5. Write a précis of the following passage and add a suitable title.
In Literature, students read and respond to a variety of literary texts from the genres of prose, poetry and drama. The texts can range from classics such as Shakespeare, to modern works such as The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. The greatest value of Literature is that it promotes empathy as it develops in the child a greater understanding of the human condition. When students study Literature, they learn to appreciate words and their power. They travel to other realms and times through the texts they read. They understand about their own culture and others’. They learn to empathise with characters, to feel their joys and pain. Importantly, students of literature learn to consider multiple perspectives and understand the complexity of human nature. Take, for example, George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Do we feel Napoleon is fully responsible for the miserable lives the animals lead? Aren’t the other animals responsible for their own plight too, having allowed Napoleon to tyrannise them? In Literature, as in life, things aren’t always so clear cut, in black and white. And therein lies the value of the subject — it prepares one for the ambiguities of life, to take uncertainties in one’s stride. Moreover, in Literature, students develop a sense of individuality and creativity, as they develop their own opinions about issues in their texts. They also learn skills of persuasion — they need to convince others of their interpretations, and this builds their confidence.
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