Can you imagine a world where literature did not exist? It’s very hard, nearly impossible. Literature plays a major role in shaping society. Literature is a word used to describe written or spoken material. Literature educates, informs, entertains and influences the reader or listener in a myriad of profound ways. Broadly speaking, “literature” is used to describe anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific works, but the term is most commonly used to refer to works of the creative imagination. Writers can change one’s beliefs, thoughts, actions, indeed their entire lives. In Northrop Frye’s The Educated Imagination, Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird and Plato’s The Republic, the writers use literature to utter the importance literature bestows on society. The three writers state their opinions using different methods to prove to the readers that their opinions are valid. Since each author has a unique writing style, most envision their writing with a relatable figure. Some would argue that Frye’s writing style is much like that of a textbook, very instructional and factual, Lamott reminded them of a conversation with a friend and that Plato’s writing style is very informative, akin to a professor carrying on a dialogue with an inquisitive student. Firstly, in Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird she uses several literary tools to craft her writing style and convey important information. Lamott’s tone is very likable and relatable. She allows for room discussion and does not give off an arrogant vibe that many published writers are prone to. She utilizes contemporary, conversational tone throughout her writing. As a result, the readers feel personally engaged, as if she is talking directly to them. Lamott even uses the word... ... middle of paper ... ...of a chair is only an illusion to trick the viewer into thinking that their seeing an actual chair. Plato argues that this is not useful in society, since it is not truth. His argument is very narrow minded in that it only sees value in objects which have a concrete practical use. Whereas, a painters work doesn’t have a function other than to provide beauty which can enhance one’s life experience. All things considered, these three authors have divergent points of view, styles and approaches to literature. Of the three Anne Lamott stood out as the most assessable and relatable. A young ambitious writer would find no encouragement from Plato and no practical advice from Frye. The same young writer would find numerous useful bits of information and many inspiring thoughts in Anne Lamotts book. Only Plato could truly envision a world were literature does not exist.
Literature; it has compelled us, entertained us, educated us, and drove us to madness. It has served as life instruction, by using the characters as the lesson plan. It is sometimes blunt, sometimes ugly, and in Truman Capote’s case, is so gruesome that we do not dare forget it.
Francine Prose is a mother, a writer, a book reviewer, and most importantly, a massive critic of the type of literature that is demanded of children to read in American high schools. In a very defensive essay, Prose discusses a variety of books that she believes are a wast of actual literature. She uses a variety of rhetoric to attract the reader’s attention, and uses it to also persuade her readers to see things the way she does. Throughout the essay it becomes more apparent that the author makes multiple inferences of what she believes will happen to the generations that will entire a corrupt educational system. In the essay that Prose writes, she explains that the lack of eloquent literature is causing a demise to the education of teenagers
In "Shitty First Drafts" by Anne Lamott expresses the reality of famous writing like herself. Writing isn't something that just comes naturally, its a process. As students today are taught in schools of simple writing due to the teachers assigning the main topic and demonstrates the 5 paragraph papers that the final draft should look like in order to be completed, which students still use this method today, at least I know I do. Thousands of famous writer's brainstorm and go through multiple concepts to get just a topic down to write about. As Anne explains her processes readers can gather her information to help them in their writing as well. This is were the story of Anne Lamott sinks in, this isn't just a story about writers like herself
Literature—the dictionary defines it being the art of written works that is designed to entertain, educate and instruct; writers use literature in an attempt to transfer their ideas from paper to the reader; for some, this task means bringing their story to a different place and time that is entirely separate from what the reader could perceive as ordinary, on order to serve the writer’s intent. With this the impossible, becomes the probable, and the worst fear possibly imagined becomes the breathed reality; with no stated separation between the living, and the dying. The word literature in itself cannot be accurately defined, and by attempting to do so limits, the word is instantaneously limited in its usage and effect. Literature just is, just as much as it is not.
Literature is a mirror of life. In order to reflect their views on the problems in society, many authors of fiction, including Sir Thomas More of Utopia and George Orwell of Nineteen Eighty-Four, use parallels in character, setting, government, and society to link their works to the real world.
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.
