The End or perhaps the beginning

It has been a very interesting course, with a different approach to literature. At first I was waiting for more background information, as a way to provide a context but then quickly realized that this class was approaching literature from a different perspective. That perspective for me, was to read beyond the words on the page and instead to think of things like the concepts of family, the dynamics of relationships, pushing beyond what we would consider a normal behaviour, examining motivations, questioning reality and being open to different ways of living life.

Once I stepped away from my own framework of expectation, I found ways to go beyond the written word. There were affirmations of my beliefs about human nature, some surprises and some thoughtful discussions challenging me to look from a different point of view.

I think literature in and of it self, helps you to understand the world beyond your imagination while at the same time teaching you to appreciate and value what is around you. Literature also has a way of grounding oneself within their beliefs and ideas thereby offering the means to define themselves within the context of their reality.