Understanding the Stages of Literary Appreciation

Nilsen, A. & Donelson, K. (2009). Literaturefor today’s young adult. (8th ed.). Boston:Pearson Education Inc. pp. 10-16

English 326

Prof. Shirley Santiago de JiménezRevised 2009

What is literary appreciation?

It is the ability to:

…gain pleasure and understanding for literature

…understand the value and importance of literature

…esteem, honor, respect, and/or admire the beauty and complexity of literature

What is literature?Literature (Big L)

Classics that have been read over and over again or have been acclaimed throughout the years (literary awards)

Works that are considered exemplary because they provide knowledge and understanding of the world and man

What is literature?

literature (little l) Broadly, anything

that is written (such as novels, poems, plays, and articles)

Written works with popular appeal

What are the stages of literary appreciation?

They are an approximation of the different levels of “how individuals develop the personal attitudesand reading, watching , and listening skills that are a necessary part of literary appreciation.”

Each developmental stage or level (Nilsen and Donelson, 2009) is characterized by :

An optimal age (or grade level)

Sample literary materials

Sample actions or activities

Two important points to remember:(1) People do not go through these

stages of development; instead they add on so that at each level they have all they have had before plus a new way to gain pleasure and understanding.

(2) The development of literary appreciation begins long before children learn to read and continues throughout adulthood until death.

Level 1: Understanding that Pleasure and Profit Come from Literature

( Ages 0-5: Pre-School)

Literature can refer to oral manifestations (songs and nursery rhymes) as well as graphic or visual depictions (picture books, television programs, and appealing signs)

Ad Council Media: Piggies

Level 1 (cont.)

The literary experience is a social one

Adults sharing; going to bookstores and libraries; talking about T.V. programs and movies

Ad Council Media: Supermarket

Children have opportunities for “talking stories" and “grand conversations”

Level 2: Learning to Read (Decode) (Ages 6-8: Grades 1-3)

Children are developing literacy (“…a process that is never-ending for anyone who is intellectually active.”)

One must not lose sight of those children who are struggling with literacy and subsequently lose sight of the search for pleasure and enjoyment

◊ functional illiteracy vs. conventional illiteracy

• Those children who learn to read easily are undemanding and in a stage of “unconscious enjoyment” – becoming addicted to one particular book or character (allowing for the development of speed and skill)

Level 3: Losing Oneself in a Story (Ages 9-11: Grades 4-6 )

Time outside of school for reading, less television time, and uninterrupted conversation is essential. (Distractions do not help to develop appreciation for reading!)

Children read while engaged in other activities.

Reading can become a means of “escaping.”

This developmental stage may not occur until much later than the 4th or 5th grades, or it may not happen at all.

Level 4: Finding Oneself in a Story (Ages 12-14: Junior High)

Adolescence

At this stage, the more experience young people have with literature (books or movies), the more discriminating they become.

To receive pleasure, they have to respect the story; it has to be real!

They want to know not what happened , butwhy; stereotypes are no longer satisfying; characters have to be believable.

They are reading to find out about themselves, not simply to escape into someone else’s experiences.

Level 4: Finding Oneself in a Story (Ages 12-14: Junior High) cont.

They are looking for lives as much like their own as possible.

In addition, they are curious about other sides of life ( e.g. the bizarre, the unbelievable, the grotesque)

Their purpose is largely that of findingthemselves and where they fit in society.

The Bottom Line:

Reading is a means of discovering identity.

Level 5: Venturing Beyond Self (Ages 15-18: High School)

The person goes beyond his/her egocentrism and looks at the larger circle of society (“going beyond me”). Issues such as conformity, social pressures,

justice, and human weaknesses and strengths

Teenagers are responsible for assessing the world around them and where they fit in.

This stage is more about emotional, intellectual and physical development instead of advanced reading skills.

Reading at this level allows for focusing on the person’s psychological needs in relation to society. (Science fiction and fantasy help to create new ideas about the existing society.)

Levels 6 and 7: Reading Widely and Aesthetic Appreciation (Ages 18 - Death)

At the college level, the young adult reads best-sellers and is involved in acclaimed literary works such as novels, plays, and films, sharing these experiences with peers.

Throughout adulthood, the avid reader who has developed the skills and attitudes necessary to enjoy literary experiences at all the previous levels, is ready to embark on a lifetime of aesthetic appreciation(understanding the beauty and artistic value).

What is the importance of understanding the different stages of literary

appreciation?

In order to appreciate literature, people at any stage must experience pleasure and profit from their reading, viewing, and listening.

As (future) teachers and parents, we must meet young people where they are and help them feel comfortable before trying to move them on. Nevertheless, we have to continue to provide for

the level below the one we are focusing so as not to frustrate them!

The Goal:

A society of adults who are intellectually stimulated to read for personal fulfillment and pleasure and understand that it is beneficial!