What is Literature and How Literature Shaped Me?

Hello Everyone, 😊

This blog is written as part of a task assigned by Prof. Dilip Barad. In this post, I will share my understanding of the question: "What is literature?", reflect on how literature has shaped me, and present my own metaphor for literature.

What is Literature?

If we go according to definitions, literature is the art of written or spoken expression that reflects human thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It includes different forms like stories, poems, plays, and essays, which can entertain, educate, and inspire people. Literature helps us understand different cultures, history, and ideas while also allowing writers to express their creativity and perspectives on life. It connects people across time and places, making it an important part of human civilization.

According to scholars, literature is often defined as a body of written works that have artistic or intellectual value, conveying deep meanings through language. It is not just about storytelling but also about preserving traditions, questioning societal norms, and exploring the human condition. Whether it is a novel that makes us feel emotions, a poem that captures beauty in words, or a play that brings social issues to light, literature serves as a powerful medium of expression. It continues to evolve with time, shaping and reflecting the world around us.

I used to think that literature was just a collection of stories and poems, something meant only for writers and poets a world far removed from everyday people like me. I believed it was a field only for a select few, and not really connected to the common life. However, as I started exploring literature more deeply, I realized that it is much more than that.

For me, literature is like a window into the lives of many people. It doesn't only tell simple stories; it captures the full range of human experience. Every story reflects everyday life it records the way people lived, the time they lived in, and the unique challenges and joys of their lives. When I read literature, I feel like I’m peeking into the history and culture of a particular era, understanding how people thought, felt, and acted during that time.

What truly changed my perspective is that literature is not just about fantasy or far-away tales. It holds history, emotion, and even a bit of philosophy in its pages. It shows me how people expressed their feelings and ideas, and how they used words to make sense of the world around them. It made me understand that literature is a way of capturing history not just the dates and events, but the very emotions, the struggles, and the dreams that define a period.

Moreover, I learned that literature is for everyone. It isn’t reserved for an elite group of people; it is a powerful tool that anyone can use to express themselves and understand others. No matter who you are or where you come from, literature can offer a place for you to find your voice or to connect with the voices of those who came before you.

For me, literature also serves as an escape. In the midst of the harsh realities of everyday life, diving into a good book has become a way to find solace and inspiration. It is a corner of my life where I can take a break, reflect, and see the world from different perspectives.

So I can tell that literature is not just a collection of simple stories or poems, it is a rich, living record of human life. It captures history, emotion, and thought, and it is a means of expression and escape that is available to everyone. This personal journey through literature has shown me that it is a vital part of understanding both myself and the wider world around me.

How Literature Shaped Me?

At first, I was an immature person who thought I had been engaged with literature for only a few years during my studies. But as I look back on my life, I realize that this is not the case. Literature did not enter my life only after I started school; from childhood, we are all surrounded by literature. We are born into stories, live among them, and create our own narratives.

Early Childhood: 

I, too, was born with a love for stories. As a child, I was fascinated by listening to them. Whenever I got the chance, I preferred to hear people's stories. I would always request my family members or anyone nearby to tell me stories. I also had a habit of asking too many questions, which sometimes irritated people. However, those who answered my questions properly earned my lifelong gratitude.

I still remember visiting my maternal grandparents' home and listening to their stories. One of the stories I recall was about a pot and the struggles of poor people. This story made me realize, even as a child, that there were people in the world facing immense hardships.

My friends and I used to dance to 'Abhinay Geet' (songs that involve singing, acting, and dancing). We would sing songs like:

આપણા સમાજમાં દીકરીના દાન, ઓછા છે રે એના માન,

મને આભલે ચમકતો ચાંદલો ગમે,

હું ને મારી બહેનપણી બંને મહેંદી લેવા ગ્યાં તા,

and many more, without realizing the true meaning of the lyrics.

Early Schooling:

As I grew up and started school, my teachers introduced us to interesting stories, poems, and rhymes. When my teacher narrated stories, I imagined everything as if it were real, shaping my imagination in a way I was unaware of.

How could I forget cartoons and animations? They played a significant role in shaping my mind, introducing me to a world different from reality. At that time, I was so naive that I believed these fictional events were happening somewhere on Earth. I could not differentiate between reality and imagination. The cartoons that captured my attention included Doraemon, Disney’s Sofia, Tangled, Snow White, Toy Story, Zig and Sharko, Pirates, Shinchan, Thomas & Friends, Noddy, Shaun the Sheep, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Dora the Explorer, Chhota Bheem, Little Krishna, Roll No. 21, Ninja Hattori-kun, Hagimaru, Bob the Builder, Pokémon, Oswald, Pink Panther, Richie Rich, Mr. Bean (both cartoon and show), Finding Nemo, and Barbie's animated movies.

