why does literature matter?

I am a nursing student, so my primary concern is science. I can understand that some classes are beneficial, even if they aren't directly related to my major. Psychology helps you understand people, philosophy helps you to think better, etc.

But could someone please explain to me WHY literature even matters?? I honestly cannot think of a single good reason to learn how to study symbolism in short stories and stuff like that. It is probably the only class I have taken so far that seems to be absolutely useless.

HELP?!

ownpool2010-10-25T20:08:39Z

Favorite Answer

The motivations, actions and consequences encountered by fictional characters can be just as helpful as a psychology class in learning to understand people. Understanding symbolism will improve thinking ability as it requires the reader to identify the symbols and interpret their meaning. As you recognized the relevance of psychology and philosophy, you will probably eventually recognize the relevance of literature when a real life situation causes you to recall what you learned in the literature class and you then think about how the fictional characters handled a similar situation.

punchy3332010-10-25T20:18:04Z

It gives you a history and culture of the people of the author's time, and how they personally felt about their situation. You'll notice that from most of the works you read, there is a cultural link to humanity as one- there will always be a sort of theme no matter the time period, country, etc. that we *all* can relate to. It helps by making the reader more sympathetic to other cultures, because it really does showcase how we are all alike as human beings.

You're looking at it from a purely scientific approach, so that might be what's making it seem so trivial.

Some of my favorites:

The Epic of Gilgamesh (would make an awesome movie, especially if played by Gerard Butler)
Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe)
Changes: A Love Story (Ama Ata Aidoo)
Fences (It's a Play and an Easy Read) (August Wilson)
The Breast Giver (Mahasweta Devi)
The Epic of Son-Jara (The basis for the Lion King)

mosesjr2016-12-24T09:23:09Z

It concerns, yet provided that the artwork and literature is robust and has meaning. ought to you think of a international with out "The courageous New international" or with out George Orwell's"1984". Or what could state well-being risk-free practices be with out "The Jungle"? Then there is "Frankenstein". A e book that has haunted us morally because of the fact it became into written approximately how technology may be risky while omit used. Forcing us to question the ethic's of what we invent. Then there are the tremendous artworks from the Renaissance and the way they enriched our lives and thousands and thousands upon thousands and thousands of different lives for the duration of the previous few centuries. Humanity is able to easily approximately something. music, artwork and literature are often the source of humanities maximum excellent source. notion.

kavvyr2010-10-25T20:05:33Z

without literature we as humans wouldn't be able to reflect on the ideas of others. Thus expanding our knowledge as well. So its kind of like sharing stories. Its also important to think why a person would right about the subject he/she did, maybe because they think its important to alert others of a problem or even just give some insight knowledge on things. I'm also pursuing a degree in nursing.

Anonymous2015-06-06T09:10:43Z

"Literature" is expression for the masses. If you know some of it, you will be able to understand and converse about more interesting topics with your patients. My sister is a pediatric nurse and uses a lot of her own childhood readings to relate to her patients and their parents, to discuss, to put things into perspective, to link things together.

"Do you remember when Winnie the Pooh got his head stuck in a jar?" "How do you suppose the Wizard of Oz got his start?"