LITERATURELITERATURE By Stu Leventhal
To some the definition of literature simply means writing. Others differentiate Literature to mean the fine art or elevated craftsmanship of documented language and communication. For most of us, this translates into; literature is writing with a creative, artistic, element added. To scholars, a simple road sign that says ‘STOP’ cannot be literature nor can the text of a bill board advertising cold medicine nor a how to instruction manual on how to change a flat tire. But there lies the great debate. Who designates what is literature and what is not up to snuff? Is there a set of rules by which we judge and if so where are these sacred scrolls kept? Am I typing literature right now or fine drivel? Prose verses verse, what does it all mean? If it involves letters then it is writing, on that we can almost all agree. Add creativity and you have creative writing! Now we are on a roll. Literature has been defined by many in many different ways. Writing, where art is applied is good enough for most of us but some sticklers say there needs to be an element of learning, teaching or a higher purpose involved. “Literature is written art that has value!” The librarians, critiques and scholastics all scream but then they all differ as to what types of value, how much value and what constitutes value pertaining to the written word in the first place. Prose is generally considered one side of the literary coin. It curtails all writing which resembles the common speech. Now granted the word ‘resembles’ is taken loosely because almost all authors would be ashamed to have the paragraphs they toiled over for weeks equated to casual conversation while waiting at the bus stop. Yet, the other side of the literary coin is verse, which the masses consider poetry. Now we all know there are many different kinds of poetry and some of it resembles prose so the defining difference between the two types of literature has been boiled down to meter. If the words and phrases have a definitive repetitive beat that is distinguishable from normal speech patterns as if they were deliberately crafted into a pattern they are classified as poetic and verse. Some scholars like to label poets as composers as a way of separating them from the herd of authors. Which, may or may not cause even more confusion and squiggly lines drawn in the sand. What is and is not literature as well as what should and should not be considered literature has always been debated and will probably always be debated. Many claim literature is writing that has stood the test of time. Yet plenty claim if a piece of writing is written today and it is good enough, it is worthy of being put immediately onto the same shelf as the confirmed masters of all time. Of course that rarely happens. But, is that because the writers of old were so much wiser than the writers of today? Or, because the critiques and scholars are too nervous, scared and spineless to take such an immediate stand? And so the debating goes on. What do you feel are the traits that represent a piece worthy of being called literature? And, can a young newly discovered author’s work be deemed worthy enough to be stamped literature or is that title for the most part reserved for the seasoned work belonging to the long dead? |
LITERATURE TERMINOLOGY LESSONS 101
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LITERARY SYMBOLISM
By Stu Leventhal
Are Literary critiques seeing something that is not really there when they attribute hidden meanings every time an author mentions the weather is changing in a novel? Are we meant to read between the lines of every great scene, to second guess what our eyes and ears tell us is happening right in front of us on stage, then check or dismiss our feelings that are being evoked? Should we replace our emotion with intellectual scholastic reasoning every time we open a thick book someone has labeled literature? Cannot some scenes simply be enjoyed at face value? And, how does the lay person tell the difference? Is every story a code to be deciphered? Is every journey a life altering quest? Does every black crow in every tale ever written always foretell doom and despair? What is the real merit of literary interpretation and literary criticism? Can the seasons simply convey the time of year a story is taking place or must spring always represent youth and rebirth while winter depicts the onset of death and finality?
Any piece of literature must have first and foremost an engaging tale. Tackling all the great themes the world has ever presented will be meaningless if you don’t entertain. Once a writer has got the entertainment element down pat, authors naturally strive to add value. No one wants their work to be deemed frivolous! People write because they have statements to make, lessons to teach, advice to give, questions to ask and more…
All artists want to be taken seriously. Yes, even Dr. Seuss! But, there are sci-fi writers, mystery writers, poets, lyricists, a humorist, a satirist and their message must be told through their chosen craft. Artists of all kinds are loyal to their art. Many are more loyal to their art than they are to their spouses, families, lovers and friends. Novelists, fictionists, creative scribes of all kinds share a bond to their contemporaries long dead, alive or not even yet born. True writers don’t just write for their readers and fans or pay. True writers write to honor their peers who have come before them. They write to further the craft. They write to pave the way for future generations of writers. So, is symbolism in literature a dying art? I think not.
Is a bowl of fruit painted in water color fine art? It can be. The question is have all the bowls of fruit and flower vases been painted yet or is there still room to display a few more on our museum walls? Did painters stop painting stunning women after Leonardo da Vinci unveiled his ‘Mona Lisa’? Are all great female portrait painters who picked up a paint brush after the Mona Lisa to be deemed plagiarists?
Remember, symbolism is a writing technique and as such it is being refined, modified and its traditional usage challenged constantly by the young minds of new emerging writers all the time. Many authors of today use symbolism in their writing. Names of everything from characters to places have more than one meaning. For instance the name Adam being representative of the first man in the story of ‘Adam and eve’ is often used to represent ‘all of mankind’ in poetry as well as fiction. Naming a female character Joy obviously brings to mind the word ‘happy’. Titles are another writing arena that is ripe with symbolism and probably always will be.
