Major 5

 Name: Gohil priyaba siddhrajsinh 

sub: major 5

College: Maharani Shree Nandkuvarba mahila arts and commerce college

Date-15/10

Major 5 Assignment 

🌟Home assignment🌟

➡️An Introduction to the Study of Literature

A,“the continuous life, or national spirit in it”

, and, b. “the varying phases

of that continuous life or, the ways in which it embodies and expresses the

changing spirit of successive age.”

Hudson clarifies the notion of the national literature. He says that national

literature is not the chronological account of the men, belonging to the particular

geographical area, who wrote in the same language, with critical analysis of

their defects and merits, and some description of the literary schools and

traditions or literary taste and fashions of the age. But the national literature is

“the progressive revelation, age by age, of a nation's mind and character.”

History of any nation’s literature is “the record of the unfolding of that nation’s

genius and character under one of its most important forms of literature.”

Hudson notes that a writer may vary from the other writers of his age but he has

many things in common with others because all the writers have the same

national spirit in their works. Hudson talks of the Greek and the Hebrew spirit.

The word ‘spirit’ here denotes the mind and character of the people of a

particular nation. The Greek works reveal to us the mind and character of the

Greek people, whereas the Hebrew works show the mind and character of the

Hebrew people.

Hudson believes that the historical study of the national literature is a form of

travel. It makes you familiar with other people, their customs, their culture and

their society. It enables us to move freely among the minds of other races. It also

gives us the power of travelling in time. By the historical study of the national

literature, we become familiar not only with the minds of other races, but also

with the minds of other epochs.Literature is not just an individual expression of

creativity, but also a social product that reflects and shapes the society and

culture in which it is produced. Literature serves as a reflection of the beliefs,

values, and concerns of a particular society and also plays a role in shaping

them.

Literature as a Social Product

1. Literature Reflecting Society

Firstly, literature reflects the social context in which it is produced. Writers

often draw inspiration from the social, cultural, and political events of their time

and use their work to comment on and criticise them. For example, the literature

produced during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States reflects the

experiences of African Americans and the struggle for racial equality.

Secondly, literature can shape the society in which it is produced. By portraying

characters, situations, and themes that resonate with readers, literature has the

power to influence how people view themselves and their society. For example,

literature can challenge societal norms and prejudices by portraying characters

who defy them, and in doing so, encourage .

🌟Class Assignment 🌟

WHAT IS LITERATURE?

The word literature derived from the Latin term Literal which means letter. According to

Webster, "Literature is anything that is printed, as long as it is related to the ideas and

feelings of people, whether it is true, or just a product of one's imagination."

"Literature is defined as books and other written works, especially those considered to have

creative or artistic merit or lasting values."

By studying literature, we travel to other realms and times through the texts we read. We

understand our own culture and others'. Importantly, we learn to consider multiple

perspectives and understand the complexity of human nature.

For example - Ramayana and Mahabharata, Bahubali and Mangal Pandey.

● The Nature and Elements of Literature

Literature is composed of those books, and of those books only, which, in the first place, by

reason of their subject-matter and their mode of treating it, are of general human interest;

and in which, in the second place, the element of form and the pleasure which form gives

are to be regarded as essential. A piece of literature differs from a specialised treatise on

astronomy, political economy, philosophy, or even history, in part because it appeals, not to a

particular class of readers only, but to men and women as men and women; and in part

because, while the object of the treatise is simply to impart knowledge, one ideal end of the

piece of literature, whether it also imparts knowledge or not, is to yield aesthetic satisfaction

by the manner in which it handles its theme.

What is literature? What makes literature 'literature in a true sense? What is the relationship

between literature and life?

WH Hudson's tome, An Introduction to the Study of Literature, is a primary and significant

work that defines literature and makes students of literature aware of how they should study

literature. The very opening of the first chapter, entitled "Some Ways of Studying Literature"

draws a boundary line between the books of literature in literary sense and books which

cannot be regarded as literature and defines literature.

Hudson says that the word literature is loosely used in everyday communication. In common

sense, literature means whatever that is written or printed. It is really difficult to differentiate

literature from mere documents. There are some books such as railway guides or manuals

of cookery which provide information about some specific subjects, whereas some books

like The Paradise Lost or Sartor and Resartus appeal to our heart. He says that the critic like

Charles Lamb does not consider works of Hume, Gibbon, and. Josephus as literature,

whereas the critic like Hallam considers even the books of theology or medicine as literature.

So there is no concrete criterion for making true literature different from mere writings.

Having confronted this difficulty, Hudson gives three criteria that make literature 'literature' in

true sense. These three features are:

1. General Human Interest

This refers to the portrayal of essential human experiences magnetising all irrespective of

time, age, and place. The work of literature does not appeal to a particular mass of the

people of a particular era, but touches the hearts of all from whatever corner of the world. A

work of literature is not gender-biassed or time bound; it appeals to young and old, literate or

illiterate. Thus a work of literature always has subject-matter of general human interest,

whereas mere writing is useful to a particular group of people and is always time bound.

2. Element of Form

Hudson is of the opinion that element of form is an essential factor that constitutes literature.

Mere writing does have a particular form but this type of form does not provide artistic

pleasure, whereas form of literary work pleases the hearts of readers. In poetic form the use

of rhyming schemes, metres and figurative language makes reading pleasant. Form of

literary work changes from writer to writer (except fourteen lines of sonnet), on other hand

mere writing has fixed format. Thus a work of literature has an element of form which imparts

pleasure.

3. Aesthetic Pleasure

The word 'aesthetic' denotes: a. innovative, complex use of language and form, b. artistic

unity, c. use of literary techniques, and, d. lack of obvious political content. A work of

literature is mostly created on the precept of "art for art's sake" which means art does not

have to serve any function except giving pleasure. Literature's primary function is to give

pleasure, whereas a mere piece of writing aims at providing information. Aesthetic pleasure

is a hallmark of good literature.

