Importance of History in Literature by Noor

Importance of History in Literature by Noor - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Varsity Tutor Scholarship Essay
2 February 2015

High School is a crucial time where students not only learn about the content of books read in class, but the context behind the stories, as well as the literary themes, symbols, and motifs behind a work of literature . The importance of literature being tied into history is that it takes students back to a time they may not be able to relate to, but still be able to have an emotional connection to a reading. Envisioning the realities of the lives of people who lived in America before them struggled towards creating the America we know today. Along with stories which have historical context, the book I have chosen puts students into a perspective of the civil war through the eyes of a slave.

Beloved, a novel written by Tony Morrison, is a book every student should read before leaving the comfortable classrooms of high school. Captivating readers in the first chapters as students follow Margret Garner, the main character in the novel, down her dangerous struggle towards freedom in the South during the civil war in 1856. It shows the cruel reality of life for a slave, and the full extent of the cruelty society had in the past. Students are able to or have an emotional attachment to the story. This not only keeps their attention and interest in class discussions, but also teaches them good moral values of self-worth, importance of solidarity with a community being oppressed, and the power of determination.

Beloved is a powerful story that is sure to move the hearts. It will help create a passion towards the drive towards equality for all, not just in America but worldwide. Slavery in other countries is still an issue to this day, and having students who are aware of its evil may someday be the reason it comes to an end.