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Kenneth Martinez

Professor Goshal

ENWR 106

October 24, y

You may ask yourself, what is literature? Simply, literature is writing. Its in the form of

expression, making connections with the ideas brought out in poetry, novels, biographies and

essays. From the works of Milton and his Paradise Lost to Green Eggs and Ham by the

famous Dr. Seuss, can all be defined as literature. Some say literature are just books, but they fail

to recognize the artistic merit that literature carries, which is why literature serves for two main

purposes, to educate and entertain their readers.

To educate oneself in literature is to go beyond our first impression, capturing the texts idea

and technique. Its safe to say that most literary works invite inquiry to the reader, which is why I

believe that literature is meant to educate. For example, in James Wrights poem, Lying in a

Hammock at William Duffys Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota, we come across an image of

peace and nature. The poem itself induces serenity line after line but it all comes to an end with

the conclusion of I have wasted my life . This very last line is exactly what the author

intended, so that we can look back and reflect how I have wasted my life.

The message I came across, perhaps to most, was to not waste time. A valuable lesson but

like I said before, you must go beyond your first impression to learn more. There really isn't a

right or wrong answer but to assume and learn a new analysis from literature is what its all about.

During my personal analysis, I began to question why the author ended his poem with such an

unexpected conclusion and why the build up for such an image just to imply that it was a waste

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of time. I began to realize that for that same exact reason is why he bashed his own poem, to say

that only by wasting your life, can you experience the sunlight between two pines, gaze Into

the distances of the afternoon and notice the bronze butterfly, Asleep on the black trunk.

Knowing what others think also helps us decide what we think, so its good to read others

interpretations.

In Bruce Henricksens, online journal article excerpt, we find his perspective and his take on

this poem. Throughout his article he mentions how time is an important theme which I can agree

with. Although, his method of reading closely and relating the theme of time to other words in

the text, is something I couldn't grasp onto. Literature does this, it challenges you to synthesize

patterns and symbols to make connections with the reading. For instance in Henricksens article

he says The emptiness of the houses begins his awareness of lost community, in other words

people have moved on with there day already but its something you really dont catch in the

poem itself. In the poem they mention the empty house but only to point out that cows are nearby

Down the ravine behind the empty house, The cowbells follow one another.The thing with

literature is that at times it can be vague and other times very distinguishable but in the end we

all learn something from it and I do believe it shapes society in some way. For example, after

reading women's literature one can be motivated to become a feminist. My point is that literature

is a reflective piece that shapes our way of thinking

Not only does literature educate our minds, its also for mere pleasure. To say that literature is

entertaining, is a given. We use it to escape from our own involvement in society because lets

face it our lives at times can be boring. Literature is like a roller coaster of emotions which is

why its entertaining to us. We love to see the sadness, horror, laughter and excitement in the

things we read. In William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet the tragedy of crossd lovers is

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what keeps the readers entertained. Its a thrill ride of love and violence, will love prevail?

Whatever the emotion is, we get pleasure out of it.

As always, everyone will have there own opinion, as to what the importance of literature is

and how it serves in the society we live in today. You may like it for mere pleasure or the

challenge it comes with.