Is Literature Important?

A language is used to communicate. If it weren’t for language we would barely be able to express ourselves effectively. I mean, how difficult is it to understand a cat or a baby? We are able to understand the basics through their actions, but what if it isn’t what they mean? That’s why we need language.

Once a language is spoken by large enough a community, people start using it to express much more than the basics. They move on to expressing themselves; the deeper feelings that stay silent most of the time, but are inevitably present in a normal human being. They start using language to speak of emotions, experiences and many other things, but in a much more sophisticated way. And that’s what literature is for.

People have used literature to speak about things more eloquently while allowing the reader to interpret their writings in different ways. Once the words have been set on paper, it’s all about interpretation. Famous authors like Shakespeare and Hemingway are well known for their gifts at literature. 

Now we can get down to the burning question: is literature important? Do we even need it? Literature helps people see and feel other people’s experiences like one of their own, and it opens people’s eyes to things they might have been narrow minded about. Literature is all about opening up your mind to new things (and reading well-written texts), so it’s up to you to decide whether you need it.

SERENE PALLEYGEDERA