What Is Literature For?

A reality simulator machine with an arm attached to a lift, lifts 8 literary characters. The words on the lift read: "It's so real!"

If you haven’t heard of The School of Life, you should check them out. They’re a an educational organization that makes fun and quirky videos in an effort to “answer the great questions of life with the help of culture.” With a vast array of subjects–including history, philosophy, and art–their YouTube channel is a fun place to explore.

One of my favorite videos, is one titled “What Is Literature For?”

According to The School of Life, literature–besides being fun to read–actually serves very practical purposes in helping us to live well. These are:

  1. It Saves You Time
  2. It Makes You Nicer
  3. It’s a Cure for Loneliness
  4. It Prepares You for Failure

To see what all this means, exactly, take just 5 minutes and watch for yourself: