Literature – Interpretation, Literary Criticism and Evaluation -- Role of Scientific Modelling

Abstract
What are the classes and types of models required for enjoying, interpreting, critically evaluating and ranking literary works? After presenting some general thoughts about evaluating literature we consider the evaluation of short stories. As a case study we take two very old Telugu short stories by two literary giants, one by Gurajada Appa Rao, (Pedda masidu or matamu-vimatamu) written about a century ago and one by Viswanatha Satyanarayana (Jivuni ishtam) written in 1941. I liked both the stories and the works of the authors set a benchmark in evaluating our own pramanas (logical yard-sticks). In addition we also a 1928 book entitled “A History of Telugu Literature” by P. Chenchaiah and Raja M. Bhujanga Rao Bahadur.
Why do we need models, in particular quantitative and qualitative models in the literature, in particular, in the context of a short story? We use Telugu words, katha (often mispronounced kadha), kadhaanika) and kata but the Telugu word is used in a narrower sense. Sanskrit kathaa has a wider scope. The Sanskrit original word “kathaa” can mean a story, a tale, a fable, a legend, a conversation, a dialogue, a discussion and a disputation (as in Buddhist kathavattu). There are Telugu stories and novels belonging to the latter class.
• If the story is not contemporary, its study is more for understanding the heart of the great writer, assessing its impact then and its relevance and archival value now
• We can start even from stories from ancient classics such as epics and puranas and secular texts like Pancatantra, Katha-Saritsagara and Gaathaa Saptasati to Bhatti-Vikramarka and Kasi-majili stories. (gaatha is rooted in gaa indicating singing as in a burra-katha).
• We can use a story or a novel as a source of valuable information about the society and history of the period.
• For contemporary stories, we need models for identifying good, valuable and trend-setting stories, which can be used as benchmarks. We may need them in contexts conducted by magazines for identifying the stories for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in a special issue and some for ordinary publication. (This is from say a hundred new ones specifically submitted for the purpose). We may need to identify ten stories for an anthology from among the published ones in a year or a decade or for pre-publication review by a publisher. These are looking at a story collection and comparative study.
• For intensive study and evaluation for an academic degree and also develop an appropriate literary theory for Telugu literature, to assess it for inclusion in a survey of literature
• Last but not the least is our desire to categorize an author for example by labels such as a traditionalist, progressive writer, unconventional writer, revolutionary writer etc
• Survival of a work over time depends upon attitude, motivation and models of evaluation of the individuals and agencies involved in creating archives – Vavilla Press, Visalandhra Publications, and Gutenberg Project may have different underlying reasons for preserving different genres of literature. For example Gutenberg project gives importance to Catherine Mayo’s Mother India. Gutenberg project’s Telugu publication is Mahidhara Ramamohana Rao’s Subhalekha. Sanskrit does not figure as a language in the list of publications preserved under the project.
• Reviews implicitly can help in promoting and publicizing the literary works in the market place.
• A society which does not preserve its history including literary history will be a society without any distinction.


Cheruku Ramamohanrao A society which does not preserve its history including literary history will be a society without any distinction.' This is an altruistc conclusion . excellent