Argument for the importance of American Literature in college english dept - Essay Example

The issue of American literature in academia has increasingly become controversial. The administration thinks that American literature hasbecome redundant in the age of technology and internet. Indeed, the administration’s concern is broadly focused on the budgetary constraints. But the importance of American literature cannot be discounted for the overall benefit of people at large. America is one the most effective and inspiring democracies of the world that thrives on multicultural societies.

Equality and freedom are intrinsic part of it culture that have evolved from the culture of slavery that the Europeans had brought with them when Columbus had discovered it. American literature is the major media that helps the new generation to understand the historical perspectives and its evolving values. It provides the people with the opportunity of creative imagination. Literature, especially American literature is highly relevant because it helps people to understand the intricacies of human interaction and psychology through the experiences of other people.

Llosa (2001) says that even though the technology has redefined the priorities of people, the relevance and importance of literature can never lose its real meaning. The appeal of the literature is primarily focused on providing the reader with an opportunity to grow and learn. At the same time, it allows the reader to ponder over the events and try to use the same in his or her life for personal and professional growth. Indeed, readers are able to observe the changes because they can apply creative imagination to the process of evolving times.

The books can stir up the emotions of the readers and they can also be the greatest source of inspiration for those who wish to look beyond the petty selfness of racism, prejudices and religious bigotry. Homer, Socrates, Tolstoy, Shakespeare are as important a figure as any other contemporary writers. We understand them because we can identify ourselves in their writing. Indeed, literature provides the human race with the means to express their deepest feeling. It also provides a facilitating platform for the generations to learn and expand on knowledge garnered through literature and literary account of history.

In fact American literature is important because it gives one a significant medium to express one’s gratitude and patriotic feelings which cascades down to generations, inculcating pride.Most importantly, literature promotes creativity through visionary paradigms. It provides expression for multitude of emotions that are part and parcel of human race and inherent part of literature in one way or another. In fact, literature is basically radical in its content and helps us to questions the dynamics of the world.

It gives us opportunities to view it from the different perspectives. The technology can never replace the books or provide the readers with all the excitement, pleasure that he derives by identifying with characters and events. One can therefore, reiterate that literature is intrinsic part of history and significantly contributes to the understanding of human psychology that goes beyond the constraints of racial divide and geographical boundaries. The American literature is rich in its diasporas and provokes creative imagery amongst the readers.

It should therefore, must maintain higher hierarchy in the importance of academic curricula within and outside the academia.(words: 529)ReferenceLlosa, Mario Vargas. (2001). The Premature Obituary of the book: Why Literature? Retrieved from: