Thursday 10 February 2011

What is great literature?


I was sitting in my literature class last week and I started thinking about this question: What is great literature? I am now in my third year studying journalism and English Literature and during my last two years we have been able to choose what kind of literature classes we want to take. And I have based my decisions on the books that are covered in the modules, books I think sounds interesting, funny or scary. But does that mean that the books are great literature?

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For me a good book is a book that speaks to me and that leaves a mark in my memory and my heart. A book with a language that really speaks to me and is not just fancy words on a page. As a literature student I have read many books over the last two and a half years and I am not afraid to say that several of the books did not give me much. It was kind of like eating fast food. You want and perhaps need it at the moment but as you’ve swallowed that last bite you don’t have the same satisfaction as you would have had when eating a proper meal. It’s the same with books, not every book gives you the satisfaction you’re looking for.

At the moment I’m reading a lot of crime fiction novels for my crime fiction module. I have really enjoyed Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie, but some of the books we have read have been like a fast food experience to me. You’re simply reading the book to find out who the murderer or the thief is and once you’ve figured it out then that’s it. When I read Dracula last year it was a completely different experience; I was almost in love. Vampires are very popular these days and Stephanie Meyer has managed to capture the world with her Twilight series. But reading Dracula was so different. It was one of the first true vampire stories and as you’re turning the pages you cannot help but wonder what is happening in the novel. But we live in 2011 now and are well aware of what vampires do and how they act and that kind of ruined the book for me. I knew that Dracula was a vampire before I had even finished the first page, but I set my mind into believing I had no idea and truly loved the book. I loved the story. And the story has so much to do when it comes to determine what good literature is.
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I believe that great literature is an individual meaning. Some people cannot live without Shakespeare whereas others can’t stand the formal language. Over the years publishers have taken chances into publishing stories that are slightly different than classic literature and it has become a huge success. Harry Potter, the Twilight series and His Dark Materials are only a few popular series where I could not put down the book. They are different from Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen but I’ve enjoyed them all on a different level. So I guess it is somewhat difficult to determine what the definition of great literature is, but you can make up a definition that suits you. I have and on my what-to-read-list I believe there are some great books that will take me on an incredible journey. Because in the end, there is no right or wrong way to read.

10 comments:

  1. I totally agree with you - I've read "great literature' that I didn't really like...but the books that spoke to me are my favorite!

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  2. So true. Great literature is what you feel speaks to you. I have a feeling there is a lot of English Lit teachers (like my own) who doesn't really understand that.

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  3. I agree that a good book is one that speaks to me! I totally agree with you. Great post!

    And yes, I'm loving the series! I'm almost finished the Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest... I don't want it to end!

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  4. Thank you =) I know, I didn't want the book to end either. But to me that is proving something, when you wish a book could last forever. Now that is great literature.

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  5. As a grad student studying English literature, I love this post. I couldn't agree more. Every English student asks him/herself at some point in time what is or should be classified as "good literature," and the answer varies from person to person. We may have the same idea as what "good" literature is, but our opinions of what is "good" and what is "bad" will differ. That's the beauty of literature.

    http://glamkittenslitterbox.blogspot.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  6. I completely agree. At times "great literature" is not my cup of tea (I'll curl up with a good ole Young Adult anytime.) I't funny because I spend half my life in literature classes. I'm taking 3 just this semester! I really enjoy Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Bronte sisters. I also love lots and lots of children's literature, such as Peter Pan and The Secret Garden. I just finished reading Frankenstein which was very interesting. I'm working on Anna Karenina which just picked up on page 80 or so.

    However, a lot of other stuff I read is flat out boring or strange!!! Try reading Proust on a quiet day. His style of streaming consciousness drives me insane. It's so long and random. Kaffka is quite the existentialist, with all his 'woe is life.' Early Americans think a paragraph is 5 pages long! It's hard to really fine tune your tastes when it comes to "great literature."

    Like you said, it has to speak to you and not all of it will.

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  7. HI! Oh what you say is so true, i read a lot, but i'll read any type of book, some i like some i don't, some i forget in a couple of days! I tend to stay away from books that have won Literature Prizes..i always think....who gets to sit and judge what great literature is? what makes them qualified to do that? everyone is different right? I have got some classics though, might re read those at soe point. So many books....so little tie lol

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  8. Bonnie - Thank you for your sweet comment =) And I totally agree with you, what is good literature varies from person to person. Literature has so much to offer and everyone can find something that they like.

    AubrieAnne - I love children's literature! It is simply amazing. It's actually a class here at my uni that is all about children's literature and I really wanted to take it, but it clashed with some of my other classes I wanted to take. But I had actually already read a few of the books they were covering, so hopefully I haven't miss out on too much. And I know what you mean about boring stuff. I had to read Tristram Shandy during my first year and it is the worst book I have ever read! Of course my teachers loved it.

    Claire - Hi to you. I totally agree with you. No one should sit somewhere and decide what is and what is not great literature. I really believe that it is an individual decision as everyone is different. It is a reason why some books are classics but that does not mean that they are great literature for everyone. And I know; so many books and way too little time.

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  9. I understand when you say some books are like fast food. These days I'm crazy about OLD literature. A book that takes you to anything place and TIME. Like Hemingway and D. H Lawrence. Crazy, crazy good. Love the Bronte sisters as well :)

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  10. Katie - I really like Hemingway. I haven't read much but what I have read has been surprisingly good. Glad to hear you're enjoying old literature, I am too. And I love the Bronte sisters, Jane Eyre is one of my favourite =)

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Thank you for taking your time ♥ Your comments put a big smile on my face and I read and respond to every single one of them ♥

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