How English Literature Shapes the Way We See the World

Ever wondered why your English teacher keeps banging on about Shakespeare, Priestley, and all those “important” books? Like, what’s the point? You’re never going to need to analyse Macbeth’s downfall in a job interview, and let’s be honest, no one speaks in iambic pentameter anymore (unless they’re trying way too hard to be quirky).

But here’s the thing, these stories aren’t just there to torture you before your exams. They actually shape the way we see the world. They teach us how people think, how power works, and why history keeps repeating itself (seriously, have we learned nothing?). And once you start noticing it, you’ll see that the lessons from English Literature are everywhere.

Macbeth, Greed, and Why People Never Learn

Shakespeare was basically the original crime drama writer. If Macbeth were alive today, he’d be the kind of dodgy politician who’d do anything to get to the top; lie, cheat, maybe even commit a few crimes and then pretend he had nothing to do with it. Sound familiar?

The whole play is a warning about unchecked ambition – how power can turn people into paranoid wrecks, how guilt can eat you alive, and how the people who think they’re untouchable never actually are.

Lesson? Be careful what you wish for. Ambition is great, but if you’re stepping on people to get there (or, y’know, murdering them), it probably won’t end well. Also, don’t listen to dodgy fortune tellers – life advice that never gets old.

An Inspector Calls: The Original ‘Cancel Culture’

Priestley basically invented the idea of accountability before Twitter did. An Inspector Calls is all about how everything we do affects other people, even the tiny things we don’t think twice about.

When the smug, rich Birlings are confronted about their role in a working-class girl’s downfall, their reactions tell us everything about society. Some of them learn. Some of them double down and pretend it’s not their problem. (Again, sound familiar?)

The takeaway? Actions have consequences. Empathy matters. And if you’re ever invited to dinner by a rich family and a mysterious inspector shows up, maybe just leave early.

Why Great Stories Change the World

Books aren’t just stories, they shape movements, start revolutions, and challenge the way we think. Think about it:

• 1984 predicted mass surveillance and ‘Big Brother’ way before reality TV was a thing.
• To Kill a Mockingbird made people question racism and justice.
• Frankenstein wasn’t just about a monster – it was about the dangers of playing god and how we treat outsiders.

Fiction makes people think. It puts us in other people’s shoes, showing us different perspectives and making sure we never just accept the world as it is. And the best part? Once you’ve read these stories, you can’t unsee their messages in real life.

Why Analysing Texts Actually Makes You Smarter (Yes, Really)

Okay, so maybe you won’t need to write PEE paragraphs forever. But the skills you pick up from analysing literature? You’ll use those for life.

• Spotting hidden meanings? Useful for working out when people aren’t saying what they really mean.
• Understanding characters’ motivations? Great for navigating friendships, family drama, and even job interviews.
• Breaking down big ideas into clear arguments? Massively useful for emails, debates, and convincing your parents to let you stay out later.

Literature doesn’t just tell stories, it teaches us how to see the world. And once you start paying attention, you’ll realise that Macbeth, the Birlings, and every other ‘classic’ character aren’t just stuck in books. They’re in the news, in politics, in history and basically everywhere.

So, next time you’re wondering what is the point of this, remember it’s helping you to understand the world.