Superstitions in Literature. Raya Abu Atiyeh 9B
Superstitions in Literature
To what extent do people still believe in superstitions? How can superstitions be reflected in literature pieces? Superstitions are beliefs based on fear of the unknown and faith in luck. I firmly believe in superstitions as they do not align with my culture or religion.
To begin with, I do not relate to superstitions as they conflict with my culture and beliefs. Superstitions are becoming more prevalent in literature, with works like "The Hollow" and "Superstitions" emphasizing the significance of these beliefs in culture. Rather than adhering to tradition, superstitions challenge and reshape these beliefs. Sometimes, superstitions do not have any connection with cultural beliefs, as is the case with the two poems. According to Turkish culture, the colour blue acts as a shield against evil and negative energy. However, it is perplexing why people hold such beliefs that can lead to negativity. It is like judging a book by its cover, as Turkish people associate the colour blue with negativity without understanding its true meaning.
Furthermore, my personal beliefs do not align with superstitions. In literary works such as "Dover Beach" and "Darkness," the theme of religion is explored in contrast to superstitions. While religions offer a structured belief system, superstitions tend to be more personal and individualistic. These works show how superstitions can be challenging concepts that require deeply-held faith. However, some argue that being religious may reflect a connection to superstitions. It is believed that religion is the most important aspect of one's life, and this can lead to fear-based superstitions. Fear is often the primary driving force behind superstitions, and it can also lead to cruelty, as Bertrand Russell has stated. Often, a small thought or belief can grow into a larger, false belief that spreads across cultures and affects religious perspectives negatively.
In conclusion, ‘’The Hollow’’, ‘’Dover Beach’’, ‘’Darkness’’, ‘’Superstitions’’ and ‘’Beware: do not read this poem’’ show the alignment between superstitions and culture or religion. Superstitions are being spread all around the world showing a disconnect in the exploration of shaping beliefs in my society. I do not believe in superstitions as it does not match my culture or religion. People should stop believing in superstitions, as they hold back cruelty and evilness, building false mindsets for future generations.
Work cited:
- ‘60 Common Superstitions That People Around The World Believe’. YourTango, 11 Aug. 2022, https://www.yourtango.com/self/common-superstitions-from-around-world-people-believe.
To begin with, I liked how your personal opinion on superstitions is steadily stated throughout your writing. Your explanation on superstitions' impact on societal beliefs is backed up with significant examples. I also found it interesting when you mentioned that believing in superstitions is like judging a book by its cover, which emphasizes on the lack of awareness and in-depth thinking regarding illogical beliefs. Generally, you had a competent arguement on supersitions, as you included multiple perspectives, such as religion. Since I am not familiar with the literature works you mentioned, I would have loved it if you included a brief summary of the texts' themes.
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