Wisam, nice essay on the joys of literature!
I would, however, expand (or modify) your point about literature as a "chain" of "links," each one of which "creates a strength in vocabulary, and a growing appreciation and love of English." .
How about a love of language in general, not just specifically a love of English?
People often ask me how I got into the Russian field professionally. Well, it all began when I was 12 years old, and read "War and Peace" for the first time. Of course, I skipped the "war" and read just the "peace," fell madly in love with Prince Andrei (and could never forgive Natasha for marrying fat Pierre), and from there it was all uphill -- from Tolstoy, to Dostoyevsky, to Chekhov, & etc. It was the most thrilling excursion I had ever been on! Of course, at first I read all these works only in English translation; I can say they are even better in the original.
Literature, I conclude, sensitizes one (among other things) to language -- all language.
jbe |
