For being such a commonplace term, Literature is rather loosely defined. The term originated in the late 14th Century from the Latin root litera/littera meaning letter and was used to refer to writing formed with letters. Through the ages, several other definitions have come to pass, including Merriam – Webster’s, that says literature can be anything from written works (such as poems, plays, and novels) that are considered to be very good and to have lasting importance, to printed materials (such as booklets, leaflets, and brochures) that provide information about something. In this paper, we look at how written work developed since writing was invented and how crucial a role it played in shaping historical events and how in turn, history affected …show more content…
Though many interesting and notable contributors might have been missed, I have tried my best to keep this paper concise and list out some of the times, incidents and people I felt were most significant. In the introductory part, we began with an understanding of what counts as literature. We then progressed to English Literature in three different forms – the Drama, Poetry and the Prose and respectively the most relevant periods in history. We saw how the times, the general demeanour of the masses, and the advancements in science and technology created the perfect settings for the development of each of these literary genres. Then we moved on to eminent philosophers and scientists, whose works, rightly termed as literature, had massive says in the progression of mankind. Thus, starting by looking at the impact of human history on the literary work produced, our discussion reached a full circle, ending with the impact of literature on our path to the modern world. By no means is this an exhaustive study, nor an in depth analysis, yet I hope it serves to provide a good idea of the topic and hopefully, in the reader, generate an interest to know
Literature has changed society. Shakespeare added hundreds of words to the English language through his plays and affected how humans would speak forever. The Analects by Confucius has phrases still repeated today, the most recognizable quote of being “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others”, otherwise known as the golden rule. Without books, the world would be an entirely different place. The society in Fahrenheit 451 is a world without books because of a standard the government put in place.
In the novel “Fahrenheit 451” and the short story “The Portable Phonograph,” Ray Bradbury and Walter Van Tilburg Clark suggest things about today’s society throughout their writings. Bradbury writes about the meaning of knowledge, books, and learning and how they are being mistreated. Clark writes about literature and art and their dilapidated importance in almost the same way Bradbury does. Though they both have different ways of saying it, essentially they are saying the same thing. Bradbury and Clark infer that our society has neglected the importance of knowledge, books, literature, and art throughout their writing.
Continuing with relevant themes, Dana Gioias essay “Why Literature Matters” also provides college readers with a relevant topic that revolves around the theme of how important literature is in society. In the essay poet Gioia goes on to state that literature is beneficial to society because it “encourages the flow of ideas within that society and also implores a more communal approach to education”(“Dana Gioia”). Gioia also states “Literature now competes with an enormous array of electronic media. While no single activity is responsible for the decline in reading, the cumulative presence and availability of electronic alternatives increasingly have drawn Americans away from reading. ”(“Dana Gioia”).Gioia’s essay on “Why Literature Matters”
Since a novel is more enjoyable than a factual text the novel can influence the readers understanding of history. “Happy-ever-after is a fairy-tale notion, not history. I know of no woman who escaped
The question of what exactly is literature comes up every time something is written or read. This question forms many of the English classes that students take all around the world, and this question dominates the literary community. So what exactly is literature and why is it so important? Literature is non-factual, with sensuous language, about particular people or events that have significance. Literature is often figurative and appeals to the emotions.
Literature is frequently comprehended by most people as a mass of writings. In particular, it refers to those reckoned to have the aptitude of being inventive and rational, or which deploy languages which departed from the common usage. Global literature, on the other hand, has two different definitions where the first one explains it as the summation of all literatures of the world, including personal and nationalized work. The second definition is, global literature consists of the world’s classics, or the most sought after works that are read across time, ethnic and language borders in which they were produced and become the intercontinental patrimony of civilization. (Gafrik, 2009, p. 28)
By bringing in more of our own literature, the more chances it has to develop to become powerful and well known in our
Knowledge is Power Dana Gioia makes a compelling case in his essay "Why Literature Matters," that society would suffer as a result of the reduction in reading in America. Former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Dana Gioia argues that literature has the power to educate, inform, and inspire, and that the loss of emotion and intellect could have severe consequences for society as a whole. In this essay, I will analyze how Gioia builds his argument through the use of rhetorical devices, statistics, and personal anecdotes Gioia starts his essay by emphasizing the significance of literature in human history. He observes that "literacy is a form of human expression" and that it has been critical to the advancement of civilization.
Historical criticism strives to cognize a literary work by examining the social, cultural, and intellectual context that essentially includes the artist’s biography and milieu. Historical critics are more concerned with guiding readers through the use of identical connotation rather than analyzing the work’s literary significance. (Brizee and Tompkins). The journey of a historical reading begins with the assessment of how the meaning of a text has altered over time. In many cases, when the historical context of a text is not fully comprehended, the work literature cannot be accurately interpreted.
Since its introduction by the ancient peoples of Mesopotamia, writing has become a means of communication that has changed the way ideas are shared. Writing opened the door for people to go from hunters and gatherers to civilizations. It allowed for communication to be shared not only mouth to mouth, but from letter to letter. In our history, certain documents have allowed certain individuals to change the course of history. There are certain historical documents that have changed the world and tell us very much about history.
In this essay, "Why Literature Matters", author Dana Gioia sets up an argument about literature. Which she uses various ways to persuade her audience be in favor of her proposal; by showing statistic evidence, facts, and historical evidence, as well as some ironies, diction, and the appeals to reader's emotion. First of all, Gioia begins with strong appeals to reader's logos by clearly laying out the statistic source. For example, "According to the 2002 survey of Public Participation in the Arts, the reading population of the Americans is declining. " In turn, is an attempt to point out the thesis statement and make the readers to think out about this topic wile reading through her essay.
In the article, “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia, he states that the decline of interest in literature—especially from young teens—will have a negative outcome in society. Notably, he informs the readers by utilizing strong vocabulary, as well as rhetorical appeals to persuade his audience that the decline in reading will have a negative outcome. This allows readers to comprehend his views and join his side of the argument. Gioia’s word choice assists in showing the magnitude of the text by stressing the meaning and importance of his argument.
World literature has been a fundamental part of understanding our society, it has archived and developed the events and thoughts that made the world in which we live today. Literature is typically linked with philosophy and early thinkers, who questioned who we are, where do we came from and what is our purpose in life. Even though, the study of philosophy has given us the chance to understand more about this topic, I personally think that over the years, it provides more questions than answers, and the more we dig in, the more questionings will show up. Our first reading on Poetics by Aristotle, focuses mainly on Greek tragedy and epic poetry. Tragedies started as religious ceremonies performed at festivals in honor to the god Dionysus, but over time it has changed into a secular.
Franz Kafka, a novelist, once stated that, "A book is an ax for the frozen sea within. " The quote compares the human condition to that of a frozen sea, and literature as the axe that breaks through and unlocks it. Literature is something that should cause individuals to learn more about themselves through books that express strong messages about humanity. Powerful messages that the reader recognizes are messages that invoke thinking from the reader, otherwise it would be impact less.
What is the role of literature? Literature is important in everyday life because it forms a connection with the individual. Literature allows the reader to visit places, experience events, and create and expand upon new ideas. It creates a way for individuals to document their thoughts and experiences in a way that is accessible to others through fictional and non-fictionalized accounts of an experience. “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar and Underground Airlines by Ben Winters are separated by 120 years.