What is 'Literature? by Peter Widdowson: Summary and Analysis

 

INTRODUCTION:

Peter Widdowson (1948-2018)  was a British literary critic and scholar. His critical essay "What is 'Literature'?" was first published in 1999 in the book "Literature". This essay explores the question of what defines something as "literature." Widdowson argues that the concept of literature is a socially constructed category that is constantly evolving and changing, shaped by historical, cultural, and ideological factors.

MAJOR WORKS OF WIDDOWSON:

Widdowson authored and edited several books throughout his career, including:

1.  "Literature" (1999): Edited by Widdowson, this book is a collection of essays that explore various aspects of literary studies.

2.  "Reading Literature: An Introduction to Critical Theory" (2001) - In this book, Widdowson provides an introduction to the main schools of literary theory, including formalism, structuralism, and post-structuralism.

3.  "Writing and Difference: A Student's Guide to Jacques Derrida" (2001) - This book provides an accessible introduction to the work of the influential philosopher Jacques Derrida.

4.  "On Literature and Science: Essays, Reflections, Provocations" (2005) - In this book, Widdowson explores the relationship between literature and science, arguing that these two fields are not necessarily opposed but can complement each other in various ways.

5.  "Dismantling the Gothic: Theory and Practice in the Romantic Novel" (2014) - In this book, Widdowson provides a critical analysis of the Gothic genre in the context of Romanticism, arguing that it reflects larger cultural anxieties and fears.

 

THE ESSAY ‘WHAT IS LITERATURE?’

·      Widdowson begins the essay by tracing the history of the term "literature," which originally referred to any form of writing. Over time, however, the term has come to be associated with certain types of writing that are considered to have aesthetic or artistic value. Widdowson notes that this shift in meaning has been influenced by a range of factors, including changes in education, the rise of the novel, and the emergence of new media forms.

·      Widdowson then goes on to examine various attempts to define literature, arguing that none of these definitions is completely satisfactory. For example, he criticizes formalist definitions that focus on the internal features of a text, arguing that this approach fails to account for the social and cultural context in which literature is produced and consumed. He is also not satisfied with the definitions that rely on notions of "greatness" or "value," arguing that these terms are highly subjective and reflect the biases of particular social and cultural groups.

·      Instead of offering a single, definitive definition of literature, Widdowson proposes that we should view literature as a contested and evolving category that is shaped by social, cultural, and ideological factors. He suggests that we should approach literature as a complex and dynamic phenomenon that requires careful analysis and interpretation.

·      According to him, literary texts are often associated with imaginative or fictional writing, but they can also take the form of non-fiction, poetry, drama, or other genres.

KEY CONCEPTS OF ‘WHAT IS LITERATURE’:

1. Literature is a complex and multi-layered concept that is difficult to define. Widdowson argues that there is no single, universally accepted definition of literature, and that it can be understood in a variety of ways.
2. Literature is not just a collection of texts, but a set of practices and cultural activities that involve reading, writing, interpretation, and discussion. It is not just the texts themselves that are important, but also the social and cultural contexts in which they are produced and consumed.
3. Literature is closely tied to language and the ways in which it is used. Widdowson emphasizes that literature is not just about the content of texts, but also about the ways in which language is used to create meaning and convey emotions and ideas.
4. Literature can be seen as a form of art, and as such it has aesthetic qualities that are important to appreciate and understand. Widdowson argues that literature should be studied not just for its content, but also for its form and style.
5. Literature is not fixed or static, but is constantly evolving and changing over time. Widdowson suggests that we need to be open to new forms of literature and new ways of understanding it, rather than being bound by traditional or established approaches.

CONCLUSION:

In short, Widdowson's essay offers a critical examination of the concept of literature, emphasizing the ways in which it is shaped by historical, cultural, and ideological factors. He encourages readers to approach literature with a critical and reflective mind-set, recognizing that our definitions of literature are always provisional and subject to revision.

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