Literature and life

Dear DepEd,

Your decision to downgrade the core literature classes in basic education broke my heart.

True, I may be biased. English has long been my favorite subject; my love for the written word came early, and it has endured. There is just something about stories that draws me in, ranging from the fantastic to the realistic. Perhaps it is the adventures that the characters embark on, journeys that I would love to take myself, or maybe it was the way they pulled at my heartstrings as they went through harrowing experiences still beyond my ken.

People often argue that literature isn’t as important as, say, mathematics or the sciences. Many say that literature classes teach nothing but “silly stories” too surreal to be of any significance to us. I beg to differ. I cannot deny that in the real world, Greek gods and goddesses won’t pay us mortals any visits, and we won’t see dragons in the sky or call upon fairy godmothers to grant us our hearts’ desires. But many of us fail to recognize literature’s other lessons.

G. K. Chesterton once said, “Fairy tales are more than true—not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” I mention this because I feel that it captures the true essence of what literature has to give. Literature, basically, teaches us about life. It prompts us to dream of possibilities, presents new perspectives in which to see the world, helps us to go on adventures and have fun awhile, encourages empathy with the people around us, and much more. The benefits of studying literature are endless and can only be fully known by experiencing it.

As for those who believe that literature classes won’t be of help in any future career, may I point out that reading boosts one’s vocabulary. Eloquence will be helpful in any career, and having the words necessary to express one’s thoughts will foster that. Plus, reading trains us to become more attentive to detail. Rote memory is also developed, which will aid us in remembering the necessary information we’ll need to know to work.

Doubtless, math and science are important subjects. I just hope that you will see the significance of literature as well and change your mind.

Patricia Celina Ngo, 18, is a management engineering student at Ateneo de Manila University.