Introduction 11

Literature for African Students

Introduction - Why study Literature

problems. But after one has been to many cities it is easier to deal with a new town. It is much the same with books. Writers are always referring to other books (especially to Shakespeare's). When you have read many books you will begin to recognise these references because you will have read some of the books yourself. And, even if an author didn't intend to refer to another book, you may find that something he says reminds you of another book you have read. When you find it happening to you, you can begin to think of yourself as a well-read person.
Because thousands of books are published every year you will never catch up and read everything. Don't worry if other people have read lots of books you haven't. You'll know you are doing well when you have read a lot they haven't.
Variety
Does the last sentence mean it doesn't matter what you read as long as you read lots of books? Not quite. If you have read all the books by a certain popular crime writer, is that the same as having read all of Shakespeare's works? Will other people consider you well-read if you have read all the books of a certain Romantic novelist? Many of the most popular books in the bookshops are not going to add to your knowledge, even if you read them all.
Your aim, especially at the beginning of your reading career, which I hope will last all your life, should be to read as widely as possible. Sample different authors and different types of books. Variety is not just the spice of life; it is the essential condition of learning.

USEFUL ACTIVITIES TO HELP YOUR GENERAL READING
Discussion
Talk with your fellow students about books you have read. You don't need a teacher for this. The main activity of writers and readers in the world of books is talking and writing about books. Discussing books and reading each other's reviews can show you that different people understand different things about the same book. If you ask each in turn to say what he thinks is the main point of a book you may find some interesting differences.

Rewriting a story
Suppose you have read a novel or short story in which the actions take place in another country. Try to rewrite the story making all the changes necessary for it to take place in your country. Change the names of the people; make new conversations; change the type of food people eat.
Try rewriting a story from a different point of view. For example the popular crime books on sale in the bookshops are usually written from the point of view of the criminals, or sometimes the police. But it is ordinary people who suffer from criminals. Rewrite one of these stories from the point of view of an ordinary person or family. Imagine that you yourself were living in a village where one of these characters was active.
In many schools there are not enough teachers. If yours is one of them, and you want to learn about literature you can help yourself by doing some of the activities I suggest in this book.

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