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Literal Interpretation In Literature - College Papers

Literal Interpretation In Literature

Literature is meant to provide a perspective on life. Phrases or quotes
found in works of literature may be used to help express one's own thoughts, to
describe a particular situation, or even to apply the circumstances in another
piece of literature. Readers often utilize literary quotes for this purpose,
yet not every reader will interpret a given quote the same way. One example of
a phrase which can have many different meanings is the biblical quote "The sins
of the father visit upon the children."

A literal interpretation of the above quote would mean the wrongdoings of
the father somehow affects the children. If the "bad habits" of one generation
aren't corrected, they will ...

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this biblical quote
may be interpreted literally.

"The sins of the father visit upon the children" has a deeper meaning than
that described above. For example, "father" could be changed to "parent," and
these "parents" could mean "generations" that precede the children. A situation
that would represent that would be war or pollution. A second example which
illustrates how this quote may be interpreted on a more global level is
preceding generations could affect the children by means of racial
discrimination that has been passed down from long ago. This may have started
with slavery and segregation. Then, as generations follow, racial
discrimination is passed. All of these situations prove that one quote may have
many different meanings.

A third way to interpret this biblical quote is to change the word "sins"
to a more general or positive term such as "behaviors", "expectations",
"experiences", or even "good deeds". By making such a substitution, the ...

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Literal Interpretation In Literature. (2004, February 27). Retrieved May 7, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Literal-Interpretation-In-Literature/3753

"Literal Interpretation In Literature." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 27 Feb. 2004. Web. 7 May. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Literal-Interpretation-In-Literature/3753>

"Literal Interpretation In Literature." Essayworld.com. February 27, 2004. Accessed May 7, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Literal-Interpretation-In-Literature/3753.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 2/27/2004 08:34:24 PM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 768
Pages: 3

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