Ten Reasons Why We Study Literature. (This Is Serious—Maybe I'll Work Out Why I am Doing it.)

1. Because it tells us about the time in which it is created. It's an alternative way to see history to the way the historians would like us to see it.
2. It reveals to us what we value as a culture. Often we don't realise, or want to admit to ourselves, what is important to us. Sometimes we aren't that proud of it.
3. Its displacement from 'reality' forces us to look at what we normally call reality for the way in which it is constructed. If fiction can create a seeming 'reality', where is the non-fictional basis for our own?
4. Through using theoretical and philosophical thought to read literature, we come to understand a bit more about those theories and philosophies. They are not just in books—they inform political, social and psychological policy. It makes us a little more knowledgeable (hopefully).
5. It opens up the study of all textual things in our world. Since I started studying literature, for example, I see so many sub-texts to advertising now—it’s great because at least now I am aware that I am being conned.
6. It affords you the opportunity to read, widely, things you may not ordinarily read, because you have to, not because of the more indulgent want-to.
7. It emits beauty. Whether you believe in the beauty of the everyday as expressed through astute writing, or the beauty of the dramatic, the excessive, the hyperbolic, good writing, often known as 'literature', is a source of a beauty you look for.
8. It challenges you to look below the surface, between the lines and behind the obvious. It makes reading an intellectual engagement rather than a pure entertainment. (Although I have nothing against reading for the fun of it either.)
9. Apparently, according to The Age, art criticism is a dying art. I am not sure if they include literary criticism in that, but I suppose if it is just us at uni ‘doing it’, then perhaps The Age is right. In order to become critics, we must study to be critics—you don’t want people to just be giving un-scholared opinions all over the place do you.
10. It makes authors accountable. It is a little scary how many books are published every year. There has to be a way to sort the possibly most readable to the top of the pile.