Literature's Lasting Impact by Katrina

Literature's Lasting Impact by Katrina - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Literature has a way of infiltrating into our personal life. It is impossible to remain unaffected by the words our eyes feast on. Little bits and pieces stick with us and influence our perceptions about life and people.

High school is a time of crucial development where teens are ceaselessly shaped and molded by what they are exposed to. A book that all high school students should read before they graduate is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. Before embarking on their journey into the “real world” it is imperative to be exposed to this work of literature that imparts such a copious amount of wisdom to its readers. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a novel that speaks volumes about what it truly means to empathize with those who are different from us. It highlights the absolute necessity for one to have understanding and compassion, even when it may be difficult to. It is a novel that confronts the injustice, immorality and evil that plagues society while simultaneously shedding light on the power of human goodness and integrity.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Perhaps one of the most famous lines from the novel, this is a simple reminder with a gravity that is undeniable. It is a reminder that it is necessary to bear compassion and understanding for the people we encounter in life. It is a reminder that we cannot judge others based off of what we think we see. We can never fully understand something we ourselves have not experienced. Kindness and understanding should be the driving force underlying all of our actions, not judgment and contempt.

This novel has had the power to endure for generations and its longevity is a testament to its ability to permanently impact readers. While it was written over fifty years ago its relevance is unwavering and its ability to convey both the folly and goodness that exists in human society has not been undermined by the passage of time. This work of literature is one that all high school students should read before they graduate because it is one that has the possibility to transform the way they think and positively impact the way they approach future endeavors in life.