I think of literature as a "lantern" because it has guided, enlightened, and transformed me. Just as a lantern provides light in darkness, helping us see and understand what is around us, literature has illuminated my life, helping me grow, reflect, and understand the world better.

In my life, this metaphor is absolutely true. Before college, I wasn’t fully aware of how literature shapes our thinking and perception. It was like being in the dark. But as I studied literature, it became the light that guided me to see culture, emotions, and societal values in a new way.

When I started my journey in literature during my undergraduate years, it felt like holding a lantern that revealed life’s hidden truths. For example, Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield taught me about resilience and human endurance in difficult times, while T.P. Kailasam’s The Curse of Karna showed me the complexities of moral choices and loyalty. These works helped me see the deeper layers of human nature, good and bad, and understand how our choices define us.

During my postgraduate studies, this lantern became even more powerful, helping me explore larger social, cultural, and political issues. Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children felt like a lantern uncovering India’s layered history, showing how personal lives connect to national events. Similarly, J.M. Coetzee’s Foe and Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea brought to light the voices of marginalized characters, teaching me that literature can challenge injustice and give a voice to the silenced.

Dr. Dilip Barad’s teachings reinforced this metaphor. He often said that literature is not just for enjoyment but for critical thinking, self-reflection, and understanding society. Just like a lantern doesn’t remove obstacles but helps us see and face them, literature has given me the clarity and courage to question societal norms and think deeply about the world.

Romantic poetry, such as Wordsworth’s works, also beautifully fits this metaphor. Romantic poets reconnect us with nature, and their words feel like a lantern reigniting our love and respect for the natural world. This became especially meaningful to me during our visit to Victoria Park, where literature and nature came together to offer peace and self-awareness.

Studying theories like Derrida’s deconstruction and ecocriticism added more dimensions to this idea. Derrida’s theory helped me see what is hidden in language and thought, much like a lantern shining on shadows. Eco-criticism, on the other hand, reminded me of how literature connects us with the environment and our responsibilities toward it.

On a personal level, literature has also helped me understand myself better. Works like Wide Sargasso Sea helped me think about identity and trauma, while Midnight’s Children made me see the complexities of history and culture. Literature has always been there for me during moments of doubt, providing clarity and comfort.

The lantern metaphor also shows how literature remains timeless and relevant. Just as a lantern adapts to different situations—whether to find a path or offer comfort—literature helps us in many ways. For example, Mahesh Dattani’s Final Solutions helped me understand communal tensions, while Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea shed light on colonialism and gender inequalities. Each piece of literature has been a unique lantern, showing me new truths and ideas.

In conclusion, literature as a "lantern in the dark" perfectly captures its role in my life. It has guided me, helped me grow intellectually and emotionally, and made me more empathetic and aware. Like a lantern, it doesn’t choose the path for me but helps me see it clearly, empowering me to navigate life with courage and purpose. Literature is my constant companion, lighting my way one page at a time.