What is literature for me ? 

What is Literature for me ? [Before Post-graduation] 

What is Literature for me ? [After Post-graduation] 

Literature has been more than just an academic pursuit for me—it has been a transformative journey that has shaped my perspectives, intellectual depth, and personal identity. As I transitioned from a master's student to a postgraduate scholar, the diverse literary traditions I engaged with have profoundly influenced my worldview, critical thinking, and understanding of human nature.

Studying African and British literature introduced me to narratives of colonialism, identity, resistance, and cultural heritage. African literature, through the works of Chinua Achebe, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o , , exposed me to the lasting impact of colonialism and the power of storytelling in reclaiming history. British literature, from Shakespeare’s plays (Hamlet, King Lear) to the novels of Virginia Woolf (Mrs Dalloway), George Orwell (1984), and Charles Dickens (Hard times), deepened my appreciation for literary evolution and philosophical thought. These texts have taught me the significance of voice, identity, and historical consciousness in literature.

My engagement with academic integrity, digital humanities, and interdisciplinary studies has further broadened my approach to literature. Exploring digital humanities and its intersections with literature, inspired by scholars , has allowed me to see literature as an evolving field, integrating technology, ethics, and cultural studies.

Delving into existentialism, absurdism, freedom, and self-reliance has profoundly shaped my philosophical outlook. Jean-Paul Sartre (Being and Nothingness) and Albert Camus (The Myth of Sisyphus, The Stranger) introduced me to the struggle of human existence and the search for meaning in an indifferent world. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essays (Self-Reliance, The American Scholar) reinforced the importance of individualism and intellectual independence, shaping my understanding of personal freedom and philosophical inquiry.

And in moments of solitude, when I have felt alone, Henry David Thoreau has been my guide. His reflections in Walden, particularly in the chapter “Solitude,” taught me that being alone does not mean being lonely. Thoreau’s embrace of nature and self-sufficiency reassured me that solitude can be a source of deep introspection, creativity, and peace rather than isolation. His words have encouraged me to find meaning in quiet moments and to appreciate the beauty of self-reflection.

Additionally, exploring literary trends and movements, from Romanticism to Postmodernism, has provided a historical and thematic lens through which to analyze literature. William Wordsworth (Lyrical Ballads) and John Keats (Ode to a Nightingale) demonstrated the beauty of nature and personal reflection in Romanticism, while the postmodernist techniques in Salman Rushdie’s (Midnight’s Children) works have challenged conventional storytelling through fragmentation and metafiction.

Even engaging with contemporary works, such as Chetan Bhagat’s novels (Five Point Someone, Revolution 2020), has been insightful in understanding modern storytelling, popular literature, and the intersection between literature and societal aspirations. While Bhagat’s writing differs from classical literary traditions, it offers a perspective on contemporary youth, ambition, and social mobility in India, enriching my understanding of modern narratives.

Literature has not only equipped me with analytical and critical thinking skills but has also shaped my ability to empathize, question, and engage with the world in a more profound way. As a postgraduate student, I continue to see literature as a lens through which I understand human experiences, cultural shifts, and intellectual debates, making it an integral part of my academic and personal growth.