“"If interest in reading is lacking, society is in a tragic state. The loss of interest in reading is a black tragedy."” (Franz Kafka)
Not many people are interested in exploring the world of literature. This may be due to fads, apathy, or perhaps a lack of experience with artistic reading. Yet, the world of literature can be understood and enjoyed by anyone. Literature enthusiasts don't come from academics, intellectuals, or the educated. Again, they don't come from them.
Literary connoisseurs, on the other hand, come from the ordinary. Even those who live in intellectual simplicity have the right to be literary connoisseurs. There are no special requirements or any kind of license. VIP to dive in and get involved in this profession.
Of course, a literature lover refers to an individual or group of people who have a deep interest in works of art and literary language. This encompasses a wide range of people with varying characteristics and inclinations.
In other words, they often build emotional connections and characters within a story's plot. If there were a requirement to be a literary connoisseur, it would be only one: be a reader, or a book lover. That's it.
In the final point of the sentence above, "become a book lover" is a requirement for becoming a literature lover. Some readers may wonder why one must first become a book lover? Why must one be a bookworm? Or why must one love reading? To become a literature lover, and similar questions. After all, many literature lovers don't enjoy reading or writing, but they can still enjoy literary works.
This question is addressed by Rene Wellek and Austin Warren in the book; Theory of Literature,1956. According to Wellek, a distinction must first be made between literature and the study of literature. Literature is creativity, art, and the ability to grasp meaning. While studying literature is a form of knowledge, a science. (sciences) or the learning process to deepen the knowledge of literature.
"Literature is creative, an art. While others are species of knowledge or of learning."[1] In principle, there are prerequisites to becoming a literature lover, such as having to be a writer first and then being able to understand literature, there are also those who say that it is not necessary to be both, just by reading literary works you can become a literature lover.
Please note, Wellek's important answer above refers to 2 (two) keywords. knowledge and learning (knowledge and learning). This is the essence of knowledge and learning that Wellek and Warren emphasize. The argument's framework, stating that anyone can enjoy literature, isn't entirely wrong, but the question is how someone will understand literature, even if they don't understand what literary science is.
What are the titles of the books you read? What genres of books do you read? How well do you understand the books you read? These questions will certainly become problematic if the first requirement, "being a sufficient reader," is not met.
Therefore, Wellek and Warren suggest that knowledge and study of literature and its sciences are essential. Knowledge and understanding of literature are profound. Studying literature is a complex set of knowledge and understanding of art, language, and creativity. Those who study art will see things in depth.
Art is what will give birth to creativity or vice versa, creativity will make someone become an artist in solving or looking at the problems ahead. Of course, a set of knowledge, knowledge about understanding and learning about literature cannot be ignored. Because, the higher a person's knowledge of literary values and knowledge, the deeper their level of understanding.
Why Should You Be a Book Lover?
At this level, it's a bit pessimistic to explain what it means to be a book lover. Numerous surveys show that our society (Indonesia) has low reading rates. It's common knowledge that our society's reading interest isn't in good shape.
In Franz Kafka's words, if there is a lack of interest in reading, society is in a tragic state. The loss of interest in reading is a black tragedy. No one can explain this tragic tragedy in a community because it is useless. Even rational knowledge struggles to explain this tragedy.
To become a book lover, a strong reading awareness is required. This high level of reading awareness stems from an individual's intrinsic motivation. This level of awareness is difficult to achieve without compulsion to read. Perhaps a good compulsion is compulsion to read. Compulsory reading provides positive benefits for the mind.
Any theory and method without being tested will nonsense (nonsense). It is in this capacity of testing theory that Wellek and Warren use the term 'theory' in their work. Literary theory demands that anyone be trapped within it. Trapped in the sense of trapping themselves into a love of reading. Because with it, literary theory brings benefits.
Indeed, not all literature is derived from reading arguments. However, the meaning and value of literature will be uncertain, even chaotic, if one or two sentences are removed or cut. This argument will destroy part, or even the entire meaning of the literature. Perhaps this is what Wellek meant by introducing foreign criteria into literary assessment.
Wild interpretations may potentially obscure the true meaning of literature. Yet, the true meaning hasn't even reached that point. The sharpness of analysis and the depth of understanding of literature can be measured by presenting comparative variables. These variables are what make fair argumentation difficult. The narrative of argumentative justice lies solely in the clarity of the reading.
In short, a true literary connoisseur is one who enjoys reading and creates a constructive understanding to prevent wild interpretations of a text. This ensures that both the literary connoisseur and the reader can be held accountable for the fairness of the narrative and argumentation.
And Allah knows best
[1] Rene Wellek and Austin Warren, Theory of Literature. (New York: A Harvest book, 1956), p. 15
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