When it comes to philosophical/literary essays, my favorite one is Walden. Other students I know like this great literature piece too :)
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While the definition for literature may be expansive and difficult to pinpoint, there are certain works of literature that have consistently moved me. One such work is Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. As noted by editors John Schlib and John Clifford in Making Literature Matter, nonfiction is often considered separate from literature, though in recent years this stigma has largely been removed in the form of creative nonfiction. If there was ever a piece of nonfiction deserving of the label "
literature," it is Walden. Though I read it as a young student, I have read it multiple times since, simply because it speaks to me.
One of the greatest benefits of all literature is that it can create an emotional reaction that speaks to readers. Schlib and Clifford note that studying the intellectual attributes of literature often presents only a fraction of its appeal: "
We have been suggesting that one value of studying literature in a writing class is that it often engages not just in thought but feeling" (Schlib and Clifford 8). This is certainly the strongest reason that I appreciate Walden, as well as other pieces of literature that I am lucky enough to discover. The work of Thoreau engages me intellectually, artistically, and most of all, spiritually and emotionally. It presents me with illumination on so many different levels.
Though there may be some experts that debate the value of nonfiction as literature, but there are few experts that can argue the importance of Walden to American writing. Though it details Thoreau's life in the woods, it presents philosophy, poetry, and lyricism that rival the greatest works literature. The work stirs great emotions within me and helps me realize that no matter how hectic life gets or how uncompassionate the world seems, there are so many other aspects to life worth enjoying. Reading Walden offers me a sense of piece, simplicity, and the understanding that while literature can be defined by style, skill, and other subjective attributes, I prefer to define the value of literature by what type of person I am when I finish reading. When I finished Walden, I felt wiser, more understanding, and serene. Literature or not, any writing that can make me feel this way deserves the highest praise whenever possible.
Works CitedSchlib, John and John Clifford, Eds. Making Literature Matter: An Anthology for Readers and Writers, 4/e. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.