Everything is fleeting: the seasons passing through the year, the moments and memories we make, and the riches we work so hard for. But one thing will forever be immortalized, passed on from generation to generation: text and literature as a form of expression.
Let’s delve further into the enduring nature of literature as a means of communication.
Vivid Expression
Storytelling has many channels of communication. Some prefer sharing their gift of storytelling verbally; others prefer music, while some artists use visual means such as paintings and movies. But one medium stands out as the most vivid and timeless—literature.
What makes literature such an effective form of communication and expression is that it not only gives the writer autonomy in creativity but the reader as well. Readers do not need to conform to the creator’s perspective on the art piece but can derive their own meaning from it.
They can visualize their versions of the characters, worlds, and the lore itself. But besides its effectiveness in communication, literature is also recognized for its sustainability. One of the oldest works of literature is The Kesh Temple Hymn, which is from Ancient Mesopotamia, dating back to 2600 BCE, written on a clay tablet that is intact to this very day.
Literature allows individuals who have trouble putting themselves out there to express themselves anonymously, which promotes more personal and effective writing. People are most creative when they have overcome the fear of being judged. A text allows for this level of anonymity.
Literary Immortality
Death is a harrowing reality of our existence. The sad truth is that, just like everything else in the world, we will fleet away.
Literary Immortality is a phrase that means that an author can be immortal through their works. If we look at Ernst Hemingway, William Shakespeare, Twain, and Hawthorne, these individuals are still quoted, and their works are considered a hallmark of literary achievements.
Immortality not only means longevity for a writer; it is for their influence to be cemented in their respective genres. Hemingway’s writing will always be known for his descriptive and symbolic language, exuding his disillusionment after the war. Mary Shelley’s writing radiates the beauty of romanticism, which she observed in her father’s writing. Agatha Christie’s time as a nurse in World War I was depicted by her war-related plot points in her novels.
You wouldn’t even know who the writer is or their background, but their struggles and past would somehow seep through the pages of the stories they wish to tell.
That is the power of literature. That is the power of storytelling.
Fascinated by the influence of text in the world? Author Chiaretto Calò presents one of the most well-documented and formulated pieces of literature that have been immortalized throughout history. Join Calò as she walks the reader through the summaries, quotes, and messages from over 300 of the most definitive works in The Library of Humanity. Grab your copy now!