Kathas:

When I was a little child, my family insisted that I go with them to Katha, so I used to go with them. At first, I really thought it was boring, but as I kept going, I started finding the stories interesting. Whenever I came across a story I liked, I would tell it to my mother again. That’s how it helped me, I was able to imagine the stories better.

On every occasion or festival, there is some Vrat Katha, and since it needs to be read by someone literate, it was always me who had to read it. This also helped me understand how relationships work, how people get stuck in their lives, and how they seek help to escape from the harsh realities they face.

Television:

Another thing is that I used to watch soap operas with my mom and my neighbor aunties. Serials like Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, Sasural Simar Ka, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, Ramayana, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, CID, Jodha Akbar, Jhansi Ki Rani Lakshmibai, Maharana Pratap, Chandragupta Maurya, and Razia Sultana were part of my daily routine.

At first, watching these shows was just entertainment, but now, when I look back, I realize how much they influenced me. I can now understand how soap operas work, they mostly focus on saas-bahu drama and sometimes show completely unrealistic things, but that’s just for entertainment. However, the historical ones always attracted me the most. I have always been interested in knowing about the lives of emperors and the history connected to them. Watching these shows really helped me understand history better and how the reign of one emperor affected the surroundings.

In Mid school:  

With a mind filled with stories, I received an assignment in 7th grade from our Hindi teacher. We had to find 30 stories where animals saved human lives or helped people. At that time, I did not have a smartphone or enough resources, so I decided to write my own stories. For the first time, I attempted to write 30 short stories. This experience was entirely new to me, and my teacher appreciated my work, which gave me confidence. My mother also motivated me to continue writing.

I then studied Gujarati, Hindi, and English stories and poems, which deepened my interest in literature. One of my favorite Gujarati chapters was Sandh Nathyo, the first feminist story I encountered. Another was Venu, which depicted the emotional bond between humans and animals. In Ichhakaka, a story from Purak Vachan, I learned about a marginalized character who used intelligence to survive natural calamities. I also enjoyed folktales and folk songs the most. Stories like Post Office depicted the emotional state of parents and the role of children in their lives. Chhakdo taught me how humans connect with non-living things, as the protagonist, Gilo, relied solely on his vehicle.

In Hindi literature, I read the poem Urmila by Umashankar Joshi, which highlighted the neglected character of Urmila from the epic. Vishaya, a Khand Kavya, depicted how an intelligent woman saved Chandrahas’s life. Nalakhyan narrated the story of King Nal and Princess Damayanti, and Himalaya no Pravas introduced me to travel stories.

Sanskrit literature fascinated me with its new language and moral stories from Panchatantra by Vishnu Sharma and Hitopadesh by Narayan Pandit. Learning Nyaya shaped my thinking from different perspectives.

In B.A.:

Entering college with English as my major, I encountered works like The Bluest Eye, which taught me about marginalized characters' pain, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, my favorite sci-fi novel. Tughlaq by Girish Karnad showed how political writings convey deeper meanings, while Othello introduced me to voyage stories. The Namesake helped me understand identity struggles between cultures. La Belle Dame Sans Merci: A Ballad fueled my imagination with fantasy, and numerous short stories shaped my thought process.

In B.Ed.:

During my B.Ed. program, literature became an educational tool. Teaching lessons from textbooks and supplementary readers required me to analyze literature from a teacher's perspective, connecting it with students' prior knowledge.

In M.A.:

In my Master's program, I deeply understood literature’s significance. Works like Macbeth showcased the impact of greed, while Frankenstein strengthened my interest in sci-fi. Pride and Prejudice reflected societal marriage norms. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner immersed me in supernatural themes. Hard Times depicted industrial England’s struggles, and Jude the Obscure revealed class and caste discrimination.

Postcolonial studies reshaped my thoughts on colonial influence, while cultural studies helped me analyze identity and societal norms. Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh made me reflect on climate change and migration. Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat highlighted societal corruption. Petals of Blood by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o exposed post-independence struggles, and The Joys of Motherhood questioned the burden of motherhood.

The Only Story was a benchmark for changing my perspective. At first, I saw it as a love story, but later, I realized it was much more, it explored human suffering and philosophical layers that gave me new ways to look at life. All of this was only possible with the help of our teachers, who constantly guided me in understanding literature and how it is deeply connected to our daily lives. Whether visible in its textual form or embedded in ideas, behaviors, and subconscious thoughts, literature is always with us.

Thus, literature has profoundly shaped me, broadening my perspectives and transforming my understanding of the world. Literature has not only enriched my inner world but also transformed the way I perceive and interact with the external world. From childhood stories and cartoons that sparked my imagination to academic studies that refined my critical thinking, literature has shaped my identity, values, and understanding of society.

