Is the Decline of Literary Fiction a Big Loss for Humanity?
The rapid shift in literary preferences has sparked debates about the future of ldquo;serious literature.rdquo; Supporters of traditional literary fiction argue that if this genre falls out of favor, humanity will suffer irreparable damages. This article delves into the essence of literary fiction, examining whether its decline is truly a significant loss for humanity.
The Evolving Nature of Literature
The things people enjoy reading today will become theldquo;literaturerdquo; of tomorrow. Therefore, popular fiction is already literary fiction by default. This shift poses an opportunity to reconsider what literature means and how the modern cultural climate is not uniquely exceptional compared to historical contexts.
Oral Tradition and Manuscripts: The Long History of Literary Survival
Beowulf serves as a perfect illustration of how literary works evolved from oral traditions to written texts. This epic poem, though long extant in oral form, was penned in the late 10th or early 11th centuryroughly 1000 years ago. Only one manuscript survives, but itrsquo;s clear that it didnrsquo;t escape adversities, such as a fire in 1731. People copied the poem because they found value in it. As history shows, only works that were appreciated and distributed widely had a higher chance of survival.
Many literary works from the past have been lost over time, but those that endured did so because they resonated with readers of their time. The importance of Beowulf lies not only in its artistic merit but also in its ability to offer insight into medieval society and its enduring themes. This points to the evolving nature of what constitutes literature and highlights how current preferences are paving the way for future generationsrsquo; understanding of our cultural tapestry.
The Role of Cultural Climate and Consumer Choice
The modern bookshop provides a microcosm of how contemporary choices shape literary history. Recently, a used bookshop in a neighborhood received two new books: King Zeno, a literary fiction, and a copy of Twilight. Fluffers, a cat, ruined both but only King Zeno was lost permanently, as there were no other copies available. This scenario raises the question: in 2118, will Twilight or King Zeno be more likely to feature on a high school literature syllabus?
Contrary to popular belief, popular successes like Twilight were ldquo;always already literature.rdquo; Their significance lies not in their current popularity but in their potential to offer insights into the contemporary societal climate and our world. Academia, with its role in preserving knowledge, will still find value in such texts, even if they are critiqued or derided by some.
The Digital Age and Long-Term Persistance
With the rise of digital literature, both the ephemeral and enduring qualities of written culture become more pronounced. While physical books are subject to decay, digital formats might offer more resilience. Time will tell how the ongoing digital revolution impacts literature, but the fact remains that some literature will survive, while pretentious intellectual pursuits may fade into obscurity.
The Role of Cultural Arbiters
Though practical literary works may lose favor, cultural arbiters like teachers who introduce students to timeless works such as Beowulf will continue to preserve aesthetic and literary excellence. The loss of ldquo;literary fictionrdquo; that did not appeal to the masses is organic and can be viewed as an unstoppable evolutionary process in literature.
Ultimately, the decline of literary fiction does not signify a significant loss for humanity. Society has always been in the process of abandoning works that no longer capture the zeitgeist. This phenomenon is not a unique occurrence but part of a continuous cultural evolution. Serious literature, by definition, refers to those works that remain of lasting interest and value.
Thus, the answer to whether the decline of literary fiction is a big loss for humanity has long been evident:
ldquo;We knew the answer to this question before it was asked.rdquo;