Why_Read_Literature.pptVIP

Why Read Literature? By Dr. Robert Sheppard Tsinghua University [C Copyright Robert Sheppard 2006 All Rights Reserved] What is Litera-ture? 1. Literature uses normal means of communication: Language, Symbols, Images, Stories, Shared Cultural Heritage, Codes of Understanding; 2. BUT, Literature uses them: More Completely More Subtly More Aesthetically or Beautifully More Meaningfully More Sensitively as to: Form Sensual Experience Rhythm, Repetition,Contrast Thematic Tension Why Read Litera-ture? PRIMARY QUESTION OF OUR TALK: What Benefits, alongside intrinsic the intrinsic fun of reading does the Reader derive from reading good Literature? What Benefits does society or humanity as a whole derive from the social institution of reading literature? Copyright Robert Sheppard 2006 All Rights Reserved Theses or Hypot-heses EXPLORATION OF POSSIBLE ANSWERS: I will suggest several “THESES” or hypotheses intended not as complete answers but as tentative explorations or suggestions to stimulate your own further thinking---open to challenge, change, and further evolution by you and others. The Wisdom or Enlight-enment Thesis MEANING: Literature explores the texture and meaning of human experience in a complex way INSIGHT: This leads to Insight, Rich Reflection and Wisdom about our lives and human experience. PERSONAL WISDOM: The Literary Artist or Writer may have deeper Wisdom to communicate as a result of deeper sensitivity or experience. CULTURAL WISDOM: Literature also transmits through its Tradition the Collective and Accumulated Wisdom of Many Generations The Explorat-ion or Heuristic Thesis THE EXPLORATION THESIS: Holds that literature creates POSSIBLE WORLDS or situations allowing exploration of HUMAN NATURE and REALITY. KAI YAN JIE---Through literature we widen our horizons of experience and imagination. EXAMPLES: SIR THOMAS MORE’S UTOPIA, PLATO’S REPUBLIC, OR ALDOUS HUXLEY’S SCIENTIFIC DYSTOPIA, BRAVE NEW WORLD. SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH creates a world which