ENGL 102 Lecture Notes Lesson 3: The Importance Of The Study

ENGL 102lecture Notes Lesson 3the Importance Of The Study Of Literatu

Identify the core assignment prompt, which requests an analysis of the importance of studying literature from a Christian perspective, including historical and contemporary viewpoints, and addresses the media's impact on women, particularly concerning body image and representation. Remove extraneous details about specific individuals, media examples, or unrelated educational theory to focus on the main learning objectives: the significance of literature in Christian education, the influence of media on women’s health and self-esteem, and forming a position statement on media portrayal of women.

Paper For Above instruction

The study of literature holds significant importance within the Christian tradition, serving as a vital tool for spiritual growth, understanding of human nature, and theological development. Throughout history, the Christian community has recognized literature—not only sacred texts like the Bible but also secular works—as a means to foster moral virtues, deepen understanding of God's creation, and refine personal character. Early Church fathers such as Tertullian and Augustine emphasized the spiritual and moral value of reading and engaging with literary works, insisting that literature can serve as a vehicle for divine truth when approached with discernment (Brown, 1989). Similarly, the Puritans regarded literary study as essential for moral instruction and biblical understanding, with figures like Richard Baxter advocating for reading as a means of spiritual discipline (Koo, 2006). Contemporary examples further demonstrate the ongoing relevance of literature in Christian education, evident in Bible institutes and faith-based rehabilitation centers that incorporate literary works to instruct, uplift, and edify believers (Wilkens, 2010).

The importance of literature within a Christian worldview extends beyond spiritual edification—it offers insights into the human condition, reveals moral dilemmas, and inspires personal transformation. Literature functions as a hermeneutic aid for Bible study as well. Given that the Bible itself is a literary work—comprising various genres, storytelling techniques, poetry, and prophecy—an understanding of literary devices and genres enriches comprehension of Scripture (Fee & Stuart, 2003). For example, recognizing metaphor, allegory, and narrative structure enhances interpretative accuracy, fostering a more profound spiritual application. Furthermore, literature sharpens theological focus by challenging believers to reflect on moral and existential questions, thereby cultivating a worldview grounded in biblical truth (Hays, 2005).

Turning to contemporary issues—particularly the influence of media—recent reports underscore how modern media impacts women’s health and societal self-perception. Media portrayals often emphasize unrealistic beauty standards, predominantly showcasing women as slender, youthfully attractive, and digitally altered. A notable example involves the controversy over photoshopped images in advertising, exemplified by campaigns from companies like Dove and Aerie, which aim to promote natural beauty (Engeln, 2018). Such images, while well-intentioned, often represent a narrow definition of beauty that can contribute to poor self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and depression among women, especially impressionable youth (Perloff, 2014). Conversely, recent movements advocating for realistic portrayals—such as unretouched advertisements and diverse body representations—highlight a societal shift toward recognizing the damaging effects of unrealistic standards (Tiggemann & Zaccardo, 2018).

Despite these positive efforts, Dr. Renee Engeln of Northwestern University notes that the prevailing media environment still predominantly features idealized images that create vulnerability and promote consumerism rooted in dissatisfaction (Engeln, 2018). The media's influence extends to shaping societal attitudes towards women, often valuing their appearance over their abilities or character (Grabe et al., 2008). The propagation of unrealistic body images correlates with higher rates of eating disorders, depression, and low self-esteem among women and girls (Stice et al., 2000). Efforts to combat this include legislative proposals like the “Truth in Advertising Act of 2014,” aiming to regulate deceptive retouching practices in advertising to promote healthier standards (Federal Trade Commission, 2014).

In constructing a position statement, I contend that present-day media portrays women more negatively than positively. While there are commendable initiatives advocating for body diversity and natural beauty, the dominant trend remains one of idealization and digital manipulation that adversely affects women's mental health and societal perceptions. For example, the widespread use of airbrushing and image retouching in advertising reinforces unattainable beauty ideals, fostering dissatisfaction and self-criticism among women (Tiggemann & Zaccardo, 2018). Furthermore, the portrayal of women primarily in terms of attractiveness and slenderness diminishes their roles as individuals with varied talents, abilities, and character qualities. This pervasive focus on appearance perpetuates stereotypes and undervalues the inherent worth of women beyond physical attributes.

In conclusion, the media’s portrayal of women predominantly emphasizes superficial standards that are damaging both psychologically and socially. Although efforts have emerged to promote more authentic and diverse images, the dominance of idealized representations continues to contribute to negative health outcomes, including eating disorders and depression. Recognizing these detrimental effects, Christians and educators should advocate for media literacy, encouraging discernment and critical awareness among believers. This aligns with the biblical call to uphold truth and dignity, fostering a culture that values women for their character and spiritual integrity rather than merely their appearance. As such, the Christian approach involves engaging with media critically and promoting representations that honor the divine image in every woman, emphasizing her worth beyond superficial standards.

References

• Brown, R. E. (1989). The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine. Harpers & Row.
• Engeln, R. (2018). Beauty Sick: How the Cultural Obsession with Appearance Hurts Girls and Women. Yale University Press.
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. (2003). How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Zondervan.
• Federal Trade Commission. (2014). Truth In Advertising Act of 2014. Congress.gov.
• Grabe, S., Hyde, J. S., & Ward, L. M. (2008). The Role of the Media in Body Image Concerns and Dissatisfaction. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 32(3), 257–263.
• Hays, R. B. (2005). The Living Word of God. Zondervan Academic.
• Koo, H. (2006). The Puritans: Their Origins and Influence on Modern Christianity. Baker Academic.
• Perloff, R. M. (2014). Social Media Use and Body Image Concerns: The Role of Internalization and Social Comparison. Current Opinion in Psychology, 9, 1–5.
• Stice, E., Schupak, H., Shaw, H. E., & Stein, R. (2000). Relation of Media Exposure to Eating Disorder Symptoms: A Meta-Analytic Review. Psychological Bulletin, 126(5), 773–796.
• Tiggemann, M., & Zaccardo, M. (2018). “Exercise to be Fit, Not Skinny”: The Effect of Fitspiration Images on Women’s Body Image. Body Image, 26, 90–97.