Literature is not merely words; it possesses the power to transform our lives. In this essay, I explore how literature influences us and the profound meaning we discover within it.
Throughout her life, my mother asked me, “What’s the point of studying literature if you can’t put it to practical use?” Only now do I offer her a belated answer. Literature is not a shortcut to power; in that sense, it is not something to be “put to use.” Yet, paradoxically, literature makes use of the very fact that it cannot be put to use. Through literature, we cannot save a single hungry person, nor can we make a fortune. Yet it is precisely for this reason that literature does not oppress humanity. Things that are useful to humans generally oppress them precisely because they are useful. Consider the frustration one feels when deprived of something useful. But because literature is not useful, it does not oppress humanity.
Because literature does not oppress, the stage of its primal sensation is accompanied by pleasure. Even now, I can hear my mother’s voice from my childhood. On winter nights, she would bring out food—sweet potatoes, persimmons, or even just some kimchi—and in a soft voice, she would tell me the story of Abel and Cain, or the story of one of her relatives who was punished for stealing, until I fell asleep. I vividly remember the fear and pain I felt back then. Yet how much I relished the pleasure that my mother’s soft voice brought, lying beneath that pain and suffering! How astonishing and joyful were the imaginings that voice evoked! Within that joy, we feel a sense of fear regarding what we must not do, and a sense of duty regarding what we must do. It is a duty, but not oppression. It is a primal reflection and realization awakened by pleasure.
My mother’s stories were not mere fairy tales. They were a time to spread the wings of imagination while imparting lessons on morality and ethics. Those moments transcended simple enjoyment; they were precious times that led me to realize the truths of life. It was the accumulation of these memories that shaped my literary sensibility.
The pleasure derived from literature holds a meaning that goes beyond mere enjoyment. Literature encourages readers to view the world from a new perspective and discover truths and beauty that are easily overlooked in daily life. In this process, readers confront emotions deeply rooted within themselves and form a sense of empathy with others. Through this emotional connection, literature bridges the gap between people and enriches human relationships.
Literature allows us to view the myriad emotions and events we encounter in daily life from a fresh perspective. For instance, literature keenly captures the subtle nuances of emotion that we might overlook in everyday conversation, as well as the complexities of social issues. Through this, readers gain new insights and experience a profound understanding they had not previously considered.
Literature that does not oppress demonstrates how all forms of oppression have a negative effect on humanity. Because arguments in literature oppress people, literature cannot present a clear path forward. Through literature, humans grasp the nature of both the oppressor and the oppressed, and recognize their negative power. A single poignant poem awakens in the reader an awareness of what oppresses and makes people unhappy. When the protagonist of a novel, who sought true value, ultimately suffers defeat, we feel pain. By sharing that pain, we are able to see the absurdities of the world that oppresses us, and we come to realize that humans must live freely and happily. That is why we think of happiness with a sense of pain.
Literature is not mere entertainment. Literature reflects the society in which we live and serves to expose the absurdities and inequalities that occur within it. Literature is a mirror of society, and in that mirror, we reflect on ourselves and dream of a better future.
Literature cannot save a starving beggar. However, literature turns the existence of that starving beggar into a scandal. In this way, it ultimately leads humanity toward happiness. Thinking about happiness in an age of suffering and hardship is a painful task. Yet, as the French philosopher Bachelard said, humans are beings born to breathe happily. How could one possibly give up breathing well? I cannot give up literature.
Furthermore, literature possesses the power to record history and foresee the future. From ancient epics to modern novels, literature has left a trail of humanity’s footsteps and played a vital role in helping us understand our present. Literature is a mirror of the times; within it, we discover our own reflections and can envision our future. This power of literature extends beyond individual stories to encompass the story of humanity as a whole.
Literature gives meaning to our lives, helps us grasp the workings of the world, and enables deep reflection on human nature. Through literature, we gain a deeper understanding of the joys, sorrows, loves, and sorrows of humanity, and this inspires us to strive to become better people. For these reasons, I cannot give up literature, and I will continue to explore myself and the world through it.
Literature does not merely record stories of the past; it offers lessons for our present and serves as a guide for the future. Through literary works, we experience diverse aspects of life, which enriches our own lives. Literature grants us freedom of thought, allows us to spread our wings of imagination, and ultimately inspires us to dream of a better world.
Therefore, literature holds a significance that goes beyond mere writing. It gives meaning to our lives, helps us understand the workings of the world, and enables deep reflection on the essence of humanity. For these reasons, I cannot abandon literature, and I will continue to explore myself and the world through it.
