More Than Words by Jonathan

More Than Words by Jonathan - April 2013 Scholarship Essay

My favorite school subject would have to be English. The study of literature extends far beyond the words on the pages and the events they transcribe. To study a book is to lay bare the culture of the people who wrote it, and the time it was written in. Books are bound with the history of nations, and it is in English class that you are taught to see it.
 English class has taught me that books are far more than just entertainment. Through the study of the stories and themes present in novels, one can see the popular issues and ideas that characterized a certain time or place. Even a cursory reading of Uncle Tom's Cabin showed and will continue to show generations past and future the cruel face of one of the darkest chapters in American history. However, as one reads deeper into the text, they will find a story of both the cruelty and the kindness that human kind is capable of, demonstrating the feelings of hope that shone throughout the shadow of slavery.
However, English does not only teach us how to dissect a novel and examine its history, it unveils the rich tapestry of language, quantifying and tabulating the words which we use to communicate. Not only the meaning of words, but also the basic rules by which we formulate our sentences, forming the building blocks which are ultimately used to break down the barriers between nations, and learn other languages.
 English class is not simply a study of words, it is the study of communication between people, nations, and ages. Without guidance along this path, the world we live in would be dark and insular, indeed. English class allows each and every student the chance to grasp at the entire world, past, present, and future. It is my favorite class because it showed me the world in its most pure state, and that is a gift I cherish more than anything.