stories

1: People read stories to their children for many different purposes. First and foremost is to encourage reading and language skills. However, stories can also pass along valuable social lessons. For example, cinderella teaches kids to be kind, but also that they can attain their dreams. This is all a part of socialization.


2: Once language and cognitive skills have been learned, some choose to continue to read. This is mainly for pure enjoyment. Most people at this level read novels and other stories, sometimes in magazines. Others read to attain further language skills, but there are other opportunies thta come from reading. One might read the book Freakonomics to learn more about economic principles and such. Also, those reading at this level continue to be exposed to culture and therefore continue the process of socializaton.



3: All mordern cultural issues become part of literature, whether they become mainstream or not. America is a highly literate society, and some choose to read. Most people who read often do not simply go to the bookstore and browse for something that interests them, instead they will go to a friend or other source (NYT) and see what others are reading. Books can serve as a medium (satire maybe) to express an idea, or to point out a fault of society. Great works such as Huck Finn and Catch-22 are excellent examples of this. In Catch-22, Yossarian is doing everything in his power to survive the war, he is the only person in his camp who proclaims "everyone is trying to kill me" his fellow soldiers think he's crazy, but the reader knows it's true.

4: I remember a few of my childhood stories vividly. My favorite growing up was the mouse detective. I suppose the drama was what attracted me. I literally watched this movie dozens of times. Orally, there isn't much that stands out. The first book I really took a liking to was the first Harry Potter, I remember thinking how sad it was that he had to live in a little closet.



5: 1. Engaging language. Nothing is worse than a book with "he went to the garage, then out." A book needs to attract the reader and keep him interested. Catch-22 is also a great example of engaging language.
2. Unique characters. Having unique individuals gives a book a personal side. For example, I've read Mario Puzo's the sicilian, but only remember one or two people from it. Whereas I remember almost every character from the Harry Potter books.
3. Social Commentary. Any good work of art needs to have some relevance to modern society. Picasso's Guernica or Twain's Huck Finn both have relevant messages and relevance to modern society.
4. Humor. A story doesn't need to be all dark and serious, truly memorable works will have some light-hearted sides to them. Catch 22's "HEY! I'm the only MP man here!" is one that sticks out in my mind.
5. Plot. While it doesn't have to be as clear as A hates B so A has to defeat B. Any good novel should have a direction, with rare exception.
6. Exposition. One common theme to all great stories is an exceptional exposition. The main characters are introduced in a unique way that is memorable and unforgettable. The Sopranos did an excellent job of this. For example Christopher beating up the HMO guy.