Introduction
Literature is defined as any writings that have expressions to ideas which are very characteristic and essential. These are writings that are considered to have a super high artistic rank. Literature examples are novels, essays, poetry, history, etc. So basically, literature is the profession of a writer, poet or author.
The Purpose of Studying Literature
All work of literature are reflections of the culture producing it. If you read through a literary work you will see the culture represented because an author is more likely to base their work according to their culture. The more you read different literature works the more you will understand and differentiate cultures, which are reflected even by the choice of words ("7 Reasons Why Literature Is So Important", 2015) . Literature reflects a society by reflecting on its people, their way of life and the activities they are involved which are either spiritual, physical or mental activities (Albrecht, 1956) . It also explains the religions and traditions of different societies. It is important to study literature so that you can be enlightened on these societal aspects and understand and appreciate other cultures.
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You get to know how literature also influences the behavior of people of a society in a good way and also in an undesirable way (Albrecht, 1956) . In the past literature focused on cultural values and norms of a society which has greatly influenced the behavior of the society for generations. It has reflected the stresses and ethos of particular societies which has made the people maintain the cultural values of their society. Because of literature, societies have not lost their culture and norms, at least not completely.
A society’s historical development is also reflected in literature where it shows how its culture has developed and changed with time (Albrecht, 1956) . You get to understand which cultures were adopted or borrowed and have been integrated into the cultures of the society. Literature shows how different societies have interacted and influenced each other. For example, when the Europeans colonized African countries, they really influenced Africans lifestyle, diet and fashion. This is all reflected in literature about colonialism which is studied in schools. Reading a work of literature make you understand about different times, people and places. Cultural values change with time. You get to know the time the work was written and relate with it in your own current time and values. It is important how literature reflects its time because you understand the behavior of characters involved at their time without judging them based on your time and values.
How Literature can Affect Me
Studying literature can influence my understanding about other cultures and my interest of learning something different from the culture know and the society I was born in. It can make me appreciate other cultures and times more and relate them with my culture, instead of being skeptical and judgmental out of ignorance ("7 Reasons Why Literature Is So Important", 2015) . Literature can broaden my knowledge about other cultures, people, societies and worlds. I learn about new places and new things that I have had no idea about ("Why Our Students Study Literature", 2019) . It can really expand my horizons and my mind. Studying makes me learn more about myself, my culture and the society that I live in. By studying literature, I discover more about myself and relate with the characters that are reflected.
References.
7 Reasons Why Literature Is So Important. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.theodysseyonline.com/7-reasons-why-literature-is-so-important
Albrecht, M. (1956). Does Literature Reflect Common Values?. American Sociological Review , 21 (6), 722. doi: 10.2307/2088424
Why is the way literature reflects its time and cultural values important?. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-way-literature-reflects-its-time-cultural-517899
Why Our Students Study Literature. (2019). Retrieved from https://gustavus.edu/english/whystudyliterature.php
