How can understanding what defines and comprises literature help us build better connections with the world? How can we build more networks by defining literature?
Literature creates a common language throughout the world. Think about the Bible. Here is an ancient text that has been translated into hundreds of languages and can be applied to almost any situation.
There are certain verses in the Bible that create a "foregrounding" of languages. These are verses that if you are given the first few words, you could come up with the remainder of the verse.
"For God so loved the world..."
"...that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
I gave you the first six words, and I can imagine you came up with the rest of the verse. The verse is in the forefront of literature. And it's not just an LDS thing. You can find this verse printed on tattoos, in advertising and even on the bottom of Forever 21 shopping bags.
"A two-edged sword"
"A drop in the bucket"
"A cross to bear"
"An eye for an eye"
All of these phrases are used commonly in the English language. This literature has created a conversation and has integrated into phrases we use everyday.
Culler helps us understand that literature can create conversation and it can infiltrate our daily jargon. The Bible is just one example of literature that brings people together and gives people a guide for shaping their lives.
So there we have it: literature is something that stands out. It creates conversation. It brings people together. It helps us build our networks as we find commonalities and ways to pattern our lives through the text.
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