The Importance of Literature to the American Youth

One of my favorite books!

America’s youth seems to be a reality show crazed, texting addicted, social network loving generation. Gone are the days when children actually read for their enjoyment and leisure. Instead most kids groan when their teacher introduces a new class book. Instead of the reading the book and looking at the author’s words the way they were intended to be read and understood kids look to Sparknotes not just for guidance but to provide their whole understanding of a book . ( I will admit, I am guilty of that though! lol But I’ve lived and learned!)

Many students argue that they cannot relate to classic literature of any kind. But I feel that classic literature, especially American literature is just as easy to relate to as Basketball Wives, The Real Housewives, and Love and Hip Hop. For one thing these “reality” shows are not the average American’s reality. But the works of great American authors were the average American’s reality and therefore will always be relatable.As Americans we will always have something in common with them and that is the spirit of America and the pursuit of the “American Dream.”  These works are of substance and teach concepts that will expand the mind of the reader.        ( No I’m not saying that  junk tv and or junk reading must be abolished but we should be careful to allow our minds a healthy diet of meaningless and meaningful entertainment. )

Maya Angelou, Richard Wright, Ernest Hemingway, Langston Hughes, F. Scott Fitzgerald,Zora Neale Hurston, must I continue? These are the names of authors that every young person should know and appreciate. These authors are all American, and represent the different shades of American life in certain time periods and locations.( Although I believe much can be learned from authors from other countries I believe that American youth should put more of a focus onto studying the works of American authors.)American history is studied in schools, but it is only told from one point of view. In order to fully understand and form a complete perception of the past we must read first hand accounts of literature that express the attitudes and beliefs of Americans of different cultures, ethnic groups, and regions. As cliche as it sounds, the American youth must fully learn from the past so that we never repeat the mistakes of it.

• Posted in: Literature
• Tagged: american literature, american youth, books, english, English major, reality shows, sparknotes, students