Literal Meaning of Literature
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LITERATURE? "Literature" has been commonly used since the eighteenth century, equivalently with the French "bells Lettres" to designate fictional and imaginative writings, poetry, prose fiction and drama. In an expanded use, it designate also any other writings (including philosophy, history and even scientific works addressed to a general audience) that are especially distinguished in form, expression and emotional power. It is in this larger sense of the term that we call "literary" the philosophical writing of Plato and William James, the historical writing of James Gibbon, the scientific essays of Thomas Henry Huxley, and the psychoanalytic lectures of Sigmund Freud and include them in the reading list of some courses of literature. Confusingly, however, "literature" is sometimes applied also, in a sense close to the Latin original, to all written works whatever their kind or quality. This all-inclusive use in especiall...