Humans Speak to Humans through Literature - Research Paper Example

?Humans Speak To Humans through Literature Art has remained to be a part of human culture throughout the history of humanity. Literature can be described as a form of art that uses words or writing to express the ideas of an artist. Although this description narrows down the meaning of literature to written work, literature includes both the published and unpublished work. Thus, the significance of literature to the society cannot be underestimated. Humans speak or communicate through literature. This aspect of literature stands out as the most significant factor of literature. As a medium through which humans communicate, literature has to remain relevant despite the changing time or trends (Hyatt 216). Throughout our studies in literature, it is evident that literature is divided into different fields such as short stories, poems, narratives, and novels. If literature has to remain relevant to the society, then the different subgroups of literature require having a common basis. A critical observation on the different subclasses of literature proves that there is a universal asset or literature. This aspect enhances relevance of literature and hence its continuity and development throughout different generations. This essay will therefore analyse factors that enhance the relevance of literature and its interconnectivity across different generations. Literature has been accused of being biased towards the past generations. In this context, the present generation feels that literature dwells a lot on past occurrences and events with little or no concern about the future and the present generation. This aspect of classic literature has provided basis for the criticism of modern literature. However, different criticism on modern literature lack validity since this aspect is critical in the development of modern literature and its significance. However, this model does not nullify the significance or relevance of modern literature. This is because it only creates a firm basis for the creation of modern literature but also connects different generations. Creation requires the creator to have something at hand or a basis on which the work is established. This factor applies to literature since literature artist requires a basis for their work. Artists also require a point of reference and therefore experiences, are critical. The overdependence of experiences in modern literature is therefore, a basis for the creation of modern work. Focusing on experiences also enable artists to compare the past and present life experiences. This comparison strengthens or provides classical literature with a foundation and, it is not a source of irrelevance. The bias of literature towards written literature results from the need to preserve the work of an artist. Although there are numerous ways of storing literature materials, writing remains as the most preferred method. This preference is in relation to the artists and the audience. Different forms of literature including oral narrations are being transformed into written literature. Despite its significance in literature, writing did not exist in the entire history of humanity. This indicates that most works of literature have not been put down in form of writing. It is also obvious that most of the past human experiences have not been written down (Rokeach 167). There is fear that we might lose our heritage that has been opposed down from one generation to the next in the form of oral narration. Over emphasizing on past life, experiences by classic literature results from the obligation of literature on preserve such works and not a source of irrelevance. Incorporating literature in modern technology minded generation has been an uphill task for artists. This aspect has contributed to the claim that modern literature is irrelevant. In this case, literature is irrelevance because it does not capture the significant issue or features of modern generation. This notion however depends on the perspective of an observer since a rational minded person will be able to visualize that similar moral principles govern the past and the present generations. Most works of literature revolves around the morals of the society. In most cases, artist wish to unearth issues that of moral concern and where possible provide solutions that would enable people to cope with moral challenges. Most works of literature are meant to educate or warn the society about the negativities of immoral behaviors. Morals of the society are universal and they are independent of time (Vygotsky 213). Social ethics or morals are the accepted code of behavior according to a given society. In this case, the morals of a given society will define both the acceptable or unacceptable behavior according to the notion of right and wrong. For example stealing is unacceptable and independent of societies, countries, or generations. In addition, the moral of a given society does not depreciate with time. The morals of the past generations are therefore, similar to the morals of the current and future generations. Changes in lifestyles have been confused with changes in morals. However, the two factors are not dependent despite having a close relationship. Morals of a society are fundamental to the society and invariable despite the minor differences in lifestyles. Modern literature such as science fiction would have the same moral teachings as those of a narrative from an ancient ethnology. The only difference in the two pieces of art would be the form of presentation. The settings and the artist’s approach would also be different. Despite these differences, the two works of literature would have similar morals teachings. The current issues on ethical use of technology are similar to ethical issues of the past generations despite having different settings. Literature has a purpose that has enabled it to retain its relevance despite the subsequent changes in the society. Although the teaching and warning aspect of literature is not usually celebrated, literature has other sides that have remained celebrated across different generations. Most people around the globe read literature with the aim of being entertained. Artist relies on such opportunities to pass