What Can Literature Teach Us?

Literature is a word that refers to both written and spoken works. Literature is derived from the Latin term literature, which means "writing created with letters," and refers to works of the imagination such as poetry, theatre, fiction, nonfiction, and, in certain cases, journalism and music.

What Is Literature, Exactly?

Simply said, literature expresses a language's or people's culture and heritage. Many have attempted to define the notion, yet it is apparent that the recognized definition of literature is always changing and developing.

 

What Is The Best Way To Teach English As A Second Language?

For many people, the term literature conjures up images of a higher art form; just writing words on a paper does not always imply that you've created literature. The approved corpus of works for a certain author is referred to as a canon. Some works of literature are regarded as canonical, or culturally typical of a genre (poetry, prose, or drama).

 

Genre Fiction vs. Literary Fiction

Literary fiction is further distinguished from so-called "genre fiction," which encompasses genres such as mystery, science fiction, western, romance, thriller, and horror, according to certain definitions. Consider the mass-market paperback.

Literary fiction explores themes common to the human condition and uses symbolism and other literary devices to convey the author's viewpoint on his or her chosen themes, whereas genre fiction has less character development and is read for entertainment, escapism, and plot, whereas genre fiction explores themes common to the human condition and uses symbolism and other literary devices to convey the author's viewpoint on his or her chosen themes. Reading literary fiction entails immersing oneself in the thoughts of the characters (or at least the protagonist) and their interactions with others. During the course of a literary work, the protagonist usually comes to a revelation or transforms in some manner.

 

What Is The Importance Of Literature?

At their finest, literary works serve as a type of blueprint for human civilization. From Egyptian and Chinese texts to Greek philosophy and poetry, from Homer's epics to William Shakespeare's plays, from Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte to Maya Angelou, works of literature provide insight and context into all of the world's cultures. Literature may therefore be more than a historical or cultural item; it can also be a gateway to a new realm of experience.

However, what constitutes literature varies from generation to generation. For example, contemporaneous critics deemed Herman Melville's 1851 book "Moby Dick" a failure. However, because of its subject intricacy and use of symbolism, it has now been regarded as a masterpiece and is usually ranked as one of the finest works of Western literature. We may obtain a better grasp of literary traditions in Melville's period by reading "Moby Dick" now.

Literature Debate

In the end, we may deduce meaning from literature by examining what the author writes or says, as well as how he or she expresses it. We may deduce an author's message by looking at the words he or she uses in a book or work, or by watching which character or voice serves as the reader's link.

In academics, this decoding of the text is often accomplished by the use of literary theory to better grasp the context and depth of a work, such as mythological, sociological, psychological, historical, or other methods.

Literature is essential to us because it speaks to us, it is universal, and it impacts us on a very personal level, regardless of the critical paradigm we use to debate and analyze it.

 

School Capabilities

Students who study literature and read for enjoyment have a larger vocabulary, improved reading comprehension, and improved communication abilities, including the capacity to write. People's communication abilities have an impact on all aspect of their life, from interpersonal connections to corporate meetings to composing intraoffice messages or reports.

Students learn to discern cause and effect and use critical thinking skills as they examine literature. They investigate the characters mentally or sociologically without recognizing it. They figure out what motivates the characters to do what they do and look for any hidden reasons.

Students employ problem-solving skills to come up with a thesis and complete their paper while preparing an essay on a work of literature. It involves research skills to find proof for their position in the text and academic criticism, and it demands organizational skills to deliver their argument in a logical, well-organized way.

 

Other Emotions And Empathy

According to several research, persons who read literature have greater empathy for others because literature puts the reader in the shoes of another person. Empathy for others encourages individuals to interact more efficiently, resolve disagreements in a peaceful manner, cooperate more effectively in the job, act ethically, and maybe get active in improving their society.

Other studies have shown a link between empathy and reading, but not causality. In any case, research support the necessity for excellent English programs in schools, particularly as individuals spend more time gazing at devices than reading books.

Readers will feel more connected to mankind and less lonely as a result of their empathy for others. Students who study literature might find comfort in knowing that others have gone through what they are going through or have gone through. If they feel overwhelmed or alone with their worries, this might be a catharsis and release.