Literariness
Literariness is feature that could turn an ordinary work into
a literary work. Many would say the choices of word plays a huge role in
determining the literariness of a work. Or maybe the uses of figure of speeches
like metaphors, personification, simile etc. Yes. I agree. However, we cannot
solely say that a work that uses colloquial and everyday language is not a
literary work. I would love to give C.S. Lewis work as a reference;
“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you
look back everything is different…”
C.S. Lewis’ words are arranged in such beautiful and
emotional manner and how could this, merely lacking of exquisite metaphors and
wording, be dim as not literary? A work doesn’t need to have aesthetic choices
of word to be a literary work. The most important thing is the meaning that it
tries to convey and strike the reader. However, some writers use exquisite
words to foreground their work. It catches people attention and gives deeper
impact to the readers. All writers have their own writing styles, ‘what did
they say’ and ‘how did they say it’ matters in the field of literature. Both of
the aspects focus on meaning (semantic, pragmatic) and linguistic features
(artistic devices), respectively. I think it is safe to say that there are
absolutely no guidelines in distinguishing literariness. Anything could be a
literary work as long as it gives impact to the reader in any
way.
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