Literature as a Perception, a literary essay by Sushant Thapa

We feel that literature must always be universal. However, this is not always the case. We want to apply any quotes or ideas by a writer to all situations. Literature can only be a perception applicable to any specific situation. It is not a demerit of literature that it is specific. Being specific increases the focus. It is like looking through a microscope. There is always a context of literature, be it in any genre of literary writing.

Literature has a purpose. Some ideas are to be taken for their essence and are more general to apply to all instances. Morality can be universal in literature. Literature is more dynamic in these aspects.

An idea can mean multiple things as the readers vary. It can be said that when a literary work is being read by multiple readers the level of understanding with which the literary work resonates will be different. We assimilate as we read, i.e., we try to relate it to our already existing ideas. This serves one purpose: it makes us think more creatively or in a new manner because once we understand a literary idea we tend to think differently. It adds to our understanding. Literature is bound to bring changes also and it begins with changing how we think.

The messages in a literary work shouldn’t be unrelatable. It should be understood by the masses and at the same time heighten their level of understanding. I would like to emphasize that thoughts need more analysis, than any other subject matter of importance. We should fight the thoughts with reasoning. Silence has a cost. Most of the new ideas are experimentation. Literature experiments with the thought process and level of reaction of the people, but the primary purpose is either to teach or convey a message.

Albert Camus said that if you want to be philosophical, you should write a novel. Philosophy is not only academic but also how we view life. An idea or insight on how to live a better life is also philosophy because philosophy is the love of wisdom. In the ancient days, a philosopher would examine every aspect of the world.

Literature can guide us because what we lack in life can be found in written literature. Literature is the house of creativity. It is the best use of the human mind. To think, to analyze and to philosophize is the gift that can elevate or provide a new dimension to the human condition. Literature is here to serve us to become better. The basic tool of literature is language. We are lucky that we have English as a lingua franca. This individual language is agreed upon by everyone. Literature educates a layman as he is put through different levels of education. The product of any university is well-educated to live a life and for that, he needs to understand the world.

Literature not only teaches about the world, but it also guides us on how to live a life. These days books are written in almost all areas of life. From Business to culture to management to entrepreneurship. Any written work can also be literature; it will again have its perception. I should make one point clear the purpose of literature is to teach. If you already know something, literature will provide you with a valid ground. You will find people who share the same taste of books, ideas and hobbies. Literature is like finding the best vacation spot.

Fiction is more likely to have a context, but some ideas are general. Let us think from a new perspective if our ideas are challenged by any literary work. Literature mimics society, and it is also an imitation. But it has a purpose. Just like the Poet Ezra Pound who said literature is news that stays news. Literature offers new ideas or insights. Our poetry should have more ideas and new subjectivity than we need. As a reader, we should think about which piece of literature we like. Reading is a tool of literature. We need to keep the literary works flowing and exchanging. Toni Morrison said that if you do not like the book that you are reading, you should write one. There are bundles of choices for us on what to read and which genre of literature to admire. Literature is not a limited perception.

The kind of books that we read, the kinds of music that we listen to, and the kind of movies we watch all create a sense of perception in us. Literature is a part of that perception. If you don’t want to follow the perception of some writer, write or formulate your perception- just like Toni Morrison said. Movies are based on Novels; Grammar lessons can be taught through stories; there is literature in every aspect around us.

Be ready to form your new perception, through literature.

Sushant Thapa (born on 26th February, 1993) is an award-winning Nepalese poet from Biratnagar-13, Nepal who holds an M.A. in English literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi, India. He has published seven books of English poetry, They are: The Poetic Burden and Other Poems (Authorspress, New Delhi, 2020), Abstraction and Other Poems (Impspired, UK, 2021), Minutes of Merit (Haoajan, Kolkata, 2021), Love’s Cradle (World Inkers Printing and Publishing, New York, USA and Senegal, Africa, 2023), Spontaneity: A New Name of Rhyme (Ambar Publication House, New Delhi, 2023), Chorus of Simplicity and Other New Poems (Ukiyoto Publishing, 2024) and Finding My Soul in Kathmandu (Ukiyoto Publishing, 2024). His short story collection entitled “The One Rupee Taker and Other Stories from Nepal” is also published by Ukiyoto Publishing. He works as a lecturer of English in Biratnagar, Nepal. Mr. Thapa has also translated two books of poems from Nepali to English and he has also written book reviews for The Rising Nepal and The Annapurna Express.