"The Shroud" and Other Short Stories Lesson Plan

Consider Premchand’s definition of literature. Do you agree or disagree with this definition? Why or why not?

Premchand's definition of literature as the "criticism" of life may rather subversive to some students – after all, if literature is defined solely by its lofty mission of changing society, does that mean that there can't be any form of literature that affirms the values embraced by society? However, some students may disagree that this is what Premchand means. In their view, because literature always reflects the values of its time, literature is also always shaping those values - the key is to shape them with more, not less, critical self-consciousness.

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