7/25/2019 Eng 073 literature notes.docx

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Eng 073 World Literature

Meaning and Importance of Literature

Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived from the Latin

litteraturameaning writing formed with letters! literature most commonl" refers to works of the

creative imagination! including poetr"! drama! #ction! non#ction! $ournalism! and in some instances!

song.

Literature represents the culture and tradition of a language or a people.

Literature preserves the ideals of a people% and ideals&&love! faith! dut"! friendship! freedom!

reverence&&are the part of human life most worth" of preservation.

'll our arts! our sciences! even our inventions are founded s(uarel" upon ideals% for under ever"

invention is still the dream ofBeowulf! that man ma" overcome the forces of nature% and the

foundation of all our sciences and discoveries is the immortal dream that men shall be as gods!

knowing good and evil.

Literature is more than $ust a historical or cultural artifact! but can serve as an introduction to a new

world of e)perience.

Works of literature! at their best! provide a kind of blueprint of human civili*ation. +rom the writings of

ancient civili*ations like Eg"pt! and ,hina! to -reek philosoph" and poetr"% from the epics of omer to

the pla"s of /hakespeare! from ane 'usten and ,harlotte 1ronte to 2a"a 'ngelou! works of literature

give insight and conte)t to all the worlds societies.

Literature is important to us because it speaks to us! it is universal! and it a4ects us on a deepl"

personal level. Even when it is ugl"! literature is beautiful.

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