More handpicked essays just for you.
Importance of genres of literature
The Influence of Literature
Importance of literature and its characteristics
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Books are mind-vacations, intelligence-enhancers, shielded adventures, and champions of inspiration awaiting discovery. Obstinately analytical individuals often argue against the necessity of mandatory high school English courses, citing literature’s functional ‘uselessness’ as proof of their delusional position’s validity. However, pervasively influential in its role as developmental catalyst and accolade to imagination, the study of literature is educationally essential because it represents a timeless testament to the unchanging nature of humanity.
Literature is an agent of civilization and progress. The crucial connection between literacy and advancement is illustrated by the loss of culture and regressive socio-economic development experienced by countries in which illiteracy is rampant and schooling is poorly-attended (Murthy 2). A central means of transferring knowledge, history recorded in literature ensures educational accuracy in modern classrooms. George Santayana famously argued for the dependency of progression on meticulous documentation, saying, “those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it” (Cohen 1). Embodying a firsthand reflection of historical attitudes, classic literature – although superficially fictional – conveys the intensity of human experience in an emotionally comprehensive way which analytical documentation cannot. Accomplished historian and producer Dr. Howard Zinn advocates for the compulsory studying of literature in high schools, saying, “books are windows into the world of the author, while textbooks are concrete walls with words written on them” (Fredman 4).
In an emotionally barren world of technological alienation, literature gives intellectual relevancy to the (often negle...
... middle of paper ...
...ionality, unites humanity in a communal atmosphere of tolerance and peace.
Works Cited
Cohen, M. “On History and Literature”. New Republic. July 21, 1920. Available from: Canadian
Points of View Reference Centre, Ipswich, MA. February 28, 2011.
Fredman, S. “An Interview With Howard Zinn.” Tikkun. May 2006. Available from: Canadian
Points of View Reference Centre, Ipswich, MA. February 28, 2011.
Gioia, Dana. “Why Literature Matters: Good Books Make A Civil Society.” Boston News. April
10, 2005. February 28, 2011. ().
Murthy, Padmini. "Literacy and Sustainable Development." UN Chronicle. 2009. Canadian
Points of View Reference Centre. EBSCO. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Roche, Mark. Why Literature Matters in the 21st Century. Yale University Press, 2004.
Velasquez, Manuel. Philosophy: A Text with Readings. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Group. 2002.
Gioia identifies all that is at stake in a world where reading is obsolete in his essay On the Importance of Reading. He paints imagery to show the comparisons of readers and non readers as well as the affects literacy and illiteracy have on the world. Gioia asserts his opinions on why reading is losing the battle of popularity. According to Gioia a person who reads is civic-minded, active, empathic, and imaginative. Gioia expresses the opposite benefits are true of illiterate or semi literate people they lead passive lives, are less likely to volunteer, and less imaginative. Among all of these benefits of reading Gioia identifies, he writes in depth about empathy gained through reading. I also feel one of the greatest benefits of reading
In literature, schools often teach students the morals of a book rather than actual knowledge that they should acquire in the classroom such as literary devices or sentence structure. In Francine Prose’s, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read,” she discusses how teaching students to only focus on the moral of a book instead of the many different literary elements it contains, effects their passion for reading. “A friend’s daughter’s English teacher informed a group of parents that the only reason to study Huckleberry Finn was to decide whether it was a racist text.” (94) This acknowledges that schools do not focus on important aspects of the books. The main point that Prose forms in her essay is that students are no longer required to read a piece of literature in depth, they only have to read to identify and learn the moral, when
English in its entirety can be simply described as author, biologist and physician, Lewis Thomas had once said, “We pass the word around; we ponder how the case is put by different people, we read the poetry; we meditate over the literature; we play the music; we change our minds; we reach an understanding. Society evolves this way, not by shouting each other down, but by the unique capacity of unique, individual human beings to comprehend each other” (Thomas 120). The impact literature can bring onto others is simply amazing and is a gift that should be shared with everyone. This spring semester has quickly broadened my perspective. Being that this is my freshman year in college I prodded around ideas of what majors I had interests in. I toyed around with political science, but I found that I spent more time on arguing with what the political figures stood for than actually studying. I was almost certain I wanted to be an interior designer but I became overly fixated on how to properly draw three dimensional boxes to further myself any farther. Truth be told, I am the type of person who rather create something encrusted with detail than something cut in dry like politics or basic shapes. I have always have had a love for literature and especially poetry. At age eight I became a published poet in a children’s book. Even at a young age I knew with words I can create something to quench my need to express how I feel about a certain topic or issue. Therefore I have recently declared myself as a literature major. Through the structured English 1B's course and power of words from authors; Boisseau, Bishop, Glaspell and Ibsen I have gained valuable life lessons .
