Maharani shree nandkuvarba mahila arts & commerce. college
Name :- Dabhi Anita Himmatbhai
S. y. B. A. Sem:- 3
Subject :- English
Paper name :- Study of literature
Topic name :- about literature by w. H. Hudson
Professor name:- Shivani ma'am
Class assignment
The Nature and Elements of Literature – W.H. Hudson
Introduction
W.H. Hudson, in his well-known book An Introduction to the Study of Literature (1913), provides one of the most influential definitions of literature. He describes literature as “the expression of life through the medium of language.” By this, he means that literature is not just a collection of written or spoken words, but a creative and artistic interpretation of life and human experiences. It reflects reality, yet it also transcends it by the imaginative power of the writer. For Hudson, literature is both a mirror and a lamp—it mirrors the realities of human existence and also illuminates life with beauty, truth, and imagination.
The Nature of Literature
1. Literature as the Expression of Life
Hudson insists that literature cannot be separated from life. It is born out of real human experiences, and it deals with the problems, joys, hopes, and struggles of mankind. A great poem or novel reflects the spirit of its age, but it also speaks to all human beings because it deals with universal themes. For instance, Shakespeare’s tragedies, though set in distant places and times, capture emotions like jealousy, ambition, and love—emotions that are timeless. Thus, literature is not just a record of facts like history or science; it is an interpretation of life shaped by the writer’s feelings and imagination.
2. Literature as Emotional and Artistic
Another important aspect of literature, according to Hudson, is that it appeals primarily to the heart and imagination rather than the intellect. A historian may present facts, but a poet transforms those facts into something that touches the soul. Literature is an art, and therefore it is charged with beauty, passion, and artistic charm. A scientific book may give us information, but it cannot stir our emotions. A poem, novel, or play, on the other hand, can make us laugh, weep, sympathize, or dream. This emotional and artistic quality makes literature distinct from all other forms of writing.
3. Literature as Universal and Timeless
Hudson explains that true literature never grows old. While it is born out of a specific time and place, it possesses a universal appeal that makes it valuable across centuries. For example, Homer’s Iliad or Kalidasa’s Shakuntala may belong to ancient cultures, but their portrayal of love, duty, and destiny still moves readers today. This timelessness is possible because literature deals with eternal human truths—love, death, courage, betrayal, sacrifice—which remain the same despite changes in civilization.
4. Literature as Personal and Creative
Every work of literature carries the personality and individuality of its author. It is not a mechanical product but a living creation shaped by imagination, experience, and feeling. Milton’s Paradise Lost reflects not only Biblical themes but also Milton’s own powerful intellect and moral vision. Similarly, Wordsworth’s poetry reflects his deep love of nature and his personal philosophy of life. Thus, literature is always a personal vision of life universalized through imagination.
5. Literature as Moral and Humanistic
Hudson argues that literature has a close connection with morality, though it does not preach directly like a sermon. Instead, literature indirectly shapes human character by presenting noble ideals, stirring emotions, and deepening our sense of humanity. For example, Dickens’s novels like Oliver Twist not only entertain but also expose social injustice and awaken sympathy for the poor. Similarly, Tolstoy’s works inspire moral reflection. Literature, therefore, becomes a powerful moral and humanizing force, guiding society and enriching the human spirit.
The Elements of Literature
Hudson also lays down the fundamental elements that constitute literature. Without these, literature would lose its essence.
1. Subject Matter (Life as the Core of Literature)
The first and foremost element of literature is life itself. Literature cannot exist in a vacuum; it must be rooted in real experiences of men and women. The themes of love, friendship, ambition, struggle, sorrow, joy, and death form the raw material of literature. For example, tragedies like Hamlet and Macbeth deal with ambition, fate, and revenge—universal experiences that are part of human life everywhere. Even fantasy or science fiction ultimately reflects human hopes, fears, and desires.
2. Expression (Language and Style)
Hudson emphasizes that the medium of literature is language, and the effectiveness of literature depends on the way this language is used. Expression involves choice of words, imagery, rhythm, tone, and overall style. A single thought, when expressed beautifully, can become immortal. For instance, Wordsworth’s simple description of a daffodil transforms an ordinary flower into a symbol of joy and beauty. Thus, style and expression are central to the power of literature.
