Why do we study literature? Functions of Literature

 FUNCTIONS / AIMS OF LITERATURE

Why do we study literature?

The function of science is to make human life more comfortable by inventing new gadgets and by bringing in new innovations in technology. The function of philosophy is to make human life better and ideal by teaching moral lessons and expressing philosophical ideas about life. In the same manner, when we study literature we must also know what the important functions or aims of literature are. Various critics have tried to discuss different functions of literature. The critics like Plato, Aristotle, Longinus, John Dryden, Matthew Arnold, T. S. Eliot and others have given different theories regarding the functions of literature. But primarily there are four broad theories as discussed under:

1. TO TEACH:

Literature has the power to teach the readers. The great Greek philosopher Plato believed that the main function of literature is to convey some moral messages to the society. Literature makes the society a better society. It has the power to touch and appeal human mind and heart. While reading literature, we receive some good moral philosophical ideas knowingly or unknowingly. Literature takes the readers and society to the right direction. For example, ‘Bhagwad Geeta‘, ‘Bible’, ‘Paradise Lost’, ‘Old Man and the Sea’ and other works display high serious philosophical and inspirational thoughts. Mark the following lines of Robert Frost's famous poem ‘Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening’:

"Th woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep."

Above inspirational lines infuse in the readers more energy and vitality to live his life.

2. TO PLEASE:

Literature originated thousands of years ago. In those times, the primitive man used to sing songs and dance along. These ancient songs used to provide entertainment or pleasure to them. Hence “pleasing the reader” has always been one of the major functions of literature. 

Aristotle who was the famous disciple of Plato rejected Plato's idea of teaching moral lessons to the readers. Aristotle strongly believed that the prime function of literature is to please the readers. He said that the writer creates an imaginative world. Imaginative literature provides us an escape from the hard realities of life. It gives us an opportunity to relieve ourselves from our problems and oddities. This gives us the feeling of relaxation and this relaxation leads to pleasure.

3. TO MOVE:

Longinus who lived during the 1st or 3rd century AD had a different opinion regarding the function of literature. He believed that true literature has the power to move the readers, to transport the readers psychologically from one place to the other. Literature transports us from our real life and world into the imaginative life and world of the author. Once the reader is moved into that imaginative world then and then only he gets pleasure or receives moral lessons from that work of art. So according to Longinus, “teaching and pleasing the reader” are the secondary functions of literature.

4. ART FOR ART'S SAKE:

However some critics believe that literature has no function at all. They believe in the dictum, "Art for art's sake". They argue that when the author writes poetry, drama or novel he does not keep the readers in his mind. He writes for his own satisfaction and pleasure. Walter Pater, a Victorian critic and Oscar Wilde, a poet of the 19th century supported this theory.

CONCLUSION:

In this way, we may summarize the whole discussion by saying that literature has the power to teach and convey serious philosophical thoughts. The element of imagination and other poetic and artistic devices provide entertainment and it delights the reader. True literature also moves the reader and provides an escape from this real life for a while.

Click to watch a video lecture.