In a world dominated by technology, reading novels has become dull. Instead of immersing into books, we choose to listen to Justin Bieber’s new songs and to scroll through Instagram posts. We have come to completely neglect the simple pleasures of flipping through pages and getting to finally finish a story. Sherman Alexie and Stephan King’s essays attempt to revive this interest in books that has long been lost. They remind us of the important role that reading plays in our daily lives. “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me,” for instance, demonstrates how being literate saved the narrator from the oppressive nature of society. The author explains that even though he was capable of reading complex books at an astonishingly young
The entirety of Ray Bradbury’s life revolved around literature. Ever since Bradbury was a child, he had possessed an affinity towards to writing. Bradbury’s writings were not purely influenced by his passion of literature, however. Growing up the author would’ve learned about the frail nature of books: the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, the Nazi’s book burnings, and Stalin’s “Great Purge”. Bradbury also witnessed the golden age of radio and its transition into the golden age of television, all of which Bradbury believed detracted from the beauty and knowledge that could be attained through a written medium. The American author worried about the fall of his beloved literate dreams.
In “Why Literature Matters” the author, Dana Gioia, argues that literature is very important in today’s society. He talks about the decline of reading over the years and the effects it has on different companies and communities. Gioia uses many persuasive techniques, such as evidence, jingoism, and diction, to try and persuade the reader that literature is important.
Abcarian, Richard, Marvin Klotz, and Samuel Cohen. Literature: the Human Experience. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010. Print.
In “The Closing of the American Book,” published in the New York Times Magazine, Andrew Solomon argues about how the decline of literary reading is a crisis in national health, politics, and education. Solomon relates the decline of reading with the rise of electronic media. He believes that watching television and sitting in front of a computer or a video screen instead of reading can cause the human brain to turn off, and lead to loneliness and depression. He also argues that with the decrease of reading rates, there will no longer be weapons against “absolutism” and “terrorism,” leading to the United States political failure in these battles. The last point Solomon makes is that there is no purpose behind America being one of the most literate societies in history if people eradicate this literacy, and so he encourages everyone to help the society by increasing reading rates and making it a “mainstay of community.” Solomon tries to show the importance of reading in brain development and he encourages people to read more by emphasizing the crisis and dangers behind the declination of reading.
Literature is an outlet for imagination without restrictions, a platform for expression, and a form of art that outlives its author. Most importantly, it can be a way to help one truly discover themselves. As audiences are exposed to more literature throughout their lives, they not only learn about their true potential, but are also made aware of their flaws and faults in character. Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird and Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton are both remarkable characters, but from various events that reveal their shortcomings, the audience receives the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. By appreciating literature, one not only receives a wonderful story, but is also given the chance to grow with the characters and learn lessons from the character’s experiences.
Literature has long been a key aspect to human life; paving the way to new beginnings, replaying the events of the old, and even telling tales that would otherwise be impossible. With this knowledge, it is no secret that literature has indeed had a powerful effect on everyday life. Nevertheless, is it truly right to label literature so strictly? Many follow the beliefs of those such as Thomas De Quincey, who had once claimed that there are only two types of literature: the literature of knowledge and then of power. While it is true that different types of writing may inspire while others teach, the two often overlap so significantly it may not be worth the effort to efficiently sort them.
As a child, it was critical to learn how to read and read a lot in order to fluently learn english and be able to read and write. But, as you get older, reading becomes less of an everyday thing and more of an if I have to, i’ll do it. Honestly, I did not even want to read the articles I have to include in this paper, but since it is in the prompt i have to. However, that does not mean that reading becomes less important in teens lives. “Aside from introducing children to a love of literature and storytelling, reading exposes them to written language, which differs from the spoken word.
Abcarian, Richard, Marvin Klotz, and Samuel Cohen. Literature: the Human Experience. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010. Print.
The history of books concerns itself with the interaction between the development of books and texts and the cultural and social factors that both influence and are influenced by this development. One aspect of book history is the availability of books and the literacy of readers, both of which have been strongly dependent on social and cultural factors such as technology and authority. This essay will focus on the way in which literacy and book availability have been influenced by the form, creation and distribution of books, as well as the authoritative social and cultural factors that both enable and disable readership. According to Rachel Karchmer there is a close relationship between literacy and technology (442), which becomes clear
For many years, the thought of English being the official language of the United States has come with a little controversy. Some argue that English should be the official language because it is the most dominant language in the world. Some believe by doing so, it would create a stronger unity among the American people. Proponents believe that although the United States is diverse, it may be too much for the American people to juggle multiple languages. Others believe that English shouldn’t be the official language and instead be one of many prominent languages that are widely used in our nation such as Spanish, French, and Chinese. I believe English should be the official language in the United States. However, I believe more emphasis should be placed on learning new languages especially among youths in school and during developmental stages.
Literature has many purposes, and opens doors to unique worlds. Through Literature, we discover ourselves and world time and again.