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antiquated thoughts on literature and our children's hearts
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"The fact is, a work of literature should give us ourselves idealized and in a dream, all we wished to be but could not be, all we hoped for but missed. True literature rounds out our lives, gives us consolations for our failures, rebuke for our vices, suggestions for our ambition, hope, and love, and appreciation. To do that it should have truth, nobility, and beauty in a high degree, and our first test of a work of literature should be to ask the three questions, Is it beautiful? Is it true? Is it noble?" (Sherwin Cody, The Art of Writing and Speaking the English Language, 1906)
I've always loved antiquated thoughts, sentiments, and things of beauty. So when I came across the above quote (penned over 100 years ago) I sighed deeply, feeling right at home in it's literary ideals.
Raising readers today is a challenge in our popular culture where Super Diaper Baby Boy and a Wimpy Kid reign supreme. Trips to the library and book store assault their literary sensibilities with colorful characters who lack depth and ideals. Characters who say "duh... stupid... whatever...", rolling their eyes and plotting their next virtue-less adventure, are the fictional heros of today's children.
"People's beliefs and priorities and behaviors are affected by what they read and see and hear. They are inclined toward the standards dramatized and advocated in the cultural materials they ingest... It was once understood that great art is that art which inspires and elevates and ennobles its readers and viewers. If society subsists on trashy literature and trashy entertainment, it must be noted that the trash receptacles are the minds and hearts and souls of the people." (Dr. John A. Howard, founder of Rockford Institute, quoted in Ft. Worth Star-Telegraam editorial, 12/17/95)
When we are in a quiet place, not bouncing from one busy activity to another, but actually sitting and pondering what we hope to fill our children's hearts and minds and souls with, we would all agree upon truth, goodness, beauty, and character. Would we not? But when we don't take the time to sit and make our plans (in what we are filling their hearts their minds and their souls with,) we allow too much in. Music and movies and shows and, yes, even literature. Much too much.
"Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
When they are young, watching over what their hearts ingest is our primary concern. Under our watchful eyes they will learn to love what it good and avoid that which is evil and of ill-repute. Let us guard their hearts and minds, and in so doing teach them to do the same, for from that rich, well toiled soil, character grows and the springs of life flow.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
Many of these quotes and thoughts came to me and through me from Clay and Sally Clarkson's book "Educating teh WholeHearted Child." Order your copy or sign up for Sally's continually blessing blog at http://www.itakejoy.com/
Categories: Raising Boys, Character Counts
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