Introduction :
Literature is the art of capturing human emotions, experiences, and realities in words that connect people across time and space. It is like a window that helps us understand ourselves, others, and the world better. Earlier, I thought of literature as just a way to entertain—stories, poems, and plays that were meant to amuse or teach simple lessons. But my studies during my B.A. and M.A. changed this view completely. With guidance from our Professor through Literature: What, Why, and How?, I learned that literature has the power to shape our thoughts, build empathy, and spark creativity. I realized that literature isn’t just about stories; it’s about challenging ideas, helping us grow emotionally, and teaching us to think critically about the world we live in.
What is Literature?
Literature is the artistic expression of life through language. It reflects the realities, emotions, and thoughts of humanity while also shaping them. As a student of English literature in both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies, I have explored a variety of texts and genres that show the many sides of human life and experiences.
Before I entered college, I thought literature was just about studying novels, poems, and short stories. My understanding was limited to what we had learned in school—short novels, simple poems, and stories that were easy to remember. I didn’t know that literature could be so vast and varied.
When I started college, I came across different types of literature, like American literature, and heard many authors' names for the first time. At one point, I felt so overwhelmed that I thought of giving up. But as time went on, I began to understand literature better. My perspective changed, and I realized that novels, poems, and short stories are not just for reading—they show us society’s values, cultures, and emotions. Literature became a way for me to see the world in a new light.
B.A. Perspectives on Literature
During my B.A. studies, literature opened my eyes to the universal nature of human experiences, showing how emotions, societal values, and historical contexts are all connected. One of the key texts I studied was Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. Through David’s struggles, I learned about resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness. The novel also gave me insight into the socio-economic challenges of the Victorian era, helping me understand how individual stories can reflect broader societal issues.
Similarly, Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion taught me about identity, class, and transformation. The play’s humor and critique of social norms showed me how literature can question societal structures while still being enjoyable to read. These works taught me that literature not only mirrors life but also challenges and inspires change.
Poetry was another important part of my B.A. studies. Poems like Wordsworth’s Three Years She Grew and Robert Burns’ A Red, Red Rose helped me appreciate the beauty of nature and the depth of human emotions. These poems feel timeless because they explore themes that resonate with people across generations.
Studying metaphysical poetry, especially John Donne’s The Good-Morrow, introduced me to literature that combines deep emotions with intellectual complexity. Donne’s poetry taught me how literature can provoke thought and offer multiple layers of meaning, blending passion and intellect in a way that stays with the reader.
M.A. Perspectives on Literature
During my M.A. studies, my understanding of literature grew deeper and more detailed. Literature became more than just a reflection of life; it became a tool to analyze and understand the world. For example, studying Shakespeare’s Macbeth helped me see how literature reflects the concerns of its time, such as the fears and ambitions of the Elizabethan era, while also addressing universal themes like power, guilt, and morality.
T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land introduced me to the fragmented nature of modern life. The poem’s themes and unique structure taught me how literature adapts and experiments with form and language to express the complexities of the human experience. I learned that literature evolves to meet the needs of each generation while holding on to its essence.
Victorian literature, such as Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles, gave me insight into how literature critiques social norms and gives a voice to the oppressed. It helped me see how stories can challenge systems of injustice and highlight personal struggles.
Postcolonial literature, like Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, showed me how literature can preserve cultural identity while resisting colonial oppression. This taught me that literature is not limited to one purpose—it can educate, entertain, and empower all at once.
My M.A. studies also included literary theory, which helped me analyze texts more deeply. Concepts like Rasa, Dhvani, and Alankar connected me to Indian aesthetics, while Western theories like Derrida’s deconstruction broadened my perspective. These theories revealed that literature, across cultures, speaks to universal human emotions and challenges.
Plays like T.P. Kailasam’s The Curse of Karna explored themes of friendship, duty, and morality, teaching me about the complexity of human relationships. Novels such as J.M. Coetzee's Foe and Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea reshaped my understanding of classic works by highlighting marginalized voices, showing me how literature can question dominant narratives.
Finally, theories like eco-criticism and deconstruction helped me see literature as a dynamic medium, shaped by cultural, political, and environmental contexts. Through these studies, I realized that literature is not static—it continuously grows and adapts to address the challenges of its time.
How Literature Shaped Me
Literature has played a major role in shaping who I am, both personally and intellectually. It hasn’t just been a subject I studied; it has been a tool for self-reflection, empathy, and critical thinking. Through my B.A. and M.A. studies, I discovered how literature can shape identities, challenge views, and help us understand the complexities of human life.
During my undergraduate years, literature introduced me to the richness of life’s experiences. Novels like Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield taught me the importance of resilience in tough times while shedding light on the struggles of Victorian society. T.P. Kailasam’s The Curse of Karna explored loyalty, morality, and ethical dilemmas. Karna’s tragic journey touched me deeply, showing how literature can guide us to face tough questions about right and wrong. Poetry also had a strong impact on me. Wordsworth’s romantic poetry created a connection with nature, while John Donne’s metaphysical poems showed me the intellectual and emotional depth of poetry. These works helped me see that literature is not just a mirror of society but also a path for self-discovery and emotional growth.
