Literature for me is...

Literature for me is like an optical illusion. What you see first is your definition and understanding about it. But if you look and try to understand more, you can have a different definition about it. Just like the picture, you may see a duck but if you look closely you can see a rabbit. Literature is an art of writing. It is either based on reality or fiction. It help's ones mind develop imagination and express emotions.


I am an ECE student and literature would help me collect informations that I need. It would develop my imagination as I defined literature earlier. I'm not really fond of books but I love to create my own story because I have a wide imagination. Just like how an engineer should be, creative.

What is literature and why is it important?

"Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become." - C.S Lewis, a British scholar and novelist.

Literature is the art of written works. Literally translated, the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from Latin littera letter), and therefore the academic study of literature is known as Letters (as in the phrase "Arts and Letters"). In Western culture the most basic written literary types include fiction and nonfiction.
As stated in the quotation by C.S. Lewis, literature not only describes reality but also adds to it. Yes, literature is not merely a depiction of reality; it is rather a value-addition. Literary works are portrayals of the thinking patterns and social norms prevalent in society. They are a depiction of the different facets of common man's life. Classical literary works serve as a food for thought and a tonic for imagination and creativity. Exposing an individual to good literary works, is equivalent to providing him/her with the finest of educational opportunities. On the other hand, the lack of exposure to classic literary works is equal to depriving an individual from an opportunity to grow as an individual.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html