The University Should Focus More Upon Classic Works of Literature :: Argumentative Persuasive Argument Essays

The University Should Focus More Upon Classic Works of Literature When I declared English as my major, I was both nervous and eager to begin the program. I thought I would finally be able to read all the books I had wanted to read throughout high school. I was prepared to embark on an exciting yet difficult journey, reading great works of literature by authors such as Dickens and Austen. Unfortunately, while at my university, I have not read as many classic works of literature as I expected. Instead, most of my assigned reading has been from works by modern writers from various ethnic and minority groups. Hence, I feel I am missing something in my pursuit of an English degree. The English program at the University should focus more of its attention on classic works of literature. Many would argue that it is more important for today's students to read ethnic and minority literature. In today's diverse society, one must be exposed to all kinds of cultures and ethnic groups. Therefore, it is better for English students to read more ethnic literature so that they are aware of the experiences of other ethnic groups as expressed through literary forms. Many English instructors feel that ethnic literature is a field that contains many hidden treasures of literature. They are assigning students to read these works more frequently. For example, in a recent study conducted by the National Association of Scholars, researchers found that "based on the relative frequency with which she is cited in course descriptions, Toni Morrison now ranks sixth among all authors who have ever written in the English language." Only Shakespeare, Chaucer, Austen, Milton, and Woolf had more citations. The researchers note, "Given the heavy disproportion of male to female authors over the c ourse of English literary history, this is certainly an astonishing outcome, even if the literary excellence of Morrison is granted." (http://www.nas.org/reports/eng_maj/engmaj_exsum.htm). Toni Morrison is certainly a fine writer; however, I agree that her being ranked sixth out of every author who ever wrote in the English language is extraordinary. I am not suggesting that the study of ethnic and minority literature is not important. I agree that reading literature by diverse ethnic groups is beneficial to the English major. However, it seems to me that more attention is focused on ethnic literature than on classic literature. While ethnic literature is important, it is also necessary to give classic literature equal emphasis in the program, if not more.