3. Emotion and Imagination
For Hudson, literature is born from strong emotions and given shape by imagination. Writers feel more deeply than ordinary people, and their imagination enables them to transform personal experiences into something universal. A simple incident of love or grief, when passed through the fire of imagination, becomes a timeless story or poem. For example, Keats’s Ode to a Nightingale is based on a passing moment of inspiration, yet imagination turns it into a profound meditation on mortality and beauty.
4. Truth and Universality
Another essential element of literature is truth, though not necessarily scientific or factual truth. Literature expresses emotional, moral, and spiritual truths about human life. A novel or play may not be factually accurate, yet it can reveal profound truths about human nature. Shakespeare’s King Lear may not be a historical fact, but it reveals deep truths about pride, suffering, and filial ingratitude. This combination of truth and universality makes literature both powerful and enduring.
5. Form and Structure
Lastly, Hudson stresses the importance of form in literature. A literary work must have unity, coherence, and order. Without proper form, even the greatest thoughts lose their impact. The plot of a drama, the structure of a sonnet, or the narrative design of a novel—all these forms provide balance and beauty. For example, Aristotle in his Poetics emphasized the unity of action in tragedy, and Hudson echoes this by insisting that form gives completeness to literary expression.
Conclusion
To sum up, W.H. Hudson defines literature as the artistic and imaginative expression of human life in language. Its nature lies in reflecting life, appealing to emotions, and possessing universality, individuality, and moral power. Its essential elements include life as subject matter, expression through language, emotional depth and imagination, universal truth, and artistic form. Together, these qualities make literature not only a record of life but also a creative force that inspires, guides, and uplifts humanity. For Hudson, literature is both a mirror of society and a lamp that illuminates human existence with beauty, truth, and wisdom.
Home assignment
Literature as an Expression of Personality – W.H. Hudson
Definition
According to W.H. Hudson in An Introduction to the Study of Literature:
“Literature is an expression of life through the medium of language, and it is also, in a very real sense, an expression of personality.”
This means that every literary work—poem, novel, play, or essay—is not merely about life in general, but also a reflection of the writer’s personal character, emotions, imagination, and worldview.
Detailed Explanation
1. Literature Reflects the Author’s Personality
Hudson argues that every true piece of literature bears the stamp of its author’s personality. While science and philosophy try to remain objective and impersonal, literature is always colored by the writer’s individuality. The style, choice of themes, emotions, and tone are all shaped by who the writer is.
- For example, John Milton in Paradise Lost reveals not only Biblical stories but also his own Puritan ideals, intellectual power, and moral seriousness.
- Similarly, William Wordsworth’s poetry reflects his personal love of nature, his simplicity, and his faith in the spiritual value of ordinary life.
2. Personal but Universal
Though literature springs from the personality of an individual, it does not remain confined to the personal. Through imagination, the writer universalizes his own experiences, making them meaningful to all mankind.
- For instance, Shakespeare’s plays are filled with his personal insights into human nature, but their themes—ambition in Macbeth, jealousy in Othello, love in Romeo and Juliet—are universal.
Thus, literature is at once deeply personal in origin and broadly universal in appeal.
3. Contrast with Science
Hudson contrasts literature with science.
- Science aims at facts, laws, and objectivity. The personal feelings of the scientist are irrelevant.
- Literature, however, is inseparable from the subjective feelings of the writer. The warmth, individuality, and temperament of the author breathe life into literature.
For example, a scientific description of a flower gives us knowledge, but Keats’s Ode to a Nightingale or Wordsworth’s “Daffodils” makes us feel beauty, joy, and emotion—because the poets express their own personalities through their art.
4. Role of Emotion and Imagination
Hudson explains that personality enters literature chiefly through emotion and imagination. Writers feel more intensely than ordinary people, and they have the power to reshape their feelings into art.
- Lord Byron’s poetry reflects his rebellious, passionate, and restless temperament.
- Keats, with his sensuous imagination, reveals his love for beauty and art.
- Charles Dickens’s novels show his personal sympathy for the poor and his sense of humor.
Each of these works is not just a story or poem but also a revelation of the writer’s inner life.
5. Literature as a Revelation of the Human Spirit
Since literature is an expression of personality, it becomes a record of the diverse human spirit across ages. Each great writer adds his or her own personal vision to the common treasure of humanity.