Through literature, I have learned to process my thoughts more clearly, improving my writing in poetry, shayaris, and reflections. Though I’m still working on storytelling, I am gradually understanding its art. There are fragmented pieces of ideas all around me, and I am still in the process of learning how to collect and express them in a proper form.

My Metaphor for literature:

Anyway Door:

For me, literature has always been like Doraemon’s Anywhere Door.

Some people might be aware of it, while others may not, so let’s first understand what the Anywhere Door is. The Anywhere Door, also known as the Dokodemo Door in Japanese, is a popular teleportation device from the Doraemon manga series. This pink door serves as a portal, allowing users to travel to any location of their choice. To select a destination, users can either speak into the door or attach a photo of a person or place, with the door determining the location based on the image provided. Once the user passes through, the portal at the departing end disappears upon closing the door on the other side. To ensure privacy, the door can also be locked to prevent others from following.

The Anywhere Door holds significant popularity in the Doraemon series and has been featured in several movies. Its origin and history are explored in the 2013 film Doraemon: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum. Additionally, in Nobita and the Kingdom of Clouds, the door’s functionality extends beyond teleportation; by tampering with the doorknob, it can temporarily function as a time machine.

Just as the Anywhere Door enables someone to step from one place to another in an instant, literature allows my mind to transcend space and time. I may be physically sitting in Bhavnagar, but the moment I open a book, I find myself walking through the bustling streets of London, exploring the ancient temples of Kyoto, or sailing across stormy seas with a daring crew.

For me, literature is like the Anywhere Door, a magical gateway that transports me beyond the physical limits of my surroundings. However, what differentiates literature from the actual features of the Anywhere Door is its limitless nature. The Anywhere Door is confined to physical travel in the same time period, moving only the body from one place to another. In contrast, literature enables the mind to journey through imagination, ideas, and thoughts. It is not restricted by time or space. Through literature, one can travel not just to different places but also across time, into the past or the future. It even allows for journeys beyond our universe, opening portals to entirely new worlds, parallel universes, or imagined realms through the power of imagination.

One of the most fascinating aspects of literature is how effortlessly it transports me. When I read Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh, I wasn’t just reading about Deen Datta’s journey, I was with him. I could feel the humid air of the Sundarbans, experience the chaos of Los Angeles, and vividly picture the sinking beauty of Venice. It felt as though I had traveled alongside him, experiencing every sight, sound, and emotion firsthand. Similarly, while reading The Only Story by Julian Barnes, I found myself traveling through Paul Roberts’ memories, moving with him to the places he visited and feeling his emotions.

I have experienced this same magic with so many other books. While reading Pride and Prejudice, I felt as though I was in the grand estates of England, overhearing the witty exchanges between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Literature has given me the privilege of stepping into different cultures, exploring various time periods, and understanding the minds of people I could never meet in real life. Through literature, I can also experience the struggles people face, gaining insight into issues that go beyond my personal experiences.

Beyond just travel and exploration, literature has profoundly shaped the way I think and feel. It has given me a deeper sense of empathy as I have lived the lives of countless characters, felt their struggles, and understood their emotions. It has also helped me refine my thoughts and express them more clearly. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I find solace in writing, whether it's a poem, a shayari, or a short story. Though I am still learning how to structure stories, shape narratives, and build worlds with words, I am beginning to understand the process and enjoy the journey of creative expression.

Just as Doraemon’s Anywhere Door is a tool that allows Nobita to escape or reach his destination instantly, literature serves as a powerful tool for exploration, understanding, and self-expression. Whether one reads or writes, literature has the ability to transport the mind beyond physical boundaries, allowing a person to experience different places, times, emotions, and perspectives. As I continue to engage with literature, both as a reader and a budding writer, I hope to one day create stories that resonate deeply with others. Perhaps my words will become an Anywhere Door for someone else, taking them to places they’ve never been and helping them feel things they never expected.

Conclusion:

In nutshell, literature has profoundly shaped my growth as both a person and a thinker. It has taught me empathy, expanded my imagination, and nurtured my creative expression. Through literature, I’ve come to realize that it is not merely a reflection of the world but a gateway to exploring different realities, perspectives, and ideas. Just like Doraemon’s Anywhere Door, literature allows me to transcend boundaries, whether physical, emotional, or cultural, opening my mind to endless possibilities. As I continue to engage with literature, I look forward to further exploring the realms of stories, histories, and dreams, and hopefully, one day, my own words will inspire others as much as those of the writers who have shaped me. Literature, in all its forms, will always be a guiding light in my journey of self-expression and understanding the world around me.

References:

Barad, Dilip. "Literature: What, Why and How." Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 12 Mar. 2016, https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2016/03/literature-what-why-and-how.html.