Summary of What is Literature? | Literary Theory | According to Terry Eagleton| UGC NET English Exam Prep

Main Ideas and Concepts:

• Definition of Literature:

  Eagleton begins by questioning the common definition of Literature as imaginative and fictional writing. He argues that if Literature is limited to fiction, many important works (like essays and historical texts) would be excluded.

• Fluidity of Definitions:

  The definition of Literature is shown to be unstable and subject to change over time and across genres. Eagleton emphasizes that what constitutes Literature can vary based on cultural and historical contexts.

• Russian Formalism:

  The speaker discusses the Russian formalists' claim that Literature is "language made strange," which emphasizes the use of specialized language and devices. Eagleton critiques this idea by questioning whether any text, including popular culture, could qualify as Literature based on this definition.

• Literature as Non-Pragmatic:

  The notion that Literature exists for its own sake and is non-pragmatic is examined. Eagleton points out that many Literary Works have political or practical purposes, challenging the idea of Literature being self-referential.

• Fine Writing:

  The concept of defining Literature as Fine Writing is critiqued for being subjective and culturally constituted. The perception of what constitutes "Fine Writing" can change over time and varies across cultures.

• Value of Literature:

  The value assigned to Literature is portrayed as socially constructed, influenced by readers’ experiences and societal norms. Eagleton illustrates this by discussing an experiment where students rated poems without knowing the authors, showing that value judgments are influenced by ideological training.

Methodology/Instructions:

The speaker encourages viewers to engage with Eagleton's text alongside the video lectures for a deeper understanding. Viewers are invited to post questions in the comments and subscribe to the channel for updates and further discussions.

Speakers/Sources Featured:

• Terry Eagleton: The primary focus of the discussion, as his ideas form the basis of the lecture.
• The Speaker: The individual presenting the lecture, who shares insights and interpretations of Eagleton's work.

Overall, the video serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of defining Literature, emphasizing the importance of understanding Literature as a socially and culturally constructed concept rather than a fixed entity.

Notable Quotes

— 05:26 — « Literature is language made strange. »

— 06:46 — « If it is language made strange, then can you come up with anything in popular culture that would qualify as that? »

— 08:02 — « The value that we assign to literature is it essential, is it contained within the literature, or is it we the readers who assign it some value? »

— 18:22 — « There is no stable definition of literature and that whatever we believe to be literary and literature itself is because of our lived experience. »

Category

Educational

Video