The Professor of Literature by Nathaniel

The Professor of Literature by Nathaniel - August 2017 Scholarship Essay

Ever since I was a child, my favorite thing to do is prop open a book. In today's age of computers and internet-capable cellphones, the entire literary canon is at our beck and call. And just as literature has become more accessible, so should those whom help us interpret it. If I were a college professor, I would teach English Literature.

I can't stand the number of people who tell me they don't like to read. There are too many. And when I ask them why, they tell me it's because they never understand what they're reading. English Literature is important because the most powerful skill we can have is the ability to extract meaning from text. A lot of what we read is nuanced. I've always admired English teachers because they have such an intimate knowledge of the literary canon. Not only do they know the material, but they're just as enchanted with it as I am.

An enchantment with books is contagious. When an Literature professor is genuinely excited to teach a book, so are their students. Even the ones that claim they do not like to read. When students are invested in a book, it is easier to teach them the meanings hidden behind between the lines.

I want to be the one to shine light on these hidden meanings. Because when I've been taught the nuances of a book, everything clicks into place. This does not always occur without the help of a professor. That is why some students are so repulsed by reading. They don't want to feel like they're left in the dark. One of the pleasures of being a professor in Literature has to be helping their pupils put the pieces together.

In conclusion, I would take great pride in being a professor of Literature. The position entails a deep understanding of many great works and the authors who write them. It is such an attractive subject to teach because it would allow me to share my enthusiasm for reading and help students decode the meanings within the pages.