Words With Friends Summary

In this society that is gradually becoming increasingly dependent on technology, will literature slowly disappear from the minds of the population? This is the question that Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, attempts to answer. In this book, he describes a hypothetical world in which the population not only avoids reading, but has made owning books an unthinkable crime, with all books discovered burned, along with the houses of those who hoarded them. In this dystopian future created by Bradbury, the beauty that is literature has been replaced in society by television programs and radio stations. This reveals Bradbury’s obvious fear that modern technology would completely replace books- a legitimate concern to have. In 2015, the value of books differ between groups of people. The disadvantage of this is that books provide the readers opportunity to allow their imaginations to run wild, something that television and radio never could. Fahrenheit 451 addresses the problem and fear of overwhelming technology through its fictional world, which shows what would happen should people render literature completely useless through the use of television and radios.

This extract from an analytical essay by Hannah A. Weber explains the importance of literature in the society for communication and social interaction. The idea of an ending social society is expressed by both Weber and Bradbury. Both the writers draw conclusions on how the destruction of human social interaction is lead by the prohibition of literature and non-fictional ideas. It can lead to social isolation and loneliness. Literature aids us addressing human nature and conditions which have an impact on everyone. These are vital for the need for development, growth, ambiguity, and despair of prosperity and loss, the need for loved ones, the goodness of benevolence and affinity, faith, or the realization of inadequacy. Literature is hence, necessary for the society to associate with humanity.

Larissa MacFarquhar’s essay titled,“Who Cares if Johnny Can’t Read?” , was published in the Slate magazine in 1997, rebuts the misconception that Americans in today’s society don’t read as much as people did in the past. MacFarquhar presented factual information to back up her claim that Americans do read and that they read more now than they ever did. In addition, people do not read classics as much as they read genre fiction and self-help in today’s society. MacFarquhar also stated that reading books is better than television. According to MacFarquhar, she believed that reading can stimulate emotions and allow people to participate unlike television. Later, she acknowledged that certain television can also stimulate emotions and allow people

In the article, “Why Literature Matters,” Dana Gioia predominantly focuses on the use of logos, logical fact-based evidence and stimulating, emotional-based language to entice the audience. Gioia elaborates on the theme of correlation between young adult Americans and the decline of literature in this age group. He continues his argument with the consequences with the decline of literature in the lives of these Americans.

Today, no one seems to give much value of literary works or reading. Not because it doesn’t give anything beneficiary, but because not everyone had the urged to at least finish a book. We now live in a world where social medias almost dominates our daily activities. It’s unlikely to have a place for us to consume a non-fiction or fiction book. As absurd as it sounds but that’s how people often think. We now live in an egalitarian society, where everyone is given the freedom and right of its own.

It is agreed that if an author is stating his assertion to a topic, then he should incorporate what the opposing view has to say; therefore, without the other view he writes nothing but fallacies. However, in Gurdon’s case she offers support from the other side allowing them to state their claim. She recognizes the use of first person in these particular YA books, permitting the reader to take on the “persona of the narrator” (Gurdon 2). Then, she detects the claim of the book industry writing that “kids have a right to read whatever they want” and that “the world is a tough place; and that there’s no point shielding children from reality” (Gurdon 3). Refuting this assertion she calls out the incorrect logic of the claim stating that in other words the authority adults have over the content children absorb should “somehow vaporize when it comes in contact with the printed word” (Gurdon 3). The things children read teach them what to presume about the world around them, and that “books don’t just cater to tastes. They form tastes” (Gurdon 4). Subsequently, she offers her proposal that people associated with the publication of books would “exercise better taste” (Gurdon 2) than that of every teen experience. The comprehension of Gurdon’s claim becomes clearer after integrating the opposing view and using it to support her

In Dana Gioia’s article titled “Why Literature Matters”, he explains about the decline of reading literature for young Americans. Although “income rose to unforeseen levels, college attendance ballooned, and access of information increased enormously” he states, “the interest young Americans showed in the arts… diminished”. In his article, Gioia uses surveys, articles, studies, and statistics to persuade his audience that the decline of reading in America can have a negative effect on society.