Thus. Hudson makes it clear that these three factors make literature, 'literature'. He rightly

says, "Literature is composed of those, and those books only, which, in the first place, by the

reason of their subject-matter and their mode of treating it, are of general human interest."

On the basis of these criteria, he defines literature in this way -

"Literature is the vital record of what men have seen in life, what they have experienced of it,

what they have thought and felt about these aspects of it which have the most immediate

and enduring interest for all of us. It is thus fundamentally an expression of life through the

medium of language."

This definition of literature makes the relationship between literature and life clear. Hudson

says, "A great book grows directly out of life; in reading it we are brought into large, close,

and fresh relations with life; and in that fact lies the final explanation of its power." Literature

comes out of human life; it reflects the life of the era in which it is produced. Literature is

nothing else but an important record of what men have perceived in the world. In literature,

the writer artistically reports his experiences of life; he gives words to those interesting

incidents of life which have general human interest. Literature is an artistic expression of the

best that is known and thought in the world. It is a record of man's dreams and ideals, his

failures and achievements, his disappointments and pleasures; his motives and passions,and his experiences and observations. As literature is a product of life, while reading it we

are brought in large, close, and fresh revelation of most enduring aspects of life.

To conclude, we can say that Hudson believes that literature is the literary product of life.

Thus, in the opening of the first chapter, he defines literature, gives concrete criteria that

make literature and finally he convinces us to believe that there is a direct relation between

literature and life.

Classification of Literature: The classification of literature into genres and

forms is not arbitrary but rooted in these fundamental impulses. Each genre-whether poetry,

drama, narrative, or descriptive prose emphasises different aspects of the human

experience based on these impulses.

1. Overlap and Complexity: Even though we categorise literature into

types, they often mix together because life itself is complex. A story might have both

emotions and vivid descriptions, reflecting the richness of human experience. This overlap

reflects the multifaceted nature of human experience and ensures that literature remains rich

and diverse.

2. Purpose and Audience: Literature serves the dual purpose of allowing writers to share

their experiences and emotions while also engaging and resonating with readers. It creates

a dialogue between writer and audience, where both parties find meaning and connection

through the written word.

3. Evolution and Interest in Literature: it suggests that understanding these impulses not

only explains the evolution of different literary forms but also illuminates why readers are

drawn to specific genres. Readers seek literature that aligns with their own impulses for

self-expression, human connection, imagination, and appreciation of beauty.

In the study of literature, it is important to recognize the consistent presence of certain

elements in all literary works. Firstly, literature draws upon the raw material provided by life

itself, forming the foundation for poems, essays, dramas, and novels. Secondly, the author

shapes this raw material into a particular form of literary art through four key elements: the

intellectual element, which encompasses the writer's thoughts on the subject; the emotional

element, which conveys the feelings the subject evokes and aims to stimulate in the reader,

the element of imagination, which involves the intense vision and creativity that bring the

subject to life; and finally, the technical element, which includes the principles of order,

symmetry, beauty, and effectiveness necessary for composing and styling the work. These

elements combine to create the substance, vitality, and finished form of any piece of literature.

🌟Essay🌟

 ●Essay on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj●

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was one of the greatest rulers and warriors in Indian history. He was the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India and is remembered for his bravery, leadership, and strong sense of justice. Shivaji Maharaj’s life was full of courage, devotion, and determination, which made him a symbol of pride for all Indians.

Shivaji Maharaj was born on 19 February 1630 at the Shivneri Fort near Pune, Maharashtra. His father, Shahaji Bhosale, was a Maratha general in the Deccan Sultanate, and his mother, Jijabai, was a deeply religious and strong woman who played a major role in shaping Shivaji’s character. From a young age, Jijabai taught him the values of courage, honesty, and devotion to his motherland. She also inspired him with the stories of great Indian kings and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Shivaji Maharaj showed exceptional leadership and bravery even as a young boy. He gathered a group of loyal friends and soldiers and started capturing forts from enemy rulers. One of his early victories was the capture of the Torna Fort at the age of just 16. This marked the beginning of the Maratha Empire. Shivaji’s military tactics were unique and ahead of his time. He used guerrilla warfare, speed, and surprise attacks to defeat much larger and stronger enemies. His deep knowledge of the local geography gave him an edge in every battle.

Shivaji Maharaj built a strong navy to protect India’s western coast from foreign invasions. He constructed many sea forts like Sindhudurg and Vijaydurg to safeguard his kingdom from the Portuguese and British. This showed his vision and understanding of maritime power, which was rare among Indian rulers of that era.

In 1674, Shivaji was formally crowned as the Chhatrapati (Emperor) of the Maratha Empire at Raigad Fort. His coronation marked the beginning of a new era of self-rule and independence. As a ruler, he was fair, just, and kind. He respected all religions and treated women with great honor. He abolished unfair taxes and focused on the welfare of his people. Shivaji Maharaj also built an efficient administration system based on justice and equality.

One of the most inspiring qualities of Shivaji Maharaj was his love for his motherland and his people. He always fought to protect his kingdom from the Mughal Empire and other invaders. Despite facing many challenges, he never gave up and continued to inspire his soldiers with his courage and patriotism.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj passed away on 3 April 1680, but his legacy continues to inspire millions. His life teaches us the values of bravery, leadership, and self-respect. Even today, he is remembered not only as a great warrior but also as a visionary king who dreamed of a strong and independent India.

                      Thank you.

In conclusion, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a true hero and an ideal ruler who dedicated his entire life to the service of his people and his country. His courage, wisdom, and patriotism make him one of the greatest leaders in Indian history.