Novels in the Classroom. Yay or Nay?

On the English Companion Ning, a forum for English Teachers, there is a thriving discussion on the importance of the novel, especially considering the push towards informational texts in the Common Core era. My thoughts on the issue are a bit jumbled as the school year has just finished and my ears are full of pool water. In English class, we teach so many disciplines: grammar, vocabulary, writing, and reading. I find myself wondering what is the point? Why do we drone on and on about plot development, literary elements, and characterization? If a student enjoys a books, isn't that enough? Are books puzzles that must be solved? Yes and no. Books are a window to the world. Books teach us about ourselves and about others. Through books we explore relationships, career options, and deepest darkest Peru.

My methodology involves guiding students in their reading, with little to no "presentations" about the reading itself. When a student comes back to me a year after reading a book and says something to to effect of: "that book really opened my eyes" I feel a resounding HURRAH! well up within me. Yes. Yes. Yes. That is why we read. We in our own little bubbly worlds need to be challenged and refined to become the best versions of ourselves. Reading can contribute to this.

But does it have to be a novel? I have a student who vehemently hates novels. He would rather read the instruction manual for a toaster than spend time with Mr. Darcy or Okonkwo. This challenged me as a teacher. To this student reading was a pragmatic experience, all else was foolishness. In a way he has a point, given the inane trash that often passes as a respectable novel. But to throw out literature entirely? That's akin to stuffing all the great works of art in a barn and lighting it on fire. What an immeasurable loss. Literature has something to offer this student, and I'm still wracking my brain for ways to communicate and inspire this concept.

Many people have an internal or external list of books that they think every person should read. But all of our lists are different! How can this be? Is it necessary to still maintain a canon to truly produce an educated population? I don't know! Literature is built on literature. To understand and appreciate modern prose, one must have dabbled in ancient mythology and biblical stories. I guess when it comes down to it, being a great reader is akin to being a lifelong learner. It's never fully obtained - always further up and further in. One great read opens Pandora's box to other great reads. And so... we read, and read, and read.

In conclusion, I hope that novels aren't permanently removed from schools. It is good for our students (and for all humanity) to be challenged and inspired.