In one study it is revealed that “literary readers are markedly more civically engaged than non readers… more likely to perform charity work, visit a museum, or attend a sporting event.” Gioia adds this study to her essay because she her audience to know that not reading doesn't just affect your job or work, it affects your daily

In the modern day society, books are frowned upon; however, interactive media such as television and seashell radios are highly encouraged. In Fahrenheit 451, Professor Faber fears the aftermath of the world without literature and is portrayed as too cowardly to take action, a “Queen bee, safe in the hive” (87). Through Faber’s lecture to Montag, Ray Bradbury aggrandizes his pessimistic view on society by using characterization, diction, and the selection of detail to present the idea that society relies upon pleasure and happiness so much that literature and common knowledge are rapidly disappearing.

In the article “Why Literature Matters,” Dana Gioia discusses about how interest displayed in the arts has declined, especially in literature. Gioia uses a variety of different literary tools to create a compelling argument including appealing to the reader’s emotion, using facts and statistics, and creating a “call to action”. Throughout the whole essay, Gioia skillfully plays with the reader’s emotions to convince them. Gioia brings out aspects such as the consequences of the situation.

Anytime she reads an innovative book, she wants everybody else to experience the same story she adored. As a result, she is always lending out her books to her friends. Anyone who needs a dystopian or romantic book could probably find it at her house; she is identical to a miniature library. Many people her age despise reading because they think it is just uninteresting, or extra work. Hannah’s acts of sharing her books have turned people from book haters to avid readers.

Dana Gioia, an author of “Why Literature Matters,” addresses an issue in society of the decrease in reading during the past quarter century. This issue may seem little now, but will eventually have a negative effect on America as a whole and the business industry of America. Although reading may not be the activity for all, it is crucial to continue reading and learning to benefit the future people of American and the people after instead of the growing decline which affects society.

Imagine moving from Los Angeles, California to a small town in Wisconsin and not knowing anyone at the new school. Anyone in this situation would want to make friends that would accept them in the new town. This is the position Levi, one of the main characters in Elizabeth Eulberg’s Better off Friends, is in when he starts middle school. Macallan, the other main character, is the person that befriends Levi, and they become very close very fast. Being a new kid from down south, many people stereotype Levi because of how he looks and the way he acts, which was normal in Los Angeles where he used to live, but odd to the people in Wisconsin. For this reason the boys at school did not really want to hang out with Levi, and that is why he and Macallan become such good friends in a short amount of time. The two of them could find a lot that they had in common, even though they were from completely different places. Macallan and Levi were together a lot, so when they hung out just the two of them, people would think they were dating when they were not. This is the second stereotype addressed in the book; a boy and a girl that spend lots of time together do not have to be a boyfriend and a girlfriend. Throughout middle school and high school, they were constantly asked if they were dating, when they were not. Therefore, in Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg, Eulberg addresses stereotypes about where people come from and people of the opposite gender being just friends.

Another reason why the consumers of texts hold power over the producers is simply the copious amount of texts that are made available to them. This increase in the choice between media and within media has led to development of narrowcasting and niche audiences. With the advent of mass consumerism and technology, the production of texts have skyrocketed, leaving the audience spoilt for choice. Raymond Bauer (1964) placed an emphasis on choice that was anchored in and ensured by an independent, even obstinate, audience. “The active "individual" was a modern citizen-consumer patrolling the periphery of his or her consciousness with a vigilant consumerism” (Biocca, n.d.). Bauer (1964) felt that the consumers could not

As the era of literature slowly declines, the expert critiques and praise for literature are lost. Previously, novels were bursting at the seams with metaphors, symbolism, and themes. In current times, “novels” are simply short stories that have been elaborated on with basic plot elements that attempt to make the story more interesting. Instead of having expert critical analysis written about them, they will, most likely, never see that, as recent novels have nothing to analyze. Even books are beginning to collect dust, hidden away and forgotten, attributing to the rise of companies such as Spark Notes. An author deserves to have his work praised, no matter how meager and the masses should have the right to embrace it or to reject it. As