Before taking this class, I had never given much thought to who I am as a student of literature. High school was the first place that I first really started reading literature. I remember reading books like The Scarlet Letter and Jane Eyre, and really enjoying them. It was there that I would have to say my foundation for literature was formed. However, this semester has caused me to really realize what literature is all about. Since this is the first time that I have really taken a book and looked past the story line, I struggled some at first to really get into analyzing what the author was trying to say to me between the lines. I found myself reading, taking time to process what I had read and then developing ideas about what I had read. What helped me a lot is the discussions we would have in class over the readings. It gave me a chance to voice my ideas and then to glean things from others views and ideas as well.

This class has forced me to take a deeper look at the impact literature can have on the reader. I have been reading for years, but it was not until this semester that I really took the time to process much of what I was reading. The fact that most of the works we read had a great deal to do with current issues made the readings have even more of an impact. I think this class has taught me to look much deeper at what the author is really trying to convey to the reader, not to take things so much at face value anymore. It has also taught me to appreciate a much broader range of authors and writing styles, as well as content. We read from a very broad base of female authors, and each had some very important messages they conveyed. Ultimately, I walk away from this class being less ignorant about the different backgrounds and styles that make up literature, and also with a better knowledge of what makes literature powerful.

I also learned that although one may see a certain point on one light, another reader may see it in a very different light. What I gained from the works we read may not be what the next reader walks away with and I find that idea very powerful. Literature has something to offer everyone at whatever stage they are in their life. Different parts apply to different people differently. Each person can find something that they like and take that piece away with that. To me that is a very comforting idea.