Intro to world Literature compare/contrast why literature ....poet's obligation

These are real situations why we might not have the time or inclination to read literature.

Look.   I have an ill mother. She’s not going to get better any time soon and I am reliving every angst I ever had since I was four. 

Look.  I have three screaming customers because my new hire isn’t any

more.

Look.  If Chief expects me to do that without the right gear…

Look. I’d read more if I could find something to read…something worth the

time.

Let’s be honest.  Both men get paid to do what they do -- perhaps the payment is recognition, money, self-satisfaction, a voice to convince.

Let’s be honest. These works are marketing devices, validations, encouragements.

In the dire moments, when the void opens or in the bliss times when a particular joy bursts forth to be shared, people seek release. It might be a place of worship, a person who knows our heart, or even work. EX: When I was 26, in six months I lost six loved treasures. I had the cleanest house for miles around. EX: In the rain - the goldens, husky, pit, and I - run throughout the house so they can exercise. There is a vid there or a book of 40 pictures.

It might be a book.  If one knows the book.

It might be a poem.  If one knows the poem.

Literature stretches, educates, connects, frees the human heart, sensitizes.

It might be a voice different from the ones heard at work, or on the media, or at the bowling alley, or from the radio erupting in the car next to you at the stop light.

It might open energies, word associations, history, and, gasp, cultures.

Really good company.

Really.

BTW   Vid means: The Latin root words vis and its variant vid both mean “see.” These Latin roots are the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including visual, invisible, provide, and evidence…. \Juris/jur/jus/just comes from the Latin word meaning “law” or “judge.” Vid/vis is from another Latin word meaning “see.”