UNIT 47

LITERATURE

The study of humanities has always been prevented by its abstract terminology.
Literature as distinct from the fine arts, deals exclusively with words. Lacking the visual
aspect of painting and the audio aspect of music, it remains an ambiguous entity that is
constantly being redefined. Definitions of literature often reflect two extreme positions.
There are those who see literature as a form of art, as a way of translating experience, and
others who see it as a social document.

I. VOCABULARY
To prevent: To stop
Abstract: Way of thinking based on general ideas rather than on real things and events
Distinct: Separate
Exclusively: Involving only the things mentioned, solely
Aspect: Feature
Ambiguous: Unclear or-confusing
Entity: Thing, unit, being
Constantly: Always, continuously
To (re)define: To describe, to name (again)
Reflect: Show, display
Extreme: Very great in degree or intensity
II. EXERCISE: Complete the sentences with a suitable form of the words \ defined
above.
1. Even if Clark had been willing to start such a grandiose project, costs would no doubt
have ... him.
2. Direct mail is a very broad category we need ... it," he said.
3. A software product which runs ... on workstations is Signal Processing Work System
of SPW from Comdisco,
4. These pictures are .,., in that they can be interpreted in more than one way.
5. He particularly criticized the .... in the document which he described as "woolly".
III. READING COMPREHENSION
1. We understand that fine arts ..
a. lack visual aspects of painting,
b. are not so different from literature.
c. are in need of abstract terminology.
d. cannot be redefined.
e. have got nothing to do with words.
2. The writer points out that the definition of literature ..........
a. does not cause any disagreement since it is clear.
b. is merely the life style and way of thinking of a given society.
c. is unclear and continually changes.
 d. is just like those of painting and music.
e. is not only based on words.
3. One definition of literature maintains that,
a. it cannot be classified from of art.
b. results from its abstract terminology.
c. translation should be given due importance,
d. literature is not related to experience.
e. there is no need to redefine it.