"What is Literature?": A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers

Summary

This video script explores the complex question of what constitutes 'Literature with a capital L', distinguishing it from general written texts. It delves into the problematic nature of the literary canon, which has historically been dominated by white males, and challenges the notion that popularity or awards equate to literary value. The script suggests that true literature may be defined by its inventiveness, singularity, and ability to offer new perspectives, rather than its content. It concludes that literature's definition is interwoven with the world, the text, and the reader's experience, emphasizing the importance of continued reading to discover literature's enduring value.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the complex nature of defining what makes something 'literary', suggesting that a definitive answer may not be possible in a short video.
• 🔍 It differentiates between 'Literature with a capital L' and 'literature with a small l', with the former referring to a select group of texts considered to have lasting artistic or cultural merit.
• 🏛 The concept of 'canonicity' is introduced as a way to determine literary value, but it is critiqued for being historically dominated by white, male gatekeepers.
• 🕰 The script points out the limitations of canonicity, noting that it excludes contemporary literature and does not guarantee lasting value, as exemplified by the initial lack of success of 'Moby-Dick'.
• 💭 An alternative, subjective definition of literature is briefly considered, where personal affection for a text could define it as literary, but this is dismissed as too subjective and historically contingent.
• 🎨 Derek Attridge's three qualities of modern Western Literature are highlighted: inventiveness, singularity of vision, and a sense of 'otherness' that challenges readers' perceptions.
• 🌐 The script emphasizes that literature is not limited by content but by its impact on the reader through style and construction.
• 📖 It acknowledges the historical preference for poetry and 'great works' in shaping mature and sympathetic reader-citizens, but also the problematic aspects of these definitions.
• 🤔 The script raises the question of whether there is an inherent quality in a text that makes it literary, suggesting that irony and complexity of language may be key.
• 🔄 Roland Barthes' distinction between the 'text of pleasure' and the 'text of jouissance' is presented, with the latter being more demanding and potentially disorienting, aligning it with 'Literature with a capital L'.
• 🔄 The script recognizes the challenges in defining literature, noting that any definition seems to have exceptions and that genre fiction, despite its conventions, can still be literary.
• 🌟 Ultimately, the script concludes that what counts as Literature depends on the interplay of the world, the text, and the critic or reader, and that the 'test of time' theory still holds some merit.

Q & A

What is the distinction between 'Literature with a capital L' and 'literature with a small l'?

‘Literature with a capital L’ refers to a subset of texts considered to have artistic or cultural significance, while ‘literature with a small l’ refers to any written text, regardless of its literary merit.

What does the original meaning of the word 'literature' imply about 'Literature with a Capital L'?

The original meaning of 'literature' as 'the use of letters' or 'writing' suggests that 'Literature with a Capital L' could be understood as writing that imparts knowledge and is worthy of study.

What is the concept of 'canonicity' in the context of literature?

Canonicity refers to the status of a literary work being recognized by cultural institutions as having lasting artistic or cultural merit, thus being included in the literary canon.

Why has the concept of the literary canon been problematic?

The literary canon has been problematic because it has traditionally been defined by a predominantly White and male group of gatekeepers, leading to an exclusion of diverse authors and perspectives.

How does the idea of contemporary literature challenge the concept of the literary canon?

Contemporary literature challenges the concept of the literary canon because works that have not yet stood the test of time cannot be included in the canon by definition, yet they may still possess literary value.

What alternative definition to canonicity is suggested in the script?

An alternative definition suggested is a more subjective one: if a reader loves a piece of writing, they might consider it 'Literature,' although this is acknowledged to be too subjective for a universal definition.

What are the three qualities that Derek Attridge identifies as defining modern Western Literature?

The three qualities Derek Attridge identifies are: 1) a quality of invention or inventiveness in the text, 2) the reader's sense of the text's singularity or unique vision, and 3) a sense of 'otherness' that prompts the reader to perceive the world anew.

How does the idea of 'defamiliarization' relate to the experience of reading literature?

Defamiliarization refers to the effect of a literary text that forces or asks readers to see the world differently, making the familiar seem strange and prompting a reevaluation of their perceptions.

What is the difference between 'the text of pleasure' and 'the text of jouissance' according to Roland Barthes?

According to Roland Barthes, 'the text of pleasure' is more aligned with everyday literature and provides immediate enjoyment, while 'the text of jouissance' is more aligned with 'Literature with a capital L' and offers a deeper, potentially disorienting experience that surpasses the everyday.

What are the three interrelated factors that determine what counts as Literature?

The three interrelated factors are the world (external context and expectations), the text (the presentation and content of the work itself), and the critic or reader (the individual's reception and interpretation of the text).

What does the script suggest as the ultimate way to experience what Literature is?

The script suggests that the ultimate way to experience what Literature is, is to keep reading, as it is through reading that one encounters texts that challenge, excite, and inspire.