Tick tock, tick tock -- the seemingly endless time is drowned by the sounds of a pen incessantly clicking. There is this glazed stare swiped across every students' eye as I glance around the classroom. I can't help but let my eyelids slip into the slumber they keep begging for as my teacher's monotone voice drearily traipses onto the next page -- the next page, how many more were there to go? It was this constant experience throughout high school that led to my neglect of literature's beauty.
So many stories and insightful messages that touch your heart and give you mind fuel to feed on, concepts to ponder, and boundaries to push. Boundaries of education, social expectations, and moral values -- these were all tested in the classic pieces of literature that have created a rift in current social beliefs. Literature that causes us to think, that shapes our worldview and forces us to hold onto the strong foundation of our beliefs that is shaken when a turning page takes us by surprise.
However, I never truly appreciated the lessons that were being showcased in these pieces of literature. Now, as I have reread and addressed my inner struggles, I recognize how crucial these stories were to my childhood.
Beginning with To Kill A Mocking Bird, I was fascinated by the controversy the author brought to the surface. While such a young, innocent child saw the flaws in the court case, so many people were convinced otherwise -- though these were a result of bias opinions, harsh judgments, and racial tensions. Yet, our protagonist's plucky, outspoken voice burst through the pages and the audience seemed to follow in suit -- it was morally right. However, what is morally right doesn't necessarily prevail. Sometimes, those that are different for society fall victim to harsh prejudice as did a character in To Kill A Mockingbird. It was a lesson meant to be learned -- as the youth, it is our responsibility to bring about social change if we believe the injustice has ensued.
Following, The Outsiders has always been a classic that I could quote. One of the reasons I love books is my ability to paint my own picture in my head of the story -- while the words are vibrant, I can build my own beautiful, elaborate fantasy. This was one of the first books where I truly was able to do that; it was the fire, in the church house and the local DQ. Not only the imagery but having a look into a brotherhood of random hoodlums founded on their struggles and their pain. These boys looked out for the other and would clearly sacrifice anything -- having their back and being that hard ass to keep Ponyboy in line.
Lastly, Hiroshima, a truly heartfelt novel that made me realize the horrors that humans were capable of. Naive would be a fitting word to describe one's hope for world peace until they've read this story. Told from the perspectives of multiple victims, the most tragic experiences are told. What it is worse, it is so casual, the devastation has destroyed families, innocent lives and people are just simply taking it. This story made me appreciative -- thankful I could come home and kiss my parents good night, snuggle up to my dog close, and merely worry about what laughter the next day would bring.
While these are simply a few examples of my favorite pieces of literature, there are so many others that cast such a significant influence. Causing an uproar and forcing us to question our moral beliefs, I only wish I appreciated the pieces of literature my teacher's introcduced sooner.