- Shakespeare’s universality,
- Shelley’s idealism,
- Hardy’s pessimism,
- Tagore’s spiritualism—
all enrich the world of literature and help us understand not only life but also the unique personalities behind the works.
Examples Summarized
- Milton → Lofty moral vision, Puritan faith (Paradise Lost).
- Wordsworth → Deep love of nature, simple spirituality (Lyrical Ballads).
- Byron → Passionate rebellion, restless spirit (Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage).
- Keats → Sensuous love of beauty (Ode on a Grecian Urn).
- Dickens → Sympathy for the poor, humor, social concern (Oliver Twist).
- Tagore → Spiritual depth and humanism (Gitanjali).
Conclusion
In conclusion, W.H. Hudson sees literature as inseparable from personality. While it interprets life, it does so through the unique individuality of the writer. Science may be impersonal, but literature is personal, emotional, and imaginative. At the same time, personal experience is transformed by imagination into something universal and timeless. Literature therefore becomes both a mirror of life and a portrait of the author’s soul, making it one of the most powerful and enduring forms of human expression.
✨Essay
The Study of an Author – W.H. Hudson
Introduction
In An Introduction to the Study of Literature, W.H. Hudson not only explains the nature and elements of literature but also provides guidance on how we should study an author. For Hudson, literature is a living expression of personality, and therefore, the study of an author is not merely about learning dates, historical facts, or critical opinions. Instead, it is about understanding the author’s spirit, personality, and message as revealed in his works.
1. Literature as Personality
Hudson reminds us that literature is essentially an expression of personality. Since every work of literature reflects the inner life of its creator, to study an author means to know the man behind the work. It is not enough to read summaries or rely on critics; we must enter into direct contact with the author’s writings, because there lies his true self.
Example: To understand Wordsworth, one should not just memorize that he was a “nature poet,” but read poems like Tintern Abbey or The Prelude, where his personality and philosophy of life are revealed.
2. Direct Reading of Works
Hudson insists that the first and most important step in studying an author is to read his works directly and sympathetically. No amount of biographical study or second-hand criticism can substitute for a direct encounter with the author’s writings. The beauty, power, and personality of an author can be felt only through his own words.
Example: To study Shakespeare, reading Hamlet or Macbeth is more valuable than memorizing historical notes about the Elizabethan Age.
3. Understanding the Author’s Personality
Since literature is the expression of personality, the student must try to discover:
- The author’s temperament (optimistic, pessimistic, idealistic, realistic).
- His beliefs and philosophy of life.
- His emotional nature and imagination.
- His attitude towards society, religion, morality, and art.
Example: In Dickens’s novels, we see his deep sympathy for the poor and his moral concern for social justice; in contrast, Hardy’s novels reflect his pessimism and belief in the power of fate.
4. Place of Biography and History
Hudson does not reject biography or historical study, but he treats them as secondary and supportive. Biographical facts can help us understand an author’s background, struggles, or influences, but they should never replace the direct enjoyment of his works. Similarly, knowledge of the historical period can throw light on an author’s themes, but it should not dominate our study.
Example: Knowing Milton’s Puritan background helps us understand his moral tone in Paradise Lost, but the real appreciation comes from reading his poetry itself.
5. Avoiding Over-Dependence on Criticism
Hudson warns against depending too much on critics and commentators. While criticism may guide us, it often imposes another person’s opinions, which may block our personal response to literature. The truest way to know an author is to form our own judgment by reading his works closely, and then compare with critical views.
6. Developing Sympathy and Imagination
Hudson emphasizes that to study an author, we must approach his works with sympathy and imagination. Literature appeals to the heart and spirit, so a cold, mechanical reading cannot capture its essence. We must enter into the author’s world, share his emotions, and see life from his perspective.
Example: To understand Shelley, one must feel his passion for freedom and idealism, not just note his dates or political ideas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, W.H. Hudson teaches that the study of an author is not just an academic exercise but a living relationship with a human soul expressed in literature. To study an author means:
- Reading his works directly,
- Discovering his personality,
- Understanding his philosophy and emotions,
- Using biography and history only as aids,
- And developing personal sympathy and imagination.
Thus, the real aim of studying an author is to know the man through his works and to let his personality enrich our own life and spirit.
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