Hey there! 👋 Ready to dive into the world of literature and its sneaky connections with politics? Yep, we're following the footsteps of a famous scholar named Terry Eagleton who argued that studying literature is always political.

According to Eagleton, defining "literature" and its "use" isn't as straightforward as you may think. His point is that the discourse (that fancy term simply means the way we read, think, and communicate about texts) is itself political. You're probably wondering, "How?"

Well, remember that time when you argued with your friends about the best superhero? 🦸‍♂️ Each of you brought different perspectives, possibly influenced by your backgrounds, personal biases, or societal norms. Similar dynamics happen when we engage with literature—we don't just see the words on a page, we bring our worldviews into it too.

Eagleton's perspective takes us beyond the text. You aren't just reading—you're engaging with the world around you. Even if you're appreciating a poem solely for its artistic merit, you're probably thinking about human emotions, experiences, and cultures.

Let's say you're reading The Great Gatsby 🎩. Sure, it's a captivating story, but it also says a lot about the roaring 1920s, the American Dream, and social inequality. These issues aren't confined to the pages; they’re part of our history and continue to be relevant today.