Literature is acknowledged for its ability to mirror life. It stands as a reflection for some of the human behavior and it helps to illuminate a genuine picture of the societies.
...ruly realize the false reality that literature made. The reader also has a huge role into expressing these false realities to the public, which can cause prejudice in the near future. People need to be open and understanding of different people and situations. Perspective plays a huge role into the thinking of a human mind, and readers should be more aware of the information’s brought upon different ways. Readers should not come up with a preconceived idea based upon the beliefs of other people perspective but should experience these different societies.
Literature is used throughout the world and many consider it as a language itself. It is used to express emotions and the human's imaginations through creative writing. Literature is written work that is superior and has artistic merits. Schools and officials are stating that literature has no real values that will help students in the real world. They are wanting to restructure schools to better fit what is now needed in our society, but many argue that literature has merits that far exceeds the real world problems. In our history, literature not only gave humans an outlet to record their thoughts through creative writing, but it also allowed us to explore the deepest parts of our mind and have an eloquent way to record it, and allowing access for others to experience. Without Literature, our world would be blunt and would be lacking in color.
Plato is placed directly in the middle of the painting, walking beside Aristotle, and holding an animated conversation. Plato wears red clothing, wears no shoes, has long hair, and a long beard. In one hand he holds a book, while his other hand has a single index finger pointing toward the sky. Each of these characteristics describes Plato and his philosophy in a specific manner. The most obvious characteristic about Plato’s portrayal is his index finger pointing toward the sky. This seems to represent his philosophy about ideas, or forms. Plato believed that behind everything in the “sensible world” there is the “intelligible world” which consists of all of these forms and ideas. Plato believed that these forms are immutable, they are not ph...
literature was not taken seriously. It was merely viewed as a form of writing not meant to
Literature is a very powerful tool that is used to make a huge impact on society or in someone’s perspective. Literature comes in different forms and each literature form fits in a certain category or role to help understand the true meaning of it. From playwrights to short stories, each one has moral lesson, a message or a reflection of the author. I have witnessed the power of literature several times. Literature has moved teens to better being; it has motivated unfortunate people to fame, used as an educational process of teaching and most of all, entertainment. Back in the day, plays were on of the most famous forms of entertainment. Without television and radio present, plays served as a substitute to entertain certain groups of people like the royal family or just for the whole public. This was one way of making money by the actors and the authors that wrote the play. Also present during those times were the poem recitals. This is similar to a play but fewer people are present in the stage or sometimes solo performance. Today, Literature is still being used as a form of entertainment and educational intentions. Hollywood made a lot of money by revising the great masterpieces of famous authors such as “Rome and Juliet” by William Shakespeare. Also, they made movies out of hundreds of literary works for educational purposes and better understanding of the literature piece. Each form of literature has its own style. The style determines how it influences the audience to absorb the true meaning and moral of the story or poem. William Shakespeare and Benjamin Franklin were truly persuasive while Washington Irving and Edgar Allan Poe mixed mystery and adventure to their works. The style touches the readers which really makes a good relationship from the reader to the author’s literary masterpieces.
Plato believed art to be a form of communication on a metaphysical level. The modern western view of art appears to support his supposition in this regard. However, his student Aristotle felt that art was a reflection and invocation derived from the scientific forms of nature. Clearly, his ideology does not fit into the Ancient World’s artistic representations. As art evolves throughout history it intersects with Aristotle’s philosophy although not for many centuries will we begin to see his naturalistic/scientific theory evolve.
Literature allows reflection. It helps us to shape our own thoughts. It builds on rich histories of thought and expression. Literature represents and explores the ways in which the world is viewed and experienced by people in that society.
First, Plato believed that ideas are the realist things in the world. What we see in our daily life is not reality; sense perceptions are only appearances. And appearances are unreliable material copies of the immaterial pure ideas. Thus to him the world of the ideas is reasonable and fixed and holds the truth. While the world of physical appearances is variable and irrational, and it only bears reality to the extent that it succeeds in capturing the idea. To live the best life that you can and to be happy and do good, as a person you have to strive to understand and imitate the ideas as best as you can. So, with this philosophy in mind we can understand why Plato considered art as just a mindless pleasure. He viewed art as just an imitation.