What Literature Can Tell Us

What literature can tell us
By
Esther Lombardi
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Updated January 31, 2020
Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material.

Derived from the Latin word literature meaning "writing formed with letters,"
literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including
poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song.
What Is Literature?
Simply put, literature represents the culture and tradition of a language or a
people. The concept is difficult to precisely define, though many have tried; it's
clear that the accepted definition of literature is constantly changing and
evolving.
For many, the word literature suggests a higher art form; merely putting words
on a page doesn't necessarily equate to creating literature. A canon is the
accepted body of works for a given author. Some works of literature are
considered canonical, that is, culturally representative of a
particular genre (poetry, prose, or drama).
Literary Fiction vs. Genre Fiction

Some definitions also separate literary fiction from so-called "genre fiction,"
which includes types such as mystery, science fiction, western, romance, thriller,
and horror. Think mass-market paperback.
Genre fiction typically does not have as much character development as literary
fiction and is read for entertainment, escapism, and plot, whereas 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.
Literary fiction involves getting into the minds of the characters (or at least the
protagonist) and experiencing their relationships with others. The protagonist
typically comes to a realization or changes in some way during the course of a
literary novel.
(The difference in type does not mean that literary writers are better than genre
fiction writers, just that they operate differently.)
Why Is Literature Important?

Works of literature, at their best, provide a kind of blueprint of human society.
From the writings of ancient civilizations such as Egypt and China to Greek
philosophy and poetry, from the epics of Homer to the plays of William
Shakespeare, from Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte to Maya Angelou, works of
literature give insight and context to all the world's societies. In this way,
literature is more than just a historical or cultural artifact; it can serve as an
introduction to a new world of experience.
But what we consider to be literature can vary from one generation to the
next. For instance, Herman Melville's 1851 novel "Moby Dick" was considered a
failure by contemporary reviewers. However, it has since been recognized as a
masterpiece and is frequently cited as one of the best works of Western literature
for its thematic complexity and use of symbolism. By reading "Moby Dick" in the
present day, we can gain a fuller understanding of literary traditions in Melville's
time.
Debating Literature
Ultimately, we may discover meaning in literature by looking at what the author
writes or says and how he or she says it. We may interpret and debate an author's
message by examining the words he or she chooses in a given novel or work or
observing which character or voice serves as the connection to the reader.
In academia, this decoding of the text is often carried out through the use
of literary theory using a mythological, sociological, psychological, historical, or
other approaches to better understand the context and depth of a work.
Whatever critical paradigm we use to discuss and analyze it, literature is

important to us because it speaks to us, it is universal, and it affects us on a
deeply personal level.
School Skills
Students who study literature and read for pleasure have a higher vocabulary,
better reading comprehension, and better communication skills, such as writing
ability. Communication skills affect people in every area of their lives, from
navigating interpersonal relationships to participating in meetings in the
workplace to drafting intraoffice memos or reports.
When students analyze literature, they learn to identify cause and effect and are
applying critical thinking skills. Without realizing it, they examine the characters
psychologically or sociologically. They identify the characters' motivations for
their actions and see through those actions to any ulterior motives.
When planning an essay on a work of literature, students use problem-solving
skills to come up with a thesis and follow through on compiling their paper. It
takes research skills to dig up evidence for their thesis from the text and scholarly
criticism, and it takes organizational skills to present their argument in a
coherent, cohesive manner.
Empathy and Other Emotions

Some studies say that people who read literature have more empathy for others,
as literature puts the reader into another person's shoes. Having empathy for
others leads people to socialize more effectively, solve conflicts peacefully,
collaborate better in the workplace, behave morally, and possibly even become
involved in making their community a better place.
Other studies note a correlation between readers and empathy but do not
find causation. Either way, studies back the need for strong English programs in
schools, especially as people spend more and more time looking at screens rather
than books.
Along with empathy for others, readers can feel a greater connection to humanity
and less isolated. Students who read literature can find solace as they realize that
others have gone through the same things that they are experiencing or have
experienced. This can be a catharsis and relief to them if they feel burdened or
alone in their troubles.

What Literature Can Tell Us

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What literature can tell us

Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material.

Literary Fiction vs. Genre Fiction

Why Is Literature Important?

Whatever critical paradigm we use to discuss and analyze it, literature is

Empathy and Other Emotions

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