- Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com
The Merchant of Venice, two years of studying the book, what did I gain from it in my school years and also getting tested on it. Well, for me the story itself taught me a lot but what it really did was create a love for literature. How to read and appraise a book was instilled into us during those two years. Our teachers were excellent in their love for English language and literature and truly passed it on the bunch of selected girls that were taught in our class. Sister Mary Magdalene and Miss Aparna Choudhury were both legendary teachers. Many of my school friends will definitely appreciate them and still salute them.
Recently there was a debate if Shakespeare should be even taught in schools anymore. Both my brothers studied them and have never heard them complaining.Both my kids have been doing Shakespeare plays in school GCSE course as well as Speech and Drama lessons. I am so proud of them to have had the patience to study and work through the plays. I think if it is not taught in school age , its a hard one to get the heads round the material in later life. A good appreciation for hard core literature will never develop otherwise. Now they can watch plays and opera with enough love and enthusiam for their current modern culture that they are living in as well the past. I hope they will pass on the love for reading to their next generation.
Any language of this world has rich history behind it. All cultures have a legacy to live up to. Songs, paintings, books are immortal and need to be kept alive. Not everybody has to appreciate them but for the few that love them need to have them around. People give up so much time for the art societies that they love and work for, their dedications are commendable.
I do love reading books and I am very thankful for my previous generation to have made me read and endure through classic and modern literature. Books are a great way to keep happy you know.