To
the Editor: (New York Times)
Re “Does
Fiction Civilize Us?” (Sunday Review, June 2):
While agreeing with Gregory Currie that there is little
evidence linking reading directly to behavior, I do think that there is a case
to be made for the “civilizing” effect of fiction and literature.
Human beings make sense of the world through stories, both
true and imaginary ones. It is the imaginary ones that perhaps give rise to the
greatest opportunity for exercising a developing moral imagination. Seeing the
world not just as it is, but how it could be or ought to be.
I am not suggesting a direct correlation between reading and
morality, as if you could read a book and whatever the “message” of the book,
the reader would then be fortified with a positive “lesson” or inoculated
against a virulent problem, the one just overcome by the hero in the book.
Literature doesn’t work in such a direct way.
At best, a good story can give rise to insights about
ourselves and our world, and deepen our understanding of the human condition.
And while that might not be everything, it should be enough to give literature
a place of honor in our society.
JUDITH ROVENGER
New York ,
June 3, 2013
The writer is a youth services librarian.
3 comments:
Good morning. Please check the task I just sent and respond as soon as possible. I want a correction task to be done within a week. I've worked with an do my course for me help tutor in your group so I know you can complete it within this time frame. Let me know the cost so I can pay it now while your Accounting Assignment Help experts handle it.
Toronto academy of acting offers diverse educational opportunities, with varying criteria for each program. Canada diploma requirements typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, proof of language proficiency, and specific subject prerequisites. Some programs may also ask for standardized test scores, recommendation letters, or a personal statement to support the application. For those applying to film schools in Canada, additional requirements may include an audition, portfolio, or prior experience in film or acting, depending on the program's focus.
Post a Comment