Literacy Narrative
FIQWS Writing Class.
Literacy Narrative
During my childhood, I used to visit my grandmother place quite often. Some of the best moments were when my grandmother used to read me the works of L.J Smith. The stories of supernatural beings such as vampires, werewolves, ghosts and witches always freaked me out but at the same time I was curious to know more. Books of such, fantasy and fiction always acquired my attention. I always found them fascinating but nothing more than that.
During my junior high school years, I was possessed by Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling. I used to spend my time reading these books rather than paying attention to my work and study. I was somewhat obsessed by it. Soon after reading some of the sequels, I slowly lost interest in the books. I was keener in watching movies rather than imagining the whole scene in my head. My attention shifted towards more knowledgeable source.
During my high school career, I was more focused on the work of William Shakespeare. His dramas and plays were quite amusing to me. The plays and books enlightened me with different aspect of Victorian age. Mostly dealing with gender, races, history, culture and religion. Shakespeare was great indeed and it was fun reading them but I wouldn’t say that I was moved by them. In fact, my affection towards movies was far greater than reading. After that a sudden change occurred.
It was the time after my high school graduation. I graduated with an honor diploma but I felt something in my life was missing or lost. I was tired of having movie nights with my friends. I wanted something different. On a frigid winter day, while packing and cleaning my stuff, I came across the last book of the Harry Potter series. I was a bit amazed and shocked that I never get to see what happen in the end. I felt that an imaginary force was pulling me towards the books so I could know what was unknown to me. As I flipped through some pages, the whole story line of previous books merged from my subconscious to my conscious. The story of the protagonist Harry as young orphan who faced many hardships and difficulties in his life, but his strong will and the bond of friendship made him capable enough to survive. The strong emotion was so intense that it left me unsettle or paralyzed. Through reading the books I could place myself in the character shoes.
As stated in an article “Why fiction is good” it states “Fictions shapes us mainly for the better not for worse. Fictions enhances our ability to understand other people.it promotes deep morality that cut through religious and political creed. More peculiarly, fiction happy ending to wrap our sense of reality” (Jonathan Gottschall 2012). As I read Shakespeare I was entertained and enlightened by the dramas and plays but J.K Rowling shaped my character and made me grow morally.
Soon after completing the Harry Potter series I was further involved in fictions stories. From my perspective, every fiction has its own way of expressing and teaching us something new. By now I spend my vacation being occupied by the work of Rowling and Stephen Edwin. My perspective of fiction of being “just a lie” had changed to a work of great personal growth.
I do realize that I spent my childhood being entertained by Smith’s work. I also recognize Shakespeare work as vast knowledge of history and source of amusement. But I would surely give the most credit to Rowling books that showed me how to appreciate the importance of literacy in my life.
Reflection
My thoughts and opinion has changed after reading the work of J.K Rowling. There is a great shift in my personality, from a person who found no meaning in literature to a person who greatly admires fictions and fantasy. Everyone in the world grows up listening the stories of great heroes who saves their world. Through my understanding such practice promotes young generation to be an overall a good human being. These fictions and fantasy clarifies the difference between good and evil. Children admires their ideals and set up their future goals to be like them. I feel like such thoughts doesn’t have an any religious or social boundaries and are common practices of every society. I grew up listening stories of many writers and in fact like their work. It is better that one should try reading diverse types of stories because every story has an own lesson. It is an opportunity to gain self-knowledge for example after reading the Harry Potter books I realized that I am suited to read fictions rather than history books. These books change my perception of Fantasy stories. Reading fiction for me, it’s a way to become a better human being. Its clarified my understanding how to think and act in various situation. Its makes a person grow both emotionally and mentally. It enlarges the thinking criteria of a person and makes one establish peaceful relationships with others. Fictions promote empathy and makes bond with other people. I think fictions stories really shapes a person in a positive way and we all should encourage literature for greater welfare of the community.