Role of English Literature to                Inculcate Human Values

          V. Anupama1, M. Subha Lakshmi 2, Kadambari S.  Sinivasa Rao2                            Research Scholar, Department of Education, Acharya Nagarjuna University                           M.Ed Student, Benaiah Christian College of Education, Rajamahendravaram.                     E-mail:[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Today the human race stands at the center of the universe .Human beings are supposed to be endowed with inner powers capable of autonomously taking decision and constructing their own destiny. But the material condition and systems being generated and the trends of thought developing today raise questions regarding the values orientedness of the human race. Everywhere in the world, the decimation of values in various spheres of life is visible .Humanity is to be considered as the highest value in the global human society. For, the test for humanity is to achieve unity among the world with the preservation of historical and cultural differences as well as the distinctiveness of nation states and communities. Such human unity can be driven only by recognizing human values such as truth, love, respect, forgiveness, kindness, dignity, respect etc.  Because, it is the human values which are to be treated as the keys to solving the global problems. There is no denying the fact that the present global society is facing a lot of crises. Human value crisis is a known fact of the modern society

The main focus of this paper describes the need of value based education and focuses on how English literature can be an effective tool to inculcate values in human race. It has also tried to focus on a few strategies that might help in learning better values through English literature would be discussed in detail in the full paper.

Keywords: English literature, Humanity, Human Values, Inculcate.

INTRODUCTION

Human values play a crucial role in the society, for they are said to be the foundation of human beings for a head leading a better desirable life. It is persuaded that all holy books of all religions embrace the values of good life. Values judge especially in questioning of cultural concern for the preservation of cultural heritage. Importance of human values is seen right from preschool stage that lays the Information of foundation on human values and end in the period to adolescence. We human beings through our five senses that help us to discriminate from good and bad, right and wrong. We have access to information readily however, transformation is slow without practice of human values, and this is where the importance of human values plays a significant role in bringing solutions to the global problems such as ecological, moral and social problems.

In this present global human society we almost see only the demoralizing values. What the genuine cause of the degradation of these values could be is an unknown answerable question to the society This paper shows a theoretical framework of need of value based education in the first part of the paper and in the second part it focuses on how English literature can be an effective tool to inculcate values in human race and few strategies that might help in learning better values through English literature.

NEED OF VALUE BASED EDUCATION

Human value crisis is one of the intense burning problems in our daily life. The values like truthfulness, kindness, honesty, law, justice, patriotism, humanism, etc. are to be conserve in society in order to influence human life to regulate in a well-ordered manner. Value-crisis has emerged due to not understanding its proper role in our human society. The problem of value deterioration in our society can be stored out, if we have concern and consciousness about the deep-rooted ethics and values in our society. Modern human society seems to be valued on the basis of material thing and its position. There is no place for feelings of mercy, sympathy or kindness, etc. human values have become neglected and meaningless, for human beings have become the means for the rich to earn money. People are so busy with earning material things that they have no time and no desire to think about the plight of human. Human value may lay as cornerstones for the foundation of social value. Those who show adorable respect to human value will be entitled to social value, so the preference to social value over human value crisis is one of the intense burning problems in our daily life. The values play very crucial in the society and surpasses all other values. The choice to co-create a better future for our children by ensuring excellence and quality in education as mere core values that will help transform our world.

Value education simply means developing appropriate behavior and habits involving inculcation of certain values and habits. Value education starts from families and it is continuous at schools with the help of educators. Because of these teachers, families and educational activities are important in values education. Families are the first source of role models to their children as they give information so they should be careful about their behaviours and attitudes. the role and cooperation of teachers is very crucial for the children most is what the teacher does in the classroom counts them more to inculcate. Educational activities like seminars, conferences; families can take an active part in organizing so that, there can be an effective harmony among families, educators and educational programs. The inculcation of value based education has become a need of the hour. The need of values are to promote fundamental values   and direct people to lead a healthy life which help them to improve overall qualities of life to become responsible citizen.

INCULCATING VALUES THROUGH LITERATURE

Literature is the speculum of society. Literature from time immemorial has invoked students of all ages. Literature starts in delight but ends in wisdom. Literature helps students appreciate diverse cultures and certain emotions like love, anger, jealousy, greedy etc. are universal. Once the students have self-determined control over their emotions, it will help them in balancing their professional lives also. In short, one can say that literature serves a reflection of dual purpose which would include acquisition of English language and inculcating value education.

TEACHING VALUES THROUGH LITERATURE

Teaching English Literature opens a new era of world to the students. It cultivates the abilities of Human society to have a set of core ethics and values to live. The importance of inculcating these values in our children is acknowledged universally. The study of literature in the form of short stories and novels forces students to find moral lessons everywhere. Students they learn to monitor their behaviours by reading stories and fables having a moral behind them. Every fable with a moral leaves a deep impression in their minds and imbibes such values in their day to day living.

INCULCATING VALUES THROUGH POETRY

Poetry is one of the powerful instructional tool and an important art to study at any age and most universal vehicle of human expression. It is a worthy expression of emotion or deep feelings and aesthetics or a sense of what is beautiful about the world. Poetry helps to understand universal truths as well as cultural differences. Throughout the history, poetry has been made to address a subject matters, including social issues, war, love, and the beauty of nature and the love of God. Poetry is meant to invoke experiences, it emphasizes the role of the senses, calling to mind memories and feelings and an excellent tool for encouraging students’ creativity and for exposing the aesthetically elastic boundaries of language. Poetry encourages students to develop empathy and understanding to view the complexities of the world in new ways. Poetry should have a central place in all of our lives, not only for the aesthetic pleasure it affords, but also for its competency to awaken our senses, connect us with ourselves and others, to lead our life in synthesizing way.

INCULCATING VALUES THROUGH PROSE

The students learn values effortlessly and in causal manner when they are taught through prose. Students know the value of being responsible, developing tranquility of mind, helping each other when they are taught through a certain prose and which help them to become confident to express their thoughts, feelings and emotions. A good literature can be vital aid to language development and competence; conflict resolution; cultural assimilation, emotional development and stability; development of positive and good-oriented attitudes to life. The use of prose has, doubtless, made learning more engaging in inculcation values and ethics.

CONCLUSION:

Moral and Social values are substantive elements of the corporate lives of any community without which the present modern human society may not be able to continue to sustain. Therefore, human values should be preserved and protected. Looking at today’s human society, Human values are beginning to lose their importance. The degradation in the moral life of the human community leads to loss of moral integrity. There should be a general awareness being created by socio-cultural groups concerning the value education of traditional customs and heritage. Thus, English language acquisition helps in attainment of ethics and morals through value education. It helps to understand those beyond the visible- values, beliefs and attitudes for sustainable life and help to learn to build bridges from one culture to another.

REFERENCES

[1]        Cruz, J.H.R. (2010). The role of literature and culture in English language teaching.[2]        Duff, A & Maley, A (2007) Literature (Resource Books for Teachers), Oxford                          University press.                                                                                                                     [3]       Johnson Bill, 2003. “Values in English Language Teaching.” Mahwah, NJ:                                Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.                                                                                            [4]      Maley, A (2001) Literature in the language classroom, The Cambridge Guide to                      Teaching ESOL, Cambridge University Press.