How to Judge Literature: Examining Literary Merit, Language & Style, Impact and Cultural Relevance

Introduction

Literature can be defined as any form of creative written work, ranging from fictional stories to nonfiction essays. When it comes to discussing or evaluating literature, there is often an ongoing debate about how to properly judge literature. This article will examine the various aspects of how to judge literature, including examining the literary merit of a piece of literature, critically analyzing the language and style, exploring the impact of the work on society, assessing its cultural relevance, and evaluating its historical significance.

Examining the Literary Merit of a Piece of Literature

The literary merit of a piece of literature refers to its artistic value based on criteria such as originality, complexity, and emotional resonance. Factors that are typically taken into consideration when judging literary merit include the plot, characters, structure, and setting. In addition, the quality of the writing, the themes explored, and the level of insight offered by the author all play a role in determining the overall literary merit of a work.

Critically Analyzing the Language and Style of a Piece of Literature

When judging literature, it is important to pay close attention to the language and style used by the author. Key elements of language and style include word choice, sentence structure, imagery, irony, metaphor, and other literary devices. By closely examining the language and style of a piece of literature, readers can gain insight into the author’s overall message and assess how effectively the author conveys this message.

Exploring the Impact of a Piece of Literature on Society

In addition to examining the literary merit and language and style of a work, it is also important to consider the potential impact of the work on society. This can involve examining the message of the work and assessing how it might influence the beliefs and behaviors of readers. Studies have shown that literature can have a powerful effect on people, so it is important to consider the potential implications of a work before making a judgment about its literary merit.

Assessing the Cultural Relevance of a Piece of Literature

When judging literature, it is also important to consider the cultural context in which the work was created. To do this, readers must understand the cultural influences that shaped the work and evaluate the ways in which the work is relevant to current culture. This can involve looking at both the positive and negative aspects of the work in order to make an informed judgment.

Evaluating the Historical Significance of a Piece of Literature

Finally, when judging literature, it is important to consider the historical context in which the work was created. This involves investigating the time period in which the work was written and determining the importance of the work within its historical context. For example, some works may be more significant than others due to their influence on future generations or because they reflect a key moment in history.

Conclusion

In conclusion, judging literature requires considering multiple factors, including examining the literary merit, critically analyzing the language and style, exploring the impact of the work on society, assessing its cultural relevance, and evaluating its historical significance. While these criteria can provide helpful guidelines for evaluating literature, ultimately it is up to the reader to decide how to interpret and judge a work.