Naturally the good creative writers of today try to steer clear of the clichés of old. When you write about current situations and take on current themes you are going to need up to date symbols in order for anyone to understand the message you are trying to send. Does that mean you will be ridiculed if all your good heroes wear white hats and all your evil people wear black hats? Probably, unless you are writing a comedy skit. Now-a-days, creative writers craft a lot of their symbolism in the more complicated form of long metaphors instead of simple single word symbols like when the color ‘red’ represented blood or ‘roses’ meant love and romance which is kind of considered old hat as well as over worked.
Certainly we need to be able to read a story and evaluate and rate it purely on an entertainment level. But everyone has to agree that there are some tales that have more to them than just their story. Symbolism enhances the story telling. Symbols bring more to the table and add value to a written piece. Symbols make reading more enjoyable because they cut to the chase of the issue accomplishing instantly what could require a long winded narrative. Good literature leaves us with a lasting impression, a feeling, a tone that resonates long after we lay a book down or exit the theater. That is what ultimately determines the merits of literature. Did the piece achieve anything more than simply entertaining us for a moment of time? Did it alter our conscience? A crow is more than just a crow if its appearance alters your mood more than seeing a crow in real life would change your mood. Ask yourself, does a crow making its appearance in a scene get you wondering or put you on alert? If so then it is a good example of an author using symbolism.
Are Literary critiques seeing something that is not really there when they attribute hidden meanings every time an author mentions the weather is changing in a novel? Are we meant to read between the lines of every great scene, to second guess what our eyes and ears tell us is happening right in front of us on stage, then check or dismiss our feelings that are being evoked? Should we replace our emotion with intellectual scholastic reasoning every time we open a thick book someone has labeled literature? Cannot some scenes simply be enjoyed at face value? And, how does the lay person tell the difference? Is every story a code to be deciphered? Is every journey a life altering quest? Does every black crow in every tale ever written always foretell doom and despair? What is the real merit of literary interpretation and literary criticism? Can the seasons simply convey the time of year a story is taking place or must spring always represent youth and rebirth while winter depicts the onset of death and finality?
Any piece of literature must have first and foremost an engaging tale. Tackling all the great themes the world has ever presented will be meaningless if you don’t entertain. Once a writer has got the entertainment element down pat, authors naturally strive to add value. No one wants their work to be deemed frivolous! People write because they have statements to make, lessons to teach, advice to give, questions to ask and more…
All artists want to be taken seriously. Yes, even Dr. Seuss! But, there are sci-fi writers, mystery writers, poets, lyricists, a humorist, a satirist and their message must be told through their chosen craft. Artists of all kinds are loyal to their art. Many are more loyal to their art than they are to their spouses, families, lovers and friends. Novelists, fictionists, creative scribes of all kinds share a bond to their contemporaries long dead, alive or not even yet born. True writers don’t just write for their readers and fans or pay. True writers write to honor their peers who have come before them. They write to further the craft. They write to pave the way for future generations of writers. So, is symbolism in literature a dying art? I think not.
Is a bowl of fruit painted in water color fine art? It can be. The question is have all the bowls of fruit and flower vases been painted yet or is there still room to display a few more on our museum walls? Did painters stop painting stunning women after Leonardo da Vinci unveiled his ‘Mona Lisa’? Are all great female portrait painters who picked up a paint brush after the Mona Lisa to be deemed plagiarists?
Remember, symbolism is a writing technique and as such it is being refined, modified and its traditional usage challenged constantly by the young minds of new emerging writers all the time. Many authors of today use symbolism in their writing. Names of everything from characters to places have more than one meaning. For instance the name Adam being representative of the first man in the story of ‘Adam and eve’ is often used to represent ‘all of mankind’ in poetry as well as fiction. Naming a female character Joy obviously brings to mind the word ‘happy’. Titles are another writing arena that is ripe with symbolism and probably always will be.
Naturally the good creative writers of today try to steer clear of the clichés of old. When you write about current situations and take on current themes you are going to need up to date symbols in order for anyone to understand the message you are trying to send. Does that mean you will be ridiculed if all your good heroes wear white hats and all your evil people wear black hats? Probably, unless you are writing a comedy skit. Now-a-days, creative writers craft a lot of their symbolism in the more complicated form of long metaphors instead of simple single word symbols like when the color ‘red’ represented blood or ‘roses’ meant love and romance which is kind of considered old hat as well as over worked.
Certainly we need to be able to read a story and evaluate and rate it purely on an entertainment level. But everyone has to agree that there are some tales that have more to them than just their story. Symbolism enhances the story telling. Symbols bring more to the table and add value to a written piece. Symbols make reading more enjoyable because they cut to the chase of the issue accomplishing instantly what could require a long winded narrative. Good literature leaves us with a lasting impression, a feeling, a tone that resonates long after we lay a book down or exit the theater. That is what ultimately determines the merits of literature. Did the piece achieve anything more than simply entertaining us for a moment of time? Did it alter our conscience? A crow is more than just a crow if its appearance alters your mood more than seeing a crow in real life would change your mood. Ask yourself, does a crow making its appearance in a scene get you wondering or put you on alert? If so then it is a good example of an author using symbolism.