General Overview of Literature(Revision) - SS3 Literature Past Questions and Answers - page 1

Literature plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage by documenting traditions, values, and historical experiences. It also offers insights into society by reflecting the prevailing beliefs, social issues, and historical context of the time. For instance, classic works like Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" preserve Igbo culture and traditions, while George Orwell's "1984" critiques totalitarianism, reflecting the author's concerns about his society.

 Let's take metaphor as an example. A metaphor directly equates one thing with another to create a vivid image or convey a deeper meaning. In Shakespeare's "All the world's a stage," from his play "As You Like It," the world is metaphorically compared to a stage. This metaphor serves to emphasize that life is like a theatrical performance with distinct stages (infancy, childhood, etc.), highlighting the idea that people play different roles and undergo various experiences throughout their lives.