How has Literature shaped me?

Readers,

You know me today through my activities, my academic writings or through my posts or as a learner. Well, today whatever I am, solely I am the product of the literature I read. Examining the nature of my thoughts and their origins, I came to know that my way of thinking has changed, and literature had brought to light a new awakening. As far back as I remember, I was a very curious but shy kid during my school days. I was exposed to the world of stories and imaginative tales from the subject called English, where our teacher used to make us learn the English Language with the help of inspiring stories. From then, an interest sparked in me for English language and stories. And today I am here demonstrating my portfolio as part of pursuing Masters in English Language and Literature.

As Julian Barnes observes,

“Does character develop over time? In novels, of course it does: otherwise therewouldn’t be much of a story. But in life? I sometimes wonder. Our attitudes and opinions change, we develop new habits and eccentricities; but that’s something different, more like decoration. Perhaps character resembles intelligence, except that character peaks a little later: between twenty and thirty, say. And after that, we’re just stuck with what we’ve got. We’re on our own. If so, that would explain a lot of lives, wouldn’t it? And also—if this isn’t too grand a word—our tragedy.” (The sense of an Ending)

I too, like a real character have developed over time. I wasn’t so much mature before reading literature seriously. I have observed a change within me. All the echos of literary world are heard whenever I am in dilemma. Back before 3 years I was unable to control my temper, reading literature and surrounding myself with the lives of fictional characters, I came to know about the things I used to do which were awkward in a sense certain things are never expected from a reader. But thanks to my ability to read and grasp all things from books that the world demands.

The journey of reading and studying various books had provided me with ample lessons. It had provided me with a far-sightedness. Back then in my graduation days, I was very childish but today I can say that I have developed a certain kind of maturity because reading literature and cultural studies theories have not only given me a reverence to talent and art works but also lost my reverence for things and people. Earlier I used to easily become a fan of someone but now I really don’t possess that talent anymore. Hence, I try not to become prey to the past Kavisha anymore.

Well, discussing the metaphors of literature, I can relate literature with mirror. The Literature presents the inverted image of society so it can be the reflection(ary) vision of reality. I also believe that Literature acts like an x-ray image of society, as it presents the very dark reality which even cannot be seen through naked eyes. Books like ‘Things Fall Apart’, ‘The Swamp Dwellers’, ‘Midnight’s Children’, presents the dark areas of humanity. Right from the beginning, if I start then the first novel which I had read during my fourth grade was 'The Little Princess' by Francis Hodgeson Burnett, it was an inclusion in our academics from our Principal's side. So it was a fuel for my engine towards literature. The very first text of my graduation was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde it taught me how social consciousness.

“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.”

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

If you ask me to give a metaphor to literature, then I must say literature is like a labyrinth for me. A Labyrinth is a place constructed of or full of intricate passageways and blind alleys a complex of tunnels and chambers. At first, we are very happy to play in the labyrinth but as we dwell more and more into it we feel more and more to get out of the labyrinth and as we get out we again feel to dwell once more there. As I try to read one book and try to comprehend the philosophical depth, I face another difficulty of not settling to that only insight but exploring more and always try to find a way out. But it really seems suffocating at times. It is like the more I roam around literature, the more I feel to know more and the more I know, the more I receive dissatisfaction with society and my reality. I can say that I have not only

"I penetrate deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness."

“We live as we dream--alone....”

-Heart of Darkness

When one is surrounded by books, it becomes difficult for them not to think. One always finds oneself thinking. Similarly, I couldn't resist thinking now and will always be an individual who knows how to think.

This page will find its update with my progress.