In my M.A. studies, literature took on an even deeper and more transformative role. Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children introduced me to magical realism and taught me how literature can blend history with fiction to explore topics like national identity and cultural memory. J.M. Coetzee’s Foe and Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea challenged my understanding of classic texts by bringing forward the voices of marginalized characters. These works showed me that literature is not just a reflection of its time but also a way to challenge power structures and fight for justice.
Theoretical approaches like Derrida’s deconstruction and eco-criticism further broadened my perspective. They helped me see how literature questions hierarchies and explores the connection between humans and nature. Through these studies, I came to understand that literature is a dynamic and evolving form of expression.
Dr. Dilip Barad’s teachings about literature as a transformative experience had a lasting impact on me. He emphasized how literature encourages critical thinking and dialogue, inspiring me to engage deeply with texts and view literature as a tool for personal and social growth.
Overall, literature has made me a more empathetic and thoughtful person. It has helped me see the world through the eyes of others, understand diverse perspectives, and question societal norms. From Karna’s moral struggles to the postcolonial themes in Midnight’s Children, every text I’ve studied has left a lasting impression on me. Literature continues to guide me, helping me grow, learn, and navigate the complexities of life with greater understanding and compassion.
This journey of learning through literature is ongoing, and with each new text, I discover more about the world and my place in it.
Metaphor for Literature :
I think of literature as a "lantern in the dark" because it has guided, enlightened, and transformed me. Just as a lantern provides light in darkness, helping us see and understand what is around us, literature has illuminated my life, helping me grow, reflect, and understand the world better.
In my life, this metaphor is absolutely true. Before college, I wasn’t fully aware of how literature shapes our thinking and perception. It was like being in the dark. But as I studied literature, it became the light that guided me to see culture, emotions, and societal values in a new way.
When I started my journey in literature during my undergraduate years, it felt like holding a lantern that revealed life’s hidden truths. For example, Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield taught me about resilience and human endurance in difficult times, while T.P. Kailasam’s The Curse of Karna showed me the complexities of moral choices and loyalty. These works helped me see the deeper layers of human nature, good and bad, and understand how our choices define us.
During my postgraduate studies, this lantern became even more powerful, helping me explore larger social, cultural, and political issues. Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children felt like a lantern uncovering India’s layered history, showing how personal lives connect to national events. Similarly, J.M. Coetzee’s Foe and Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea brought to light the voices of marginalized characters, teaching me that literature can challenge injustice and give a voice to the silenced.
Dr. Dilip Barad’s teachings reinforced this metaphor. He often said that literature is not just for enjoyment but for critical thinking, self-reflection, and understanding society. Just like a lantern doesn’t remove obstacles but helps us see and face them, literature has given me the clarity and courage to question societal norms and think deeply about the world.
Romantic poetry, such as Wordsworth’s works, also beautifully fits this metaphor. Romantic poets reconnect us with nature, and their words feel like a lantern reigniting our love and respect for the natural world. This became especially meaningful to me during our visit to Victoria Park, where literature and nature came together to offer peace and self-awareness.
Studying theories like Derrida’s deconstruction and ecocriticism added more dimensions to this idea. Derrida’s theory helped me see what is hidden in language and thought, much like a lantern shining on shadows. Eco-criticism, on the other hand, reminded me of how literature connects us with the environment and our responsibilities toward it.
On a personal level, literature has also helped me understand myself better. Works like Wide Sargasso Sea helped me think about identity and trauma, while Midnight’s Children made me see the complexities of history and culture. Literature has always been there for me during moments of doubt, providing clarity and comfort.
The lantern metaphor also shows how literature remains timeless and relevant. Just as a lantern adapts to different situations—whether to find a path or offer comfort—literature helps us in many ways. For example, Mahesh Dattani’s Final Solutions helped me understand communal tensions, while Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea shed light on colonialism and gender inequalities. Each piece of literature has been a unique lantern, showing me new truths and ideas.
In conclusion, literature as a "lantern in the dark" perfectly captures its role in my life. It has guided me, helped me grow intellectually and emotionally, and made me more empathetic and aware. Like a lantern, it doesn’t choose the path for me but helps me see it clearly, empowering me to navigate life with courage and purpose. Literature is my constant companion, lighting my way one page at a time.
Conclusion :
My journey with literature has been one of discovery, change, and growth. At first, I thought of literature as just a collection of stories, but now I understand its deep impact on human life. Seeing literature as a lantern perfectly captures this journey, as it has guided me through life's complexities and enriched my soul.
Studying literature has helped me understand the world better and strengthened my connection with myself and others. It has taught me to look deeper, question things, and appreciate different perspectives. As I continue exploring the world of literature, I carry the lessons, insights, and inspiration it has given me, knowing it will always guide me in life.
References :
Is BA English in India just timepass? (Ketan Krishna)
IIT dropout finds B.A. English syllabus equally uninteresting (Pagal Patrakar)
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