How Literature Shape Me ? 

How Literature Shaped Me:

My journey with literature hasn’t been a simple or linear one. Like many students, I started with little exposure to literature beyond what was taught in school. But when I began my BA, I discovered a whole new world. Literature became more than just something to read for academic purposes—it turned into a tool for both personal reflection and understanding the world around me.

During my BA, I explored a variety of literary forms, from Gujarati texts to English literature, and this opened my eyes to different perspectives. I began to realize that literature is not just for entertainment, but also a mirror that reflects the complexities of life. One book that had a huge impact on me was The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. When I read it, I was introduced to the interconnected issues of caste, class, and identity. It challenged my earlier, simpler views of society and history, making me realize how deeply these issues shape our lives.

But the real change in my understanding came when I moved to my MA studies. Literature began to feel like more than just a personal experience for me. It became a way to critically analyze the world and question the systems around me. With the help of literary theories like feminism, postcolonialism, and Marxism, I started to look at power structures in society. I realized that literature doesn’t just reflect these structures—it has the power to challenge them and open up new ways of thinking.

A major turning point for me was engaging with literary theory. Before my MA, I thought of literature in a simple way. But after studying different theories—like Derrida’s deconstruction or Althusser’s idea of interpellation—I understood that literature is much more complex. I realized that meaning isn’t fixed and that literature has the power to question dominant beliefs and offer new perspectives.

For example, when I studied feminist literature, my understanding of gender began to change. I started questioning traditional gender roles and how they are portrayed in literature. Works like Wide Sargasso Sea and The Home and the World helped me understand the complexities of women’s experiences in patriarchal societies.

Moreover, literature has deepened my understanding of global issues like colonialism, capitalism, and environmental destruction. Through novels, plays, and films, I’ve been able to see how these issues impact individuals and societies. Literature has expanded my worldview, encouraging me to think critically about the challenges facing our world today.