Definitions are subjective. Three individuals were asked their personal definitions of literature and civilization. The question posed was as follows: I am in a class called Literature and Civilization. What do you think literature is? What do you think civilization is?

"Literature is all the books that you should read but don't. Civilization is what happens when a whole bunch of people have some kind of formative story get together and all together don't read all the books that they should." - Philip Price, minister

 "I think literature is the stories and writings of a group of people throughout generations. Civilization is a group of people living in the same area" - Jessica Ranck, student  

"Literature is knowledge in the form of written material intended to enrich the mind and soul. Civilization is a unity of sentient beings to form a lasting community throughout existence" - Matt Anderson, local try-hard.