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| Home > What is Literature?
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| | What is Literature?
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The word literature is derived from Latin littera meaning `an individual` written character (letter) and literature is literally `acquaintance with letters as expressed in Oxford English dictionary. Literature comprises of texts of prose - both fiction and non-fiction drama and poetry. In many parts of the world such texts can be oral as well and include the genres of epic, legend, myth, ballad and the folk tale.
Generally one can equate literature as collection of poetry, prose and plays that revolve around a particular topic. The Hebrew Bible Persian Sahnaina, Beowulf, Illiad, Odyssey and even the American constitution fall within the definition of literature. The term literature has broad applications and can include images and sculptures as well as letters. The hieroglyphics can also be included in this genre as also the inscriptions or the modern day digital media. Illustrated stories, hypertexts, cane paintings and inscribed monuments have all at some time or the other pushed the boundaries of literature.
 The various characters of literature have been emphasized by different historical periods. Early works were often didactic and had overt and covert religious purpose. Middle Ages onwards saw the Romantic era gain momentum whereas the Age of Reason manufactured nationalistic epics and philosophical traits. Romanticism was at its best expressed in people folk literature. The 19th century brought forth realism and naturalism in literature and the 20th century carried it a step further when literature became more symbotic and psychological insight in the delineation of development of character took precedence.
Literature refers to a whole body of literary work, often culture specific whereas literature can refer to any form of writing as in prose or verse. When we talk of literature it must imply a work of substantial intellectual caliber as for e.g. Tolstoy`s `War and Peace` literature on the other hand connotes to any form of literary work. However this demarcation is rather subjective and often debatable.
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