There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry.
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll;
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul!
This simple but elegant little poem by Emily Dickinson captures what takes place during our literature class. This year students have sailed back to 9th century Scandinavia and bravely battled monsters. They’ve considered the “quality of mercy” in Shakespeare’s Italy and met Macbeth’s witches. Presently, the younger students are off with Bilbo Baggins after treasure, the older girls are befriending a red-haired orphan named Anne, and the older boys voyage with Jim Hawkins and John Silver on the high seas.
As Dickinson writes, books have the power to carry us away. As our class has several reading groups, I find students enjoying not only their own books but listening in on the discussions about books read by the other groups. Nobody wants to be left behind! While on these pleasant journeys through great stories, picking up new vocabulary words and internalizing beautiful language, my students are learning about what it means to be human. What is worth living for? What is worth dying for?
While the study of literature brings us delight and helps us understand our place in the world, we must cling to the Scriptures, which help us keep all things within the perspective of the greatest story, that of the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
