1.) Stories add to reality.

In the quotation by C.S. Lewis, Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe
it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this
respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become (Importance of
Literature). Books present everyday situations that often occur in real life, yet they are
depicted in a stylistic manner that causes us to relate to the characters on a personal level
as well as think beyond solely the words presented on the page. A fictional story about

6 Reasons Why Literature is Important
As an English teacher, I have noticed the lack of enthusiasm toward and, more specifically,
the overwhelming unapparent sense of importance for literature amongst high school
students like yourselves. Literature is crucial to society due to its documentation of
historical information, its ability to allow us to better understand the human condition, and
as a powerful weapon for propaganda. Here are 6 more detailed reasons why

posted on April 15, 2014 at 5:00pm EDT


Diane Cascioli
BuzzFeed Staff

war can lead to a person ruminating on general issues about war and violence in society;
the plot line his food for thought. Literature, no matter the genre or fashion, thrives on
creativity and nudges the reader to use his imagination to ultimately grow as an
individual, which I have seen many of you students do without realizing each day in
class. There are many references in everyday life to works of literature, so knowledge of
these pieces helps to better understand the world around us.

2.) Functions as an information base.
Whenever were faced with a roadblock or question in life, we go to the written word
for answers and confirmation. These books provide us with the necessary information we
seek, often in the form of nonfiction, research-based bindings: research works by
famous inventors and literary works by notable scientists often narrate stories of their
groundbreaking discoveries (Importance of Literature). Scientific and legal notes,
as well as technical writings like mathematics and logistics, are considered a part of

literature. Ongoing developments in technology and medicine are documented to allow
the rest of the world in the present and future to access this information with greater ease.
These authentic sources of facts and other information can best be found in books.










3.) Keeps history from repeating itself.
As George Santayana once said, Those who cannot remember the past are
condemned to repeat it (George Santayana). Literature helps us to record the past in
order to keep us knowledgeable so as not repeat certain issues in the future, such as war
and prejudice. Even if a work may seem to simply be a poem about nature, the way in
which it is composed can reveal a lot about the time period during which it was created.
Since we cannot go back in time ourselves, literature functions as a time traveling
machine for us: Ithelps one better understand the past from a perspective one could
never have on their own (Importance of Literature in Society?). By documenting the
past, society can learn from it and innovate in order to consistently progress forward.
4.) Connects people with their individual cultures as well as those of others.
Literature has allowed many generations throughout history to make discoveries
about civilizations through languages depicted in various recovered books. These pieces
carry on beyond the span of a single life, which is the means by which many archaic
languages have been preserved. High school students in the critical stages of their lives
where they are finding themselves often reach out to books to research their cultures and
better identify with them. Comparative literature studies and examines distinct trends
and traditions of the written word throughout the globe. Being exposed to information
about religions and practices unlike our own helps us to develop broadened morals and an
unbiased sense of world: Its a way to see the world through the eyes of other diverse
cultures and a means to develop a deeper understanding of our own (Comparative
Literature and Culture).













5.) Allows us to better understand the human condition.
Many works of literature establish a recurring theme or motif that prompts the reader
to delve into thought beyond the limits of the words on the paper, to think in terms of
human nature and their individual impact on society. For instance, Robert Frost
consistently discusses the concept of self-knowledge through nature in the majority of his
writing: [h]e often includes an interaction between a human narrator and a natural
phenomenon in order to ultimately reach self-reflection as a result of the experience
(Robert Frost). This prominent figure of nature as almost a separate being in the
universe allows the speakers in his poems to reach realizations about the human
condition. His work is always derived from an anonymous human speaker, which makes
the stories more relatable to an average reader. Frosts ability, as well as that of many
other writers, to establish inner meanings in the form of recurring themes in literature
allows us to better understand the world in which we live and the people that surround us.










6.) Serves as a source of propaganda.
Propaganda through works of literature can be established using certain rhetorical
techniques such as pathos or logos in order to make society question unjust actions they
are mindlessly participating in with an ultimately positive effect. However, it can just as
easily be used to cause harm. Language is a powerful tool, which dictators are often the
first to realize; evidenced by works such as The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx
and Friedrich Engels. These dictators often attempt to gain the support of academics first
(including historians, writers, professors) that have a strong influence on younger
generations in order to create this foundation of propaganda. Through articles and books,
academics with exceptional persuasive writing abilities would be the first to expose the
wrongdoing that is occurring under a dictator, so these leaders attempt to brainwash this
group of people first in order to avoid a rebellion. Thus, literature is crucial because if
someone has an idea against a scandal in society but does not have the ability or means to
express it, no change will be made. As Marx may have ironically said in his book, The
philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is
to change it, (Karl Marx Quotes), and literature is the means by which positive change
can occur.





Writing is crucial in order to for people to access an outlet for stress through reading,
so they can learn about historical topics, as well as be able to use their imaginations to
visualize a world from the narrators perspective. In this way, literature is essential in
society due to its ability to document history, by allowing us to better understand the
human condition, and as a powerful weapon for propaganda. Write On, Kids.












Works Cited
"Comparative Literature and Culture." College of Arts and Sciences. University of San
Franciso, 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <https://www.usfca.edu/artsci/mcl/comp-
lit/>.
"George Santayana." Wikiquote. Wiki, Apr. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.

<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_Santayana>.
"Importance of Literature in Society?" Ask. Ask.com, 2014. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.ask.com/question/importance-of-literature-in-society>.
"Karl Marx Quotes." GoodReads. Goodreads Incorporated, 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes>.
Oak, Manali. "Importance of Literature." Buzzle. Buzzle.com, 2014. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html>.
"Robert Frost." Poems and Poets. Poetry Foundation, 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/robert-frost>.