Providing value through teaching literature...

[sheffy4]

Hello forum-ites,

The question of providing value is one that I come back to often. My current career goal for myself is to get my masters degree in literature (not sure what I want to specialize in exactly yet), and teach literature and writing courses at a university.
I ask myself, what value does literature have for people and society, and how would I be providing value by teaching and discussing it with my students and colleagues? And my answer is usually something like, well, literature teaches us about life's truths, gives us insight into ourselves and others, provides pleasure and "escape" from the daily grind, and sometimes assists in social change by bringing to light important issues.

But then, I wonder if that's really enough, and if I'm not deluding myself, and maybe being selfish by wanting to have such a "cushy" career. If I want to teach, why not teach a more concrete skill.
I feel like if I end up teaching at a university, that I should have side projects that provide more concrete value to balance it out. I don't know... even as I type this I can argue with all of my own points, but maybe I would just like some insight from you. How do you all grapple with this idea of providing value?
I know everyone and everything has it's place.... but I keep having these doubts and debates with myself. How can I be happy once and for all with the value that I do provide?

[Brutha]

Personally I don't find much value in most literature.

You however seem to find some value in literature or otherwise you probably wouldn't want to do a masters in literature.
What value do you find in literature for yourself?

[RT Wolf]

Value is not jsut concrete stuff. Philosophy has great value and has changed the course of civilizations and billions of people. Don't underestimate what "cushy" and non-practical value things have. As long as enough people out there are interested in getting your value, you're good.

Now, if you feel that you should be out there making a bigger difference, like feeding the hungry or getting rid of poverty, that's a different thing.

[Brutha]

As long as enough people out there are interested in getting your value, you're good.

Additionally it's also important that he's interested in his value.

[Ralph]

There's a lot of value in teaching the literature, but ONLY if you do it PASSIONATELY.

It can be just going over the texts if you aren't passionate. But if you are - you open the students' eyes on the insights of greatest writers of all times. You contribute value by bringing to them the value contained in all the literature you discuss with them. Without you, those value would never be delivered to them. You can also share your own insights that you got while reading the books. Teaching literature is a great medium for contribution, if it's aligned with your life's purpose and you do it passionately, so it becomes your creative self-expression.

My advise: Focus on how the literature can change students' lives for better adn what lessons they can extract from the texts instead of just explaining what author meant and how did he express it

[sheffy4]

Thanks for your advice so far. I don't have much else to add right now, still mulling on things...

[RT Wolf]

Hmm, lemme try again: you don't have to convince EVERYONE that literature has value to them, so those people who may have arguments against the utility of your work don't matter as long as you can convince "enough" people of its utility. You can't please everyone:

Someone Out There Disapproves of Everything You Do | Mind-Manual

Or, let's try another way: what's your conception of value? Is it just concrete stuff? What about the other stuff that people value and spend time and money on that is not very concrete? Like art, or philosophy or what have you? That should indicate that your conception of how value is created may need to be updated.

That said, if you feel you should be doing something more "concrete" that's a different issue.