LITERATURE QUESTION

With vivid examples explain the following statement. “The origin of Literature was connected with human productive activities”.

Answer:

Nature of Literature

Literature has its origin and development. Its origin is tied up with the origin of man (The historical stage of his emergence which was accomplished through the labour process revolving upon the making and using of tools).

 
The subsequent development of man and human society was determined by the development of the labour process. 

Speech developed as a result of the labour process in its various social movements. At first, speech may have been used as a directive. The word or syllable produced in a moment of labour was a piece of expression. This speech became language, a fully conscious mode of communication between individuals during the social development of labour. 

The development of language, its different forms and function was the result of the development and differentiation of the labour process bringing about the evolution and differentiation of human experience. Each new experience generated new elements of language, i.e. the ability to express, communicate and record.

Initially language development was determined by material activity. Later, with the development of abstract thought there emerged styles and registers which were different in form and function from the former.

 
The artistic form and special use of language was a product and reflection of the development of a special category of mental power in man which was associated with creating, communicating and perceiving artistic images, aesthetic consciousness (conception of reality - the artistic conception). The source of the verbal art of literature hinged upon man’s deep experience in social life. 

Originally, man’s language was spoken, so his verbal art was oral. Historically various forms of oral literature have emerged as a result of the process of linguistic differentiation i.e. labour songs, epics, folk tales, myths, etc. 

All the main techniques and devices of literary art were invented during the time when man knew only oral literature. 

The pre-literate man invented techniques and devices like simile, metaphor, alliteration, rhyme, rhythm, allusion, hyperbole, concepts of tragic, comic, dialogue, narrative, characterization, plot, style, etc.