I believe that literature and literacy are the most important and powerful assets that any society can have. Literacy is crucial for reading the Bible and understanding it for ourselves, and literature helps us communicate ideas and information with one another in meaningful ways. This is why the printing press built by Johan Gutenberg was so revolutionary and changed the way the Western world communicated, understood information, and even religious freedom.
The printing press directly led to the Protestant Revolution headed by such figures as Martin Luther. These dissenters from the Catholic Church were able to challenge the teachings of the Church because they could now read Scriptures for themselves, thereby eliminating the necessity of a priest reading and interpreting Scripture for them. The main triumph in this challenging and breakaway from in regards to the Catholic Church was now an increasing number of everyday people could see for themselves whether or not something was biblical (Indulgences, Purgatory, Salvation, the Words of Christ, etc.).
Literacy (the knowledge and understanding of reading and writing) was also crucial for the Founding Fathers of America. Without the ability to read the Bible on their own, as well as legal and sociopolitical documents (such as the newspaper or decrees from England), we may never have had a Revolution. Without the ability to read and write, the founding members of our country may not have ever been able to determine or conclude why the treatment from England was wrong or unfair. (The founding of America is just one example.)
Literature itself has had massive impacts on cultures and societies throughout history. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin was so influential that it’s regarded (then and now) as one of the major reasons why America had a Civil War and why the social, religious, and political tides turned in regards to slavery. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is another one. To Kill A Mockingbird is another work that was influential in the Civil Rights Movement. The 1850 novel, The Scarlet Letter, helped challenge America’s strict Puritan views. Henry David Thoreau’s* Walden or Life in the Woods has had a monumental impact on modern conservation and environmentalist movements.¹ A book that impacted food production and distribution in America is The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Sinclair exposed the meat slaughter and packing industries dishonest, and downright harmful, practices and subsequent products. Margaret Sanger (the eventual founder of Planned Parenthood) wrote a pamphlet titled Family Limitations, which advocated for women’s reproductive rights — rights to killing unborn babies, in case that wasn’t totally clear.
*(Side note: I discovered that Thoreau’s name is pronounced THOR-oh, not thurr-OH.)
I bring up these examples (even the last one, which is extremely negative) because it really illustrates the power of literature and literacy. Important issues need to addressed in writing so that the masses can consume and understand what’s going on, and literacy is crucial for the masses to even be able to consume and understand the information before them. Many of the books (and other texts) that have shaped America have had profound impacts that are still clearly seen and felt to this day.
Margaret Sanger’s pamphlet (that she wrote and published to be consumed by the now very literate culture) became one of the founding documents for one of the most evil corporations in modern existence.
Upton Sinclair’s book exposed the horrendous, vile, and dangerous practices found in meat-packing plants and slaughter houses across the country. Because of the public outrage from reading it, massive and sweeping reforms took place. “The Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 established the agency that eventually became the Food and Drug Administration in 1930.”²
Uncle Tom’s Cabin and The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass influenced the fight against, and helped end, slavery.
Words have power. Books have influence.
This should never be understated or underestimated. Those who are educated are harder to control. And that’s not to say to be “educated” in gender theory, queer studies, white fragility or anything like that as they are not productive to our society. (Those topics are something that I’m thinking of touching on in a future post.)
Literacy is not just defying the powers that be and being more of a rebel (which these things are still very true!), but it also physically changes your brain. It helps with memory, information storage and processing, the ability to perform at a higher cognitive level, and expands personal vocabulary.
Literature is not just reading your favorite book to escape reality (which is a useful and enjoyable function of fiction reading!), but it’s to process the information that would help us grow, improve, and understand the plights of others and the world around us. True literature has some value to it — be it moral, intellectual, factual, or even just simply up-lifting. The impact of literature, personal and societally, must never be understated or under-appreciated.
The Bible is considered a kind of literature, and It’s impact has changed the world. Without literature (the physical expression of ideas through writing) and literacy, it would be harder (not impossible because God is powerful, sovereign, and merciful) to teach Scripture to the masses.
Again, words have power. Books have influence.
We, the people, have the ability to change so much if only we have the courage to do so.
Literature has a crucial role in society. Literature is meant to grow and educate the society that it’s published in, as well as entertain in many aspects. Overall it’s meant to be challenging. Literacy is important for absorbing and understanding information, and thereby becoming more knowledgeable and a more productive member of society — as well as in their own households.
“Literacy is about more than reading and writing — it is about how we communicate in society. It is about social practices and relationships, about knowledge, language, and culture.”³
As I mentioned in the brief (extraordinarily brief, let me assure you) history of the literature and literacy in the West at the opening of this blog post, books, writing, words . . . all of these are profoundly important and impactful. Just because physical (paper) books may not be thirsted after like they once were, does not mean that they no longer hold any significance and cannot still be influential.
Many of the books that are being published by the monopolistic publishing houses are pushing sinful, anti-America, anti-Christian, and filled with so many other immoral things. These “books” can and are having a strong impact on the children. If children, and adults, aren’t being inundated with good, quality, moral, challenging, inspiring, and informative literature, then how are they supposed to combat that which is wrong, sinful, and evil?
Some may think that the language I’ve used in the previous paragraph is too strong and condemning. I say we call it like we see it; no need to sugarcoat it. If you don’t strengthen your own mind and the minds of your children, then you are just as likely to fall prey to the immoral, wrong, sinful, and false material that is out there.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” -Romans 12:2
A Word from You . . .
Well, you’ve heard my thoughts, and I’d love to hear from you! What’s your take on the importance of literature in our current society? Do you agree or disagree with my point of view? Don’t forget to check out my links to get great discounts on some amazing books!
Links for You!
Here’s my ThriftBooks link, where you can get new and used books for much cheaper (and more sustainably) than large bookselling retailers! https://www.thriftbooks.com/share/?code=3RzwAY203zlZCGetHohqJw%253d%253d
Speaking of literature being important, go ahead and check out the Tuttle Twins series — a book series for young readers that teaches them important concepts about our socioeconomic system (Federal Reserve, supply and demand, supply chain, small businesses, etc.). Use my link to get a discount! https://tuttletwins.com/history/ref/MyjasThoughts
Notes
- Library of Congress. “Books That Shaped America: 1850-1900.” Accessed 9 December 2023. https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/books-that-shaped-america/1850-to-1900.html
- Library of Congress. “Books That Shaped America: 1900-1950.” Accessed 9 December 2023. https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/books-that-shaped-america/1900-to-1950.html
- UNESCO, Statement for the United Nations Literacy Decade, 2003-2012 – as quoted within the draft version of WRDSB: A Comprehensive Approach to Literacy Instruction K-12.