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Literature Goes Beyond Life

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Literature goes beyond life

"Literature goes beyond life. It is art; it is an imaginative creation that can tell truths gracefully, subtly through narrative, poetry and the movement of characters on a stage. Any imaginative act suggests possibility, and this is another reason to continue studying literature" (Florence Dee Boodakian).

Literature has been the most influential art in the history of man. It passes down information from one generation to the next and unites all people from different places with a diverse culture. For examples, in Shakespeare, Walker, and Frost's works, it teaches and inspires us in lots of ways; emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. It also initiates change throughout our lifetime. It affects how people live and see the world in a bigger picture; another example of Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" it inspired and touches the hearts of many, that heritage is what binds one’s culture.

Literature instills the skills needed by an individual to analyze critical things, to make a significant impact and differences in their lives and future. Literature is not a repository old scrolls and tomes, but great laboratory where the relation between man and the environment has been analyzed, experimented with and redefined over the history of civilization. The act of reading literature can change and shape how we perform and study things. Literature is the expression of oneself and the social life and thoughts through language that resemble one's heritage and culture.

Poetry is unique because of its universality that goes beyond the social class and tribal or racial class. It does not deal with one particular society or community but its entirety. It is a work of art and conveys of rhyme and metaphor. “It enables it to go to the heart of human existence with purity and power” (thegreatcourses.com). The spoken word literature has a greater appeal to people in the society compared to the written poetry as it might not reach all people. However, it is known that “The older poets and writers had and still attract many people; this led drew the attention of Aristotle to affirm that human action is the proper subject of poetry. Literature has a significant role to play in the society as it serves the need of the populace; it voices their inmost desires and noblest aspirations” (Fabiszak et al, 94). For examples, the great works of Hemmingway in “Hills Like White Elephant “and Dickinson in “Some keep the Sabbath going to Church.” Both poets use metaphor terms to convey the meanings of their poetry, which touches the heart of many in a fuzzy feeling kind of way.

Literature is not just a form of entertainment. The greatest ability is the power that it has to reflect the world that we live. We live in the society where the impact of social, political and environmental issues incessantly felt and posing a critical challenge to the society. Therefore, literature can initiate changes in humanity and open the minds of individuals and beyond. Literature provides the ability for people to express the creativity and the innovatively means of interpreting the environment and things in it. It a source of entertainment, and escapism, as many works of fictions, are at first related to things that happen in the real life situation. Other examples, in “Everyday Use” by Walker and “Home Burial” by Frost. Walker defines that one should not lose the sense of one's heritage. One should always appreciate and value the everyday living because that is how one would embrace one's self-identity. Frost, on the other hand, portray in "Home Burial”, that without love, understanding, and communication; there is no peace and happiness. Both writers inspire and teach us to have an open mind and adapt to other things that are out of our norm, which defines how we learn and grow.

Literature can also be seen in dramas, violent thrillers and romance novels full of betrayals and deceit. Numerous notable pieces of literature have stood the test of time, for example, the recited epics of “Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare with full of deception and misconception, exactly how he indented the play to be. Stage performance and listening to music gives an opportunity for people to develop the mind and soul, which leads to the play of “Gem of the Ocean” by Wilson. It also teaches us that one should never lose track of one's culture, identity and sense of self. Literature comes in different forms, but it also has a universal impact on the mind, such as reading a good literature will engage the mind to absorb and retain information that takes the reader to a new world (Weinstein, 78).
Another greater aspect of literature is education. We learn what happened in the past through literature. History is documented into literature. Filmmakers and playwrights use the storyline to bring the real picture of events with a realistic setting as a backdrop. This is seen in the film of “Much Ado About Nothing” that shows the creator's interpretation of events and the audience are left with no doubt but to question the validity of Shakespeare works.

Literature is an art that serves its purpose of existence; it is informative and reflects the life of the society. The conception of the depth of literature is not much related to the doctrines of truths. Rather, we try to understand the forces behind these social changes. Literature reflects the truth in the society through various aspects such as narrative and poetry; it serves to draw the attention of the people to the reality of life. Therefore, leading people forward towards a better life and thought. It, therefore, has a role of freeing, dilate and arousing the human mind. Therefore, it goes beyond life in emancipating the mind from limitations that are bound to happen and arouse it to the consciousness of the change of life. Literature acts as a mirror of the society as it reflects and depends on the profundity and breadth of the life that it paints. Although, sociology, philosophy, and religion play a significant role in the literature, it may not impart knowledge or moral instruction directly as literature does. Therefore, writing goes beyond life in giving knowledge to people, and there is a need for studying literature. It helps to open one's mind to a border perspective of life and inner peace.

This course has taught me to accept who I am and not trying to be somebody who I am not. In the end, it is my heritage that made me who I am today and without the knowledge of what I learned today, I cannot have restored myself to a healthier and happy life.

Works Cited

Fabiszak, Jacek, Ewa Urbaniak-Rybicka, and Bartosz Wolski. “Crossroads in Literature and Culture.” Berlin: Springer, 2013. Web. 10, Oct. 2015. P 94.
Florence Dee Boodakian. Custom Literary Works. – “EssaysWriters.com.”. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2015

Understanding Literature and Life: Drama, Poetry and “thegreatcourses.com.” N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2015

Weinstein, Arnold L. “Understanding Literature and Life”: Part Ii. Chantilly, VA: Teaching Co, 2000. Sound recording. P 78.

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