their moral teaching or lesson. Although people have different languages, the language of entertainment is constant. A person is therefore susceptible to the information in a certain piece of literature as a person from the same society in which the work of art was Witten. It is evident that modern generation is in pursuit of entertainment or happiness more than the past generations. After a hard day work, people always want to relax and refresh their minds. Reading a poem, a novel or a short story is among the most popular methods that people use to refresh their minds. Through literature, people lose themselves to a utopian world where problems do not exist. In literature, this aspect is referred to as the “circle of disbelief” (Gill 67). A good piece of literature will therefore, enable an audience to disconnect form the real world and immerse him or herself in the ideal or utopian world. The entertainment aspect in a piece of literature is independent of the time of creation or country. A person is likely to enjoy a story or a poem in the same way a person from the past generation would have enjoyed it. In addition, the entertainment aspect of literature is not affected by technology advancements. The thrilling effects of a piece of literature would remain the same regardless of the method or medium of presentation. An orally narrated story would thus have similar entertainment effect as a written story. The same story would have similar effect regardless of its form. Thus, the entertainment quality of literature connects modern and past literature. Literatures from different parts of the world also have entertainment as a common factor and, hence a source of relevance. Literature is not only intended to entertain or please the audience but to teach and offer instruction. This universal characteristic of literature has endured in both the classic and ancient literature. Although different societies strive to achieve perfection, it is evident that this status is not achievable. The ability of an artist or a piece of literature to achieve classic status depends on their effort to explore complicated social problems. Different literature artists such as Harry Porter and Shake Spears always have a utopian society on the back of their mind. However, this is not achievable due to the dynamic nature of the society (Keen 98). It is evident that everyone would like to live in an ideal world where good deeds are rewarded abundantly. This is however, not achievable due to the human nature of vulnerability to defects and human mistakes. However, this is not a valid excuse for living in current world. Therefore, literature has the responsibility of instructing the society on how to achieve perfection. Literature also has the responsibility of highlighting mistakes or factors that separate societies from anticipated or expected lifestyle (Nabila 98). This role is universal and independent of generation. The significance of this role determines the significance of literature. This makes literature to remain relevant to readers across different countries and generations. The need to achieve perfection status is common to both the past and present generation. Human life is composed of conflicts. People exist through conflicts with other people and their natural environment. The ability of humanity to withstand such conflicts is what determines their ability to survive. The world is full of conditions that are unfavorable to humanity. Such conditions can be either natural or manmade. Artificial conflicts are conflicts created among human beings on their efforts to achieve life satisfaction or create themselves a sphere of influence (Blaine and Grundy 109). The scarcity of resources has also contributed to conflict among human beings. The reasons behind such conflicts vary according to geographical location and generation. However, it is evident that different conflicts have similar fundamental causes. Such causes are independent of geographical location and period. The main role of literature is to expose such conflicts and provide compatible solutions where applicable. Such conflicts will remain as part of humanity and therefore, literature will remain relevant. The current generation desire knowing the most appropriate methods of dealing with conflicts as the past generations was. This indicates that literature will remain to be part of a given society independent of time. Conflicts are also major characteristics that unite different forms of literature across the globe. Conclusion Humans communicate through literature and, therefore literature defines humanity. Despite the generation, form, and geographical variations, literature remains relevant and universal. Literature defines humanity through different generations. The bias towards past events is a characteristic of literature that creates a basis for modern literature. Literature is universal and relevant because it is concerned with the morals of the society. Literature also demonstrates how a utopian society would look like. The entertainment aspect of literature also makes it to remain relevant across different generations and countries. Finally, literature revolves around human conflict and possible solutions to such conflicts. These factors of literature are relevant and their relevance implies that literature remains relevant across different generations. Works Cited Blaine, Virginia and Grundy, Isobel. The feminist companion to literature in English. Women writers from the middle ages to present. London: BT Batsford Ltd, 1990. Print. Gill, Richard. Mastering English Literature, 3rd Edition. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. Print. Hyatt, Mayor. Prints and People, Metropolitan Museum of Art/Princeton. New York: free press, 2003. Print. Keen, Paul. On literacy and its teachings: Issues in English education. New York: Sage, 1990. Print. Nabila, Tanvir. Significance of The Study of Literature. 2011. Web 14 May 2012. < http://www.classic-enotes.com/english-literature/significance-of-the-study-of-literature/> Rokeach, Milton. The nature of human values. New York: Free Press, 1973. Print. Vygotsky, Leed. Mind in society: the development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, UK: Harvard University Press, 1978. Print. Read More