The Purpose of Literature

Welcome to class!

We are thrilled to have you in our class!!

In today’s class, we will be talking about the purpose of literature. Enjoy the class!

Literature in English is taught at various secondary school levels to achieve the following purposes:

Inculcate in the students the entertainment and instructive values of literature as a follow-up to the literary skill learnt in the Junior Secondary School.
Give students a rich and well rounded humanistic education. This can be achieved through broadening the cultural horizon of the students by exposing them to works that are varied in perspective and yet universal in application.
Equip the students to develop the capacity for independent thought and judgement.
Develop student’s ability to respond appropriately and independently to literary works.
Re-enforce the English language skill already acquired by the students by exposing them to language in action in literary text and works.
Expose students to healthy human values attributed.
Expose students to the beauty and potentials of language.
Encourage attempts at creative writing as a means of understanding the creative process and appreciating the principle of creativity especially for those who can benefit from it.

Literature serves several purposes, including:

1. Entertainment: Literature provides enjoyment, relaxation, and escapism.

2. Education: Literature teaches moral lessons, historical events, and cultural values.

3. Social Commentary: Literature critiques societal norms, challenges injustices, and promotes change.

4. Personal Growth: Literature develops empathy, critical thinking, and self-awareness.

5. Cultural Preservation: Literature preserves cultural heritage, traditions, and values.

Evaluation

Can you think of a literary work that has promoted personal growth or cultural preservation?

Reading Assignment

How does literature provide entertainment and education?

Weekend Assignment

What social commentary is presented in “The Lion and the Jewel” and “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

We hope you enjoyed today’s class. In our next class, we will be talking about Genres of Literature I.

Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comment section, and we will attend to them as fast as we can.