martes, 31 de marzo de 2009

Literature in Education


There is no doubt that there are many conceptions, interpretations or definitions about what Literature means or is. However, all of us have our own point of view of this issue because we are all different people. Referring to a definition given by some students “Literature is the expression of culture using language to express it, such as writing, speaking and listening.” we can analyze that literature is certainly an interpretation and a way to understand the world. The writer’s intention is to reflect, show and invite the reader toward his inside, including his feelings, thoughts and even an ideology of the culture and world. While a reader reads, this one is involves into another world dimension with a different perspective of life. This fact is mainly important, because there is an interaction between the reader and the writer. This interaction we can call it a dialogue for the reason that, the reader can connect his/her experience of life with writer’s life. And when this happens is entirely magical and meaningful. In the same manner, Literature’s implications in Education should have the same purpose or influence. According to this, Tzvetan Todorov has said “literary study would take as its aim to help us reach meaning for we postulate that meaning, in turn, guides us toward knowledge of the human, something important for everyone” (page. 30). For this reason, Students should be motivated to read but in a meaningful way. Education should use Literature as a powerful tool to give students the opportunity to think, to be critical with society, and also with their own life