The Impact of Literature
According to mirriam-webster.com, the official definition of literature is “Writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest.” In my opinion, a piece should be described as ‘literature’ only if it has a broad impact on a large number of people by using one of many universal elements, for example timelessness, the ability to teach a life lesson, inspiration of change, and an effect on personal growth. These four elements allow literature to make an impact on our lives and contribute to both individuals and society as a whole.
Literature guides its readers to deeper understandings of life as a whole and “makes new things familiar and familiar things new.” (Johnson). Because of this, literature affects individuals who make alterations to society in response. True literature uses universal elements to influence people to change both their lives and the lives of others. Through works of literature, people’s personal opinions are changed in many ways that affect life as a whole.
-Karissa C.
Karissa,
ReplyDeleteits interesting to see that our definitions of literature are pretty much identical showing that most people have more or less the same opinion of what they believe literature really is.
-Amanda
I agree with this and interestingly it reminds me of the premise of "The Age of Essay," where the author tells us that "one learns nothing from what one expects" and therefore encourages all writers to deviate from the norm and explore new ideas, teaching society something new and at the same time teaching something to oneself as well.
ReplyDelete-Lian