I want to know why it is important to study literature in high school. I want to know why it is important to study literature in high school.

Throughout the
history of the world there has been an ongoing conversation of the ideas and  values that shape
our society and have shaped each successive society.  If you want to take part of this
"Great Conversation" of ideas that underlie the very world that we live in - our
governments, our religions, our culture, our entertainment, and our economy, you need to
understand the conversation that has happened previously before you can truly jump into its
current.  If you have ever tried to jump into a conversation in the middle - you should see how
awkward that can be - you will often merely rehash old ideas that have already been said.  This
conversation was not played out in speech, it has been played out in the great works of
literature, philosophy, and history.  This is why literature is important.    It asks the
questions and poses the answers to universal questions of life that have effected mankind over
the course of existence.  It encourages you to think about why you do what you do and question
whether you are truly thinking about the results of your actions.  These types of questions
allow you to help shape your world rather than being shaped by a culture that you do not really
understand.