LITSEARCH [Link].
in ISSN 2277-6990 (Print)
R. J. Rees on Why We Study Literature
M. A. Sami Siddiqui
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of English,
JES College, Jalna
I) Meaning and features literature London. He thus establishes the fact that
R.J. Rees is a critic and literary literature expresses feelings and attitudes.
historian of the 20th century. In his book, ' For giving the second quality of
English Literature: An Introduction for literature, Rees compares journalism and
Foreign Readers', he discusses an important literary writings. He says that a journalist
question why we study literature. In the writes of and for his own day. On the other
beginning he talks about the general hand literary writings have permanence.
response. He points out that today science Rees is against the categorization of good
and its study has become more significant. and 'bad' literature. He is of opinion that
He also opines that study of literature cannot literature should be a mirror of human
solve our problems like malnutrition, war, nature. It should be close to life. This
violence, etc. So, literature seems closeness comes out of actual human
unimportant. Then Rees turns to the experience. Again, the quality of this
definition of literature. He gives two experience is more important than its
meanings of the term. In general sense, quantity.
anything that is written is literature. From One more feature of literature is
this point of view, time – tables, catalogs, originality. Rees quotes Shakespeare and
text – books, travel – brochures, Pope and says that being original does not
advertisements, news – items etc. are mean expressing new themes but looking at
literature. In a serious sense, literature is the old ones in a new way. Next to
writing which expresses and communicates originality is craftsmanship. A writer should
feelings and attitudes towards life. Rees give have complete command over the language
the comparison of an account of London he uses. A prose writer should know
from an encyclopedia and a poem about grammar and usage. A poet should know the
Volume III Issue [Link] May- July 2013 Page 46
LITSEARCH [Link] ISSN 2277-6990 (Print)
different verse techniques. At the same time, that literature can be fully enjoyed after
it should be noted that technique is not repeated reading and much thought.
everything. If a person knows the technique But, the best reason for studying
of writing but has no power of imagination; literature is moral education. Rees refers to
he cannot be a good writer. Creative Plato, Sir Philip Sidney and Dr. Samuel
imagination makes literature lively. Apart Johnson in this regard. He says that
from these qualities, good literature also has literature enlarges the reader’s experience of
moral consciousness. life. Though it is not a real experience, it
II) Reasons for studying literature helps one to become a full man. By seeing
Rees then comes to the original the common faults of others, we can learn
question of 'why we study literature'. He what not to do. Like history or philosophy, it
says that we study literature to know about a gives us a better understanding of ourselves
foreign country. He gives the examples of and our fellow beings. Rees calls it an
Shakespeare’s historical plays and novels of important step towards international
D.H. Lawrence in this regard. There are understanding and world peace.
some general reasons of studying literature. III) Dangers of studying literature
In civilized countries people study literature Rees concludes the essay by pointing
to appear cultured or well read. Students out two dangers of studying literature. One
study literature to pass examination. Rees is the habit of thinking of the past. Another
points out that such an aim of studying is the habit of reading books about books
literature is certainly bad because it does not instead of the original text. Thus the essay
improve the imagination of the students or deals with three aspects: meaning and
readers. features literature, reasons for studying
Among some other reasons of literature and dangers of studying literature
studying literature is to seek pleasure. Some
literary works give direct and immediate Reference:
pleasure. Others demand concentrated • Rees, R. J., English Literature: An
reading. The great works of art including Introduction for Foreign Readers,
literature can be enjoyed if we have a desire Macmillan, 1973.
to read them. At each reading, we discover
new pleasures and problems. This shows
Volume III Issue [Link] May- July 2013 Page 47
