Why We Study Literature
Why we study literature, and its influence on the 21st century.
Man has for many centuries, used literature as a medium to express his thoughts, to educate and inform the masses, and literature has been used as a textual tool for pleasure. With the coming and strong influences of the ‘Technological New Age’, the fundamentals of literature (reading to educate oneself) have been side tracked to make way for mass media and giant companies that produce technological gadgets such as cellular phones, iPods and play games. In-between the riff raff of the New Age, children now do not have the time to sit down and read a book; therefore, the only literature children come across is at school, including the limited time spent in a library, solely used for educational purposes other than reading for general knowledge. Other than that, the internet is used for research and projects; although, one might argue that this may be included as another form of literature. Authors like JK Rowling, are often praised for leading the comeback for traditional literature – more children around the world are reading Harry Potter and are anticipating future titles from this author and others; although, it may not be wise to rely on such few authors to make children take a keen interest on reading. Instead of sitting down to read a book, children now would rather go see the movie (ironically, Harry Potter books have been adapted to movies). One tends to wonder if there really is room for literature in the New Age.
The New Age has brought with it popular culture, with the driving force behind it being television. Channels such as MTV and the sports channels now dominate the generation X (youth between the ages of 12 – 21) market. Fortunately, a number of channels are left primarily to serve as an educational function. What has also brought on the neglect, is the fact that most children are now interested in studying to go into the fields of commerce, maths and science; therefore, you
Man has for many centuries, used literature as a medium to express his thoughts, to educate and inform the masses, and literature has been used as a textual tool for pleasure. With the coming and strong influences of the ‘Technological New Age’, the fundamentals of literature (reading to educate oneself) have been side tracked to make way for mass media and giant companies that produce technological gadgets such as cellular phones, iPods and play games. In-between the riff raff of the New Age, children now do not have the time to sit down and read a book; therefore, the only literature children come across is at school, including the limited time spent in a library, solely used for educational purposes other than reading for general knowledge. Other than that, the internet is used for research and projects; although, one might argue that this may be included as another form of literature. Authors like JK Rowling, are often praised for leading the comeback for traditional literature – more children around the world are reading Harry Potter and are anticipating future titles from this author and others; although, it may not be wise to rely on such few authors to make children take a keen interest on reading. Instead of sitting down to read a book, children now would rather go see the movie (ironically, Harry Potter books have been adapted to movies). One tends to wonder if there really is room for literature in the New Age.
The New Age has brought with it popular culture, with the driving force behind it being television. Channels such as MTV and the sports channels now dominate the generation X (youth between the ages of 12 – 21) market. Fortunately, a number of channels are left primarily to serve as an educational function. What has also brought on the neglect, is the fact that most children are now interested in studying to go into the fields of commerce, maths and science; therefore, you
References: • Mackean, I. (2006, July 22). English Literature: • Shiela Stienburg Introduction to Communications • Sirje Kiin, "On the Understanding of Literature, or What 's Beyond Literature", Keel ja Kirjandus, 1998, no. 10, 728.