Introduction

Gilbert Muller and John A. Williams offer the following as the definition of literature: “What has come to be known as literature is writing in prose or verse that contains complex yet coherent ideas and meanings; deals with significant or universal issues; contains original and imaginative writing; and interests a large number of educated readers.”  Knowing this, give the class one example from popular culture that could be considered literature and one example that is certainly not literature.  This ‘literature’ does not necessarily have to be a novel, short story, or poem.  This work could be a song, video, film, or television program as well.  Feel free to be creative.  Just make sure to clearly explain why your examples are/are not literary, using some of the information you have learned about literature from this week’s lesson and assigned readings.  Please provide links to your examples.  Citations are encouraged but not required.