Why is it necessary to take courses in college that teach us how to write proficiently? Should we not know by now how to write? The answer to these questions are addressed in "Reading and Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide" by Janet E. Gardner. Gardner states on page 2, " The answer as to why people do need to learn these skills is that imaginative literature is different from most of the other writing we read every day, and reading and writing about literature requires, and builds, a very different set of skills than those we bring to a Wikepedia article or a Facebook posting." Gardner also addresses why an individual should read literature, and I agree with her point that literature is not only informational, but helps us to develop certain skills necessary to succeed in the written world. Why is it that individuals often feel literature to be out of date and irrelevant in our world today? I believe that many individuals are unable to recognize the importance of literature, and in turn discount it as being irrelevant. How can reading Shakespeare relate to my life today? The themes that many of the authors in our history depict in their works are still at play in our everyday life, and by reading these works we are given certain guidelines to working through our everyday turmoils.
In "A History of Reading" by Alberto Manguel we are able to see the view of a man who believes literature has been a pivotal role in his development. I agree that literature is very pivotal in each individual's development because they are able to gleam hints about how certain situations can be managed. Human nature causes us to be less likely to know what to do in a foreign situation, but if you really wanted a hint about how to handle a situation you almost certainly can find a work of literature to help you through your predicament. Why do you feel that it is essential for an individual to expose themselves to literature? What can we gain from being well versed in many different forms of literary works?
I appreciate the fact that you mentioned that many themes of literature throughout history still reflect our lives today. They may be exaggerated to the point of hilarity or seem so over the top that people think the writing can only be found in a drama, but they still reflect us as people. Even older works have universal themes like love or humans having a rotten core. In my Theatre 1107 class we discussed this same dilemma. The reason why performances, or literature in this case, are so intriguing is because they do reflect back at us in some way or another; the stories that relate to us are the ones that usually impact us the most.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think I need a class on how to write a proper essay. Writing all these papers in high school didn’t really help me shape myself as a writer; rhetorical analysis papers kicked my butt in 11th and 12th grade. I was always lost in trying to gather my thoughts together in 50 minutes. Gardner’s book, I hope, will be very helpful for me. By reading an array of literature, I believe we’re strengthening our critical thinking skills. We’re trying to connect everything together and tie it all back to the theme of the work. Although you’re right: how does literature apply to our daily lives? There might be some works that are relevant to people’s lives and others may be irrelevant. I’m sure we can all learn something from at least one work of literature, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose.
ReplyDeleteWhitney Rampley asked, “What can we gain from being well versed in many different forms of literary works?” This is my answer to her question.
ReplyDeleteJohn Updike (A&P), William Faulkner (Barn Burning), Virgil (The Aeneid), Susan Glaspell (Trifles), Agatha Christie (Poirot), William Shakespeare (Hamlet), Kate Chopin (The Story of an Hour), Sophocles (Oedipus), Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451) and the late–great Maya Angelou (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings).
I mentioned a few of my favorite authors above because in my opinion they are extraordinary, boundless, and awe-inspiring for the following reasons: and they are all in different genres.
• I thought I knew literature because I read books in grammar school, I did not have a clue what it takes to be called an author with the ability of purpose with focus and determination. Being able to draw in your reader from the start.
• I am an inspired writer because I have a few stories to tell and I know some writing is a gift from God but balance is needed with knowing your craft through education.
• Being a well verse author in writing stories using our imagination and creativity, to bring a plot to together with influence, connecting and invoking mood in our writing takes skills and talent only if you want to be the best writer can be. Skills = Education + Talent = Gift.