The Study of Literature
2 July 2006Introduction:
The Study of Literature
Every college student study literature. Some study it well, and profit while enjoying doing their assignments. Studying well means much more than simply reading through an article. Literature, in particular, usually means much more than it says, and does more than just make statements. Literature presents life.
Studying literature well thus means getting beyond the surface statements to the heart of the experience itself. In fiction, studying means more reading to find out whether the headhunters are eluded, more than knowing whether the boy like me gets the girl like my dream. In poetry, studying means more than summarizing in unadorned prose; more than daydreaming with book in lap. I drama, studying means more than reading to find out “how a character died.”
One may read for excitement, for wish-fulfillment, for literal understanding, for escape, for the curiosity – are all legitimate reasons for reading. But all are less than enough.
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