Why Literatura by Mario Vargas - Summury - Essay Example

The article, ‘Why Literature?’ written by Mario Vargas Llosa is intensely thought provoking, primarily because it has raised the issue of importance of literature in the age of technology. In the current times, the fast advancing technology has overshadowed the mundane activities of the common man and the area that is worst hit is the literature. It has been relegated to the position that can be easily dispensed as and when more important things crop up! The author is aghast at the callous attitude of techies who think that technology, especially like computer, can replace the books and provide the readers with all the excitement, pleasure and the inherent relationship that he develops with the concerned author as well as with the characters.

According to the author, while speaking at the Royal Spanish Academy, Bill Gates had even said that his ultimate goal ‘is to put an end to paper and then to books’. Is it really that easy? Llosa says that even though the technology has restructured the priority areas of human race, the relevance and importance of literature can never lose its basic essence of providing people with the opportunity of creative imagination and at the same time, help them to understand the wider scope of human psychology through the experiences of other people.

The very appeal of the literature lies on the fact that it not only provides the reader with an opportunity to grow and learn but it also goes beyond the concept of time and space. One can even go so far as to say that one can actually observe the changes or evolution because we have gleaned the process of evolving times through the literature. Indeed, Homer, Socrates, Tolstoy, Shakespeare are as important a figure today as any other contemporary writers. We understand them because we can identify ourselves in their writing.

Another very important aspect of literature is that it provides the human race with the means to express their deepest feeling that facilitates platform for the future generations to learn and expand on the various facet of inter-related imagery or the real life situations that directly or indirectly may have considerable impact on other people. The books can inflame the emotions of the readers and they can also be the greatest source of inspiration for those who wish to look beyond the petty selfness of racism, prejudices and religious bigotry.

The author is saddened by the fact that the reading habit in people has declined drastically, though women readers have increased. According to a survey in US in 1992, literary reading declined to 46.7% from 59.8% in 1982 (Mehegan, 2004). The author, too, has said that 6.2% more women read as against the men. He says it is vital that reading habits are inculcated because literature is basically radical and helps us to questions the dynamics of the world and gives us opportunities to view it from the different perspectives.

The technology would always foster the ideologies that are propagated by the literary geniuses and therefore, it would not be possible for it to replace literature. The writer exhorts people to develop the habit of reading because literature promotes creativity through visionary paradigms and provides expression for myriad emotions that are part and parcel of human race and intrinsic part of literature in one way or another. It is indeed, one of the ironies of the current time that technology which would always need support or medium to perform, is considered to be better than reading literature, which is a stand alone platform for creativity and unlimited scope!

Reference Llosa, Mario Vargas. (2001). The Premature Obituary of the book: Why Literature? Mehegan, David. (July 9, 2004). Survey finds drop in reading rates. Available from: [Accessed 5 October, 2008].