Is English literature dying? The conclusion of a discussion on the New Statesman’s Youtube channel is that English literature is indeed dying and will be largely replaced by short form videos on Tik Tok, Youtube and other similar channels. You can watch the video here https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=decline+of+english+literature+new+statesman+youtube&mid=5B236ED81B4763A297425B236ED81B4763A29742&FORM=VIRE
The author Mark Twain is said to have remarked that, “reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”. I certainly hope that this proves to be so with the predicted demise of English literature.
Whilst it is almost impossible to draw sweeping conclusions from one’s own experience, my use of Tik Tok has resulted in a very high volume of likes and comments on my poetry videos, and a number of commenters have been kind enough to say that they will buy copies of my books. Therefore short form videos do, in my admittedly limited experience have the potential to actually increase interest in literature and assist in the sale of books.
You can find me on Tik Tok here https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinmorrispoet
As always, I would be interested in your views.
K Morris - Poet 
I on the other hand will continue to sit comfortably with a classic book in my hand such as Pride and Prejudice and continue to enjoy and travel back in time,
Good for you, Rasma. I will join you!
It’s possible that the study of English literature is dying in universities, at least in the US, where is has been taken over by sociologists.
You make an interesting point about the study of English literature in the US, Liz. Having never visited the US, its difficult for me to form any judgement regarding what is happening in the US universities.
When you speak of English literature having been taken over by the sociologists do you mean that it has been overly politicised by those who are (in US terms) on the left of politics?
I have always believed that literature is valuable in and of itself. Of course writers can (and often are) political. However, much literature is not political and trying to politicise everything (whether it is the left or the right doing it) is unhelpful to put it mildly.
I like Larkin and Auden who are, as you know, on opposite wings of the political spectrum. But I feel we should, so far as is possible disregard both poet’s politics and concentrate on their verse.
If you were to review literature course syllabi and read current literary scholarship from the US, you’d get the sense that poems, novels, and short stories are only valuable if they confirm the sociological theory du jour. Very disheartening.
Thank you for explaining the position in the US, Liz. Similar things have been said about the teaching of English literature here in the UK.
I am sure that many dead authors and poets would be turning in their graves where they to become aware of how their writings are being interpreted today.
You’re welcome, Kevin. If I were starting college now, I would major in history rather than English.
The crazy thing is that dead authors didn’t write their works to studied in colleges and universities. They wrote them for readers. I’ll stop. I feel a rant coming on.
You are of course right that authors wrote their works for readers and not to be studied in universities or colleges. Also, in the case of Dickens, he wrote to make money to support himself and his family.
Thank you for the interesting discussion Liz.
My pleasure, Keith! I enjoy literary conversation.
That is indeed very disheartening, Liz
Interesting video, Kevin. I never studied English literature but I do like to read classic books
I studied English literature at a-level, but pursued history and politics whilst at university in Swansea. Thanks for commenting, Robbie. I’m glad you found it interesting.