Back in my day—cos, yeah, I’m old as dirt now it seems—literature was a required course in high school. By literature, I mean the classics: To Kill a Mocking Bird, Of Mice and Men, The Old Man and the Sea, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Great Gatsby, The Crucible, The Scarlett Letter, Animal Farm, Where the Red Fern Grows, The Catcher in the Rye, The Canterbury Tales, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, Lord of the Flies, Flowers in the Attic, Waiting for Godot, and anything by William Shakespear. My high school prided itself on using the Stanford University reading list as a guide for our literature classes. The teachers stressed that reading these books would help us become well-rounded and develop critical thinking. I’ll be honest. Back then, I didn’t know what that meant or where I would use any of this information; therefore, I took their word for it. But it was no hardship because I liked reading. I like literature, even the Old English that was like plodding through mud at times. I remember being one of the only students in my literature class to get the jokes of The Canterbury Tales without the teacher explaining them.

Later in life, when I became a parent, the belief that learning literature was beneficial stuck with me. Soon after learning to read—and even before if I’m honest, cos audiobooks are a thing—I began loading my child’s Kindle with the classics. When we went to the library—which was every two weeks, but sometimes weekly—I insisted that she get at least one classic. And our library was really excellent at having many of the classics (e.g., Where the Red Fern Grows, Moby Dick, and The Outsiders) in watered-down versions easily digestible for youths and younger children. I was proud of myself for being a responsible and studious parent. That is, until I bumped into the son of the daycare owner.

Things happen for a reason. Decent daycare was hard to find, and affordable daycare was nearly impossible. So, when a situation occurred, and I had to switch daycares, I was more than stressed. But as luck would have it, a new daycare was opening. In fact, my child was the first to enroll there. And it wasn’t any daycare. The owner had a vision to treat it like a school, but not like a preschool. In the summer, daycare was full-time, but during the fall, only after-school care was provided. Thus, all attendees were school age. Furthermore, the attendees were divided into three groups (by age), and every two weeks, there were themes. For example, two weeks would focus on the American Frontier. All field trips, books read, movies watched, and activities would be based on this theme. Each room of the daycare was designed like a specialized classroom. For example, one room was designated for science and one for math. In the math room, the kids might engage in activities to calculate the number of days it would take a family traveling in a prairie schooner to travel from Boston to Salt Lake City, or (after a panning for “gold” activity) how to weigh gold and calculate how much it was worth. The idea was to get the kids to learn without them knowing they were learning. I loved it, and so did my kiddo actually. However, there was one rule that made this information pertinent to this post.

The kids had an hour of downtime to do whatever they wanted during the schedule. Of course, handheld game systems (hello, Nintendo) were popular. Due to concerns that the video games might get lost, broken, traded, or stolen, they were prohibited. This meant the kids had to find other ways to entertain themselves during the downtime. I sent books. This is when the owner’s son, who was in college at the time, informed my child that reading the classics would not help her in school or make her smarter. He went on to say that reading them was a waste of time. Because of him, my child became disinterested in the classics. I was livid.

Now, do I have proof that what my teachers said to me all those years ago is true? Nope. At this point, did I even care if it was true? Not really. Did I double down and go full-barrel on this young buck, that he didn’t know what he was talking about? Absolutely!

So, what were my arguments for reading the classics?

• Developing Critical Thinking: Classic literature often presents intricate characters, ethical conflicts, and multi-layered narratives. Exploring and analyzing these elements encourages readers to think more deeply and critically about human behavior, motives, and societal issues.
• Expanding and Building Vocabulary: Many classic stories use rich, precise language and varied sentence structures and diction. These elements can broaden one’s vocabulary, enhance reading comprehension, and improve writing skills.
• Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: By encountering a wide range of diverse characters from various cultures and historical periods, readers can develop empathy and a more nuanced understanding of the human experience
• Lessons in History: Classic literature frequently reflects the values, struggles, and worldviews of the time in which they were written. They may give readers a perspective and understanding of different historical periods and social contexts.

It is my understanding that many current grammar and high school educational programs do not require or even teach literature as an elective, and I think that’s a real shame. It makes me wonder if something is lost in how modern readers read.

I look at the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Now, I know for many people she’s very polarizing. However, no one can deny that she has sold a lot…and I do mean a lot…of books. She has a very dedicated fan base. Just one internet search proves this. But what I’d like to focus on is how many videos discuss the meaning in the smallest of details. Are all of them intentional? In my opinion, no. That doesn’t take away meaning from or lessen the stories, though. On the contrary, it shows that readers are looking for a deeper meaning.

But in today’s contemporary romances, are those symbols and small details appreciated? Or are they overlooked? Do readers take the time to read between the lines, or do they require everything to be blatantly explained? Is symbolism in writing even noticed, or does it require too much thinking? If published today, would books like Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? or A Raisin in the Sun be successful and appreciated?

So, why is symbolism in writing important?

• Adds Depth and Layers of Meaning: Symbolism allows writers to convey complex ideas in subtle, nuanced ways. A single object or image can represent multiple themes, enriching the text beyond its surface meaning.
• Encourages Critical Thinking: Interpreting symbols requires readers to think analytically and read between the lines, fostering deeper engagement and interpretation skills.
• Connects Themes and Ideas: Symbols may serve as unifying threads throughout a story to help tie together characters, themes, and plot points in meaningful ways.
• Represents Universal and Timeless Concepts: Symbols often represent universally recognized ideas that are widely understood, making the story more meaningful and relatable across historical periods and diverse cultures.
• Encourages Personal Interpretation: Symbolism allows readers to bring their own experiences and perspectives to the text, leading to varied and personalized interpretations.
• Dang Good Storytelling: Symbols contribute to the overall mood of a story. For instance, a rising sun can symbolize hope, new beginnings, or enlightenment, or dark weather can symbolize doom or despair. These ideas can shape how the reader feels while reading. Additionally, instead of stating themes outright, authors use symbols to “show” meaning through images, actions, or settings. They can evoke emotions more powerfully than direct statements.

That’s a wrap on today’s topic. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

Demon Rodeo

If Brokeback Mountain, 8 Seconds, Poltergeist, and Supernatural had an orgy, Demon Rodeo would be the lovechild.

Demon Rodeo is available now on Amazon. For video book trailers, visit my TikTok page. The full blurb is on my Instagram and Amazon.

Demon Rodeo is the first book in the Chasing the Buckle series but can be read as a standalone. It’s a friends-to-lovers romance set in the rodeo world. These are not your typical cowboys. It’s a widely diverse cast of characters and a mashup of genres that aren’t always seen together. If you’re looking for a palate cleanser, this may be a book for you.

Order
⇨ Amazon: https://readerlinks.com/l/4174852
⇨ All Stores: https://books2read.com/u/bP8RG7

*Note: All of my books can be purchased from brick-and-mortar bookstores (e.g., Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million, etc.) as well if requested at the checkout counter.)

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

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Locker Room Love

 Locker Room Love Series

Are you searching for a sexy book boyfriend? You’ve come to the right place.

• Out of the Penalty Box (book #1) One minute in the box or a lifetime out.
• Defending the Net (book #2) Crossing the line could cost the game.
• Ice Gladiators (book #3) When the gloves come off, the games begin.
• Penalty Kill (book #4) Let the puckery begin.
• Future Goals (book #5) The future lies between a puck and a net.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Genevive, and I am a contemporary sports romance author. My home is in South Louisiana. If you like snark and giggles with a touch of steamy Cajun and Creole on the side, I may have your poison in my stash of books. Drop by the bayou and have a look around. The pirogues are always waiting for new visitors.