of ideas that carries emotions, conflicts, dreams, and realities across generations. Literature preserves voices that would otherwise be lost, challenges norms, and provides insight into the human condition.
Through literature, I have come to understand that it is not just about storytelling but about shaping perspectives. It has the power to question authority (1984 by George Orwell), highlight social injustices (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee), and offer deep philosophical reflections on existence (The Stranger by Albert Camus). Literature, therefore, is not merely an academic subject—it is a means of engaging with the world, understanding different viewpoints, and discovering new ways of thinking.
How Literature Shaped Me
1. Literature Expanded My Perspective
Reading literature has broadened my understanding of diverse cultures, histories, and ideologies. Works like Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe introduced me to postcolonial narratives, while Hamlet made me reflect on existential dilemmas. Through literature, I have stepped into the shoes of characters from different backgrounds, eras, and belief systems, helping me develop empathy and cultural awareness.
2. Literature Challenged My Thinking
Some books act like calm streams, offering comfort and wisdom, while others are like turbulent waters, forcing me to confront uncomfortable truths. Engaging with feminist readings of Jane Eyre or deconstructing colonial themes in Heart of Darkness pushed me to question my assumptions about literature, history, and power structures. Theories like Marxism, Postmodernism, and Deconstruction reshaped my understanding of texts, making me see that meaning is never fixed—it is always evolving.
3. Literature as a Form of Self-Discovery
During my B.A. years, literature helped me find my intellectual identity. Each book added a new layer to my thoughts, whether it was the philosophical depth of Kafka, the poetic beauty of Wordsworth, or the psychological intensity of Dostoevsky. It was during this time that I realized literature is not just about understanding others it is also a tool for self-reflection.
As I progressed into my M.A. studies, literature became more than just an exploration of ideas it became a way to engage critically with the world. Writing research papers, debating interpretations in seminars, and analyzing texts through different theoretical frameworks made me realize that literature is an active conversation, not a passive experience. It taught me to read between the lines, question dominant narratives, and seek deeper meanings in everything.
4. Literature and the Power of Words
Literature has made me appreciate the power of language how words can inspire revolutions, shape ideologies, and leave lasting impacts. Writers like Orwell, Morrison, and Coetzee showed me that literature is not neutral; it has the ability to resist oppression, challenge stereotypes, and give voice to the marginalized. This realization made me more conscious of how narratives shape reality and how literature can be a force for change.
5. Literature as a Lifelong Journey
Even after my formal studies, literature remains a guiding force in my life. The river of literature continues to flow, offering me new perspectives, new challenges, and new ways of seeing the world. It has shaped me into a more critical thinker, a more empathetic individual, and a more engaged scholar. Literature is not just a subject I studied it is a lifelong companion that continues to shape the way I think, question, and interpret the world around me.
Conclusion
Literature, for me, is an ever-flowing river sometimes gentle, sometimes turbulent, but always transformative. It has not only shaped my academic journey but also my personal growth, teaching me to navigate the complexities of human nature, society, and knowledge. Through literature, I have learned that stories are not just told they shape the way we see the world, the way we define ourselves, and the way we connect with others. And as I continue to read, analyze, and reflect, I know that the journey with literature will never truly end.
∆∆ My Metaphor for Literature :
• Literature as a River
During my B.A. years, literature felt like a river constantly flowing through my academic and personal life, shaping my thoughts, and connecting me to voices across time and space. Just as a river carves the land it touches, literature molded my perspectives, deepening my understanding of human emotions, society, and culture. Each book I encountered was like a tributary, adding new currents of knowledge and insight to my intellectual journey. Whether it was the poetic depth of Wordsworth, the existential struggles in Kafka’s works, or the sharp social critiques in Orwell’s novels, every text influenced the landscape of my mind. Literature also acted as a bridge between generations, allowing me to engage with the thoughts of writers from different centuries. The struggles of Shakespearean characters, the rebellion of Romantic poets, and the postcolonial voices of writers like Chinua Achebe and Arundhati Roy made me realize that literature is not just about storytelling it is a conversation across time.
There were moments when literature was a calm stream, offering solace during the overwhelming phases of academic pressure. Reading the reflective verses of Keats or the philosophical musings of Camus provided me with a sense of peace, much like sitting by a quiet riverside. But literature was also turbulent waters challenging my beliefs, unsettling my assumptions, and making me confront uncomfortable realities. Whether it was grappling with feminist readings of Jane Eyre or dissecting the colonial undertones in Heart of Darkness, literature often pushed me into intellectual rapids, forcing me to think critically and question deeply. However, as my undergraduate years progressed, I realized that literature, like a river, has no final destination it is an ongoing journey. Each book, discussion, and essay was not an endpoint but a stepping stone to deeper understanding.
Moving into my M.A. years, the river of literature widened and deepened, demanding a more profound engagement with texts. If my B.A. experience was about recognizing literature’s currents, my M.A. years were about learning to navigate them skillfully. The study of literary theory introduced me to new lenses of interpretation Marxism, Feminism, Deconstruction each acting like different streams converging into my broader understanding of literature. Reading Derrida and Foucault reshaped my perception of language and power, while authors like Toni Morrison and J.M. Coetzee forced me to reconsider historical narratives and marginalized voices. At this stage, literature was no longer just about appreciating stories; it became an intellectual and ethical pursuit, challenging me to rethink identity, history, and truth.
Literature also became more of a dialogue during my M.A. studies. In seminars and research discussions, I no longer approached texts passively but actively questioned and debated interpretations. Writing research papers felt like swimming against strong currents, requiring patience, rigor, and resilience. The river of literature was no longer just flowing past me I was now navigating it with purpose, exploring its depths through my own critical arguments and perspectives. While my B.A. years were about discovering literature’s beauty, my M.A. experience was about understanding its power how literature constructs meaning, influences ideologies, and shapes the way we perceive the world.
Even after completing my M.A., the river of literature continues to flow, carrying me toward new ideas, new perspectives, and an ever-expanding horizon of knowledge. Whether I revisit the familiar shores of classic literature or venture into unexplored waters of contemporary theory, the journey never truly ends. Literature remains a force of movement and transformation, constantly shaping my thoughts and intellectual pursuits, much like a river that never ceases to flow.
Thank you.. 🍁🍂🍁
