It is a simple fact that any student who wants to succeed in their studies must dedicate themselves to reading. Oftentimes, these readings are dry and tedious, and many struggle in an attempt to finish them. However, some texts found in a curriculum or related to it somehow can become significant for one in a personal way while providing the knowledge necessary to obtain academic success. This paper is a reflection on six texts that play such a role for me.
When it comes to fundamental texts for a humanities student, first, these are the works of renowned philosophers. One of these is Epicurus, whose Letter to Menoeceus is a summary of the author’s ethics. Among other things, Epicurus believes that one must not fear death, which is especially inspiring to me since I often find myself doing it. What helps is remembering that “it is pointless to agonize over something that brings no trouble when it arrives” (Epicurus 15). It is interesting to note that the great Socrates was not afraid of death as well, which is evident from Plato’s The Apology. This text is an account of the philosopher’s speech at the trial in 399 BC, in which he was sentenced to death. Socrates accepted it with saying that, yes, he dies while everyone lives, but “which to the better fate is known only to God” (Plato 34). When one of the most brilliant minds of all time fearlessly faces death, it encourages one to be just as brave.
Furthermore, among essential works that everyone must be acquainted with are those of two central figures of American history: Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Lincoln’s The Gettysburg Address is a speech that was delivered by then-President amid the Civil War to mourn the loss of the fallen soldiers and give hope to those who lost it. These words, while spoken in a context greatly differing from today’s, inspire me to fight for our civil rights in turbulent times. They remind me that it is my duty to dedicate myself “to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced” (Lincoln). Letter from Birmingham Jail is just as striking; King composed it while in his prison cell in Birmingham Jail, where he was put for the participation in nonviolent anti-segregation demonstrations. In the letter, King states that progress “comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work”; without it, “time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation” (84). This encourages me to keep doing what is right even when it feels challenging to do so.
Finally, while it might seem redundant for some, it is important to know why read and how to do it properly, and there are works providing valuable insights on that. For one, in his text, Marsden notes that many people nowadays do not read, in spite of the fact that reading is one of the greatest investments in themselves an individual can make. Owing to the author’s reflections I now acknowledge that by choosing not to read sometimes, I deprive myself of “a chance to learn, grow, and develop into a better person” (Marsden). In addition to that, if one wants to know how to write compelling texts, they need to learn how to read like a writer. Bunn explains that it means locating “what you believe are the most important writerly choices represented in the text […] to consider the effect of those choices on potential readers” (72). This piece of advice, however simple it might sound, helped me become a better writer.
In conclusion, not all texts that one encounters in the learning process are merely something to read and forget as soon as another test is passed. There are writings in a curriculum that can not only make an impression but give one food for thought, console, and encourage. One must not despond if they did not find such works yet and continue searching; then, one day, they will find themselves inspired.
Works Cited
Bunn, Mike. “How to Read Like a Writer.” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writings, Volume 2, edited by Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky, The Saylor Foundation, 2011, pp. 71 – 86.
Epicurus. Letter to Menoeceus. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016.
King, Jr., Martin Luther. “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” The Atlantic Monthly, 1963, pp. 78 – 88.
Lincoln, Abraham. “The Gettysburg Address.” Abraham Lincoln Online, 2020.
Marsden, Oliver C. “Why Are People Not Reading?” Medium, 2020.
Plato. Apology. Digireads.com Publishing, 2021.