Kevin Feijo Professor Susan Lago.

English 1500 The digital age has taken the way one understands literature and transformed it in a revolutionary way. The internet can provide clarity and help define words, translate words, or even entire texts. The use of the technology has simplified the way people understand literature and has also opened the door of opportunity for more because of the availability of electronic books. In addition to things like e-books, the creation of internet forums has given people an endless outlet where they can state their interpretation of a work and view the interpretations and opinions of others, creating virtual book clubs of sorts. The digital age has an effect on communication, weaponry, medical equipment, and literature is no exception to the evolution into the digital age. The convenience technology provides for comprehension increases productivity by helping to save time. Imagine reading a book and coming across a word that you do not know and cannot infer from its context; now imagine this happening in 1995 versus it happening it 2014. In 1995, one would have to find a dictionary, look for the word, define it, and then continue to read. Now imagine performing the same task in 2014; one simply has to ask "Siri" to "define (word)", or type the word into "Google", then return to the book, that may even be on the same device you have accessed Google from. With having to perform little to no extra work to define the word, thanks to technology, one can process literature faster. Also, rather than having to look for a synonym in a paper thesaurus, one can also use an internet thesaurus to find synonyms for words they do not quite understand or use it to increase their vocabulary. The

speed at which both defining and finding new words has greatly increased has simplified the understanding the English language and literature. The digital era has developed a revolutionary way of consolidating entire libraries into an object no longer than a composition notebook and no thicker than an index finger, which makes the portability and accessibility of a larger selection much easier. These devices, known as ereaders, service the purpose of more efficient reading. E-readers provide the convenience of being able to buy books online, carrying hundreds of books in one small device, and the clarity of looking up a word simply by highlighting it. E-readers offer the convenience of being connected to the internet which makes even the most challenging authors more easily understood. This is partly because of built-in dictionaries and thesauri; this is also partly because of the access to online interpretations and translations which break the literature down into its simplest form. This aids in comprehension and often when one understands and appreciates the work of a particular writer, he or she will continue read their works. With the popularity of ereaders increasing, reading rates have increased as well. Since the most recent holiday season reading rates among adults have increased from 17% to 21%. This technology is also credited with increasing the reading ability of children. E-readers are sparking people's interest in literature in all forms; from downloading books onto their personal computers, e-readers, or going to the bookstore technology has imparted the appreciation of literature to readers. Certain writers are known for their complex use of symbolism, metaphors, similes, and language. Shakespeare, for example, writes in such an old and complex way that there are people whom specialize in understanding his writings; writing that is so complex, it is often considered to be its own language. Shakespeare's plays can be incredibly difficult to understand upon their initial read. However, thanks to the aforementioned specialists of the Shakespearean language,

there are forms of Shakespeare's plays available online that are translated into a more modern form of English. Consider "The Feast of Crispin" in Henry V, one of the greatest speeches ever. Consider reading it in its original format and coming across a line saying "I am not covetous for gold, nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; it yearns me not if men my garments wear." With the different wording, the strange placement of pronouns and mixture of some words one may have never read before, it develops into a conundrum of confusion. I am not trying to say that Shakespeare's way of writing is wrong, but more out-dated because the way people speak changes over time. Now reading it in its translation to modern English and it becomes: "I am not interested in gold, nor do I care who eats at my expense. It does not bother me who wears my clothes." Written in more modern English, this excerpt becomes much easier to understand which makes it easier to appreciate. Other writers such as Sylvia Plath can also be difficult to understand. Plath implements German and military words and phrases in her poem "Daddy" which are also difficult to understand without any prior knowledge. Because of the Internet I was able to decipher her phrase "panzer-man". I discovered that a "panzer-man" was a tank driver, which I believe to be a description of her father's destructiveness as a Nazi. I also was able to translate several German words such as "Luftwaffe" which means air force, or "ich" which means "I". The internet provided a very easy way to translate theses German words, and provided clarity for not only Plath's difficult works but Shakespeare and other writers in the future. The digital age brought on texting, instant messaging, and social media and what one thing does one need in order to partake in these crazes? The answer is simple: the ability to read. In order for literature to be understood, it must be able to be read. With children being the most active users of these trends known as social media, it has positively affected their reading

capabilities. This phenomenon is known as "e-literacy". E-literacy is the idea that a child is subconsciously learning to read through the use of digital devices. It is true that most kids would rather tweet, update their Facebook status, or alter Wikipedia entries than sit down with a book, but if these activities are developing reading skills, then they should be promoted. School systems should promote e-literacy and encourage on its development by providing sophisticated literature. Coming up with an interpretation is a part of literature. An interpretation of literature is subjective to an individual's thoughts and the internet has become an outlet for people to voice those interpretations and view the interpretations' of others. For "My Papa Waltz" by Theodore Roethke, the text seems to come across as if a little boy is dancing with his drunk father, like when Roethke writes "The whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy; but I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy." But upon a close reading of the poem, it could also been interrelated as a boy being beaten by his father. "We romped until the pans slide from the kitchen shelf At every step you missed my right ear scraped a buckle" these sentences show the lack of elegance in their "dancing" and the wording also implies that they are moving more aggressively. Roethke also rhymes the words "breath" and "death", which I find to be his way of displaying the love he has for his father despite his Dad's actions. The digital age has developed forums for discussions of interpretations. I find being able to compare and contrast different ideas of the same work can broaden my understanding of a work. Often when I am comparing my interpretation to others' I find support for my own ideas or discover a new way of looking at the work and develop different ideas and appreciation just by reading it from a different perspective.

The digital age has drastically changed the way people take in literature. The digital age has provided us with more access to literature and several different forums to discuss the literature. The digital era has not only redefined the way we understand literature but the way we understand everything. Nearly everything evolves with time - literacy included.

WORK CITED

1. Kang, Cecilia. Survey Finds e-readers are Spurring Consumers of Books in all Formats The Washington Post. April 4th, 2012 Washington D.C.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/survey-finds-e-readers-are-spurring-consumers-ofbooks-in-all-formats/2012/04/04/gIQAo1T8vS_story.html

2. Raab, Ralph. Books and Literacy in the Dital Age American Libraries. July 13, 2010. Accessed January 28th 2014. http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/article/books-and-literacy-digital-age 3. Shakespeare, William. Saint Crispins Day Henry V. January 13th, 1998. Accessed January 28th, 2014 http://www.gonderzone.org/Library/Knights/crispen.htm 4. Wood, Kerry M. Poetry Analysis: My Papas Waltz My Papas Waltz. April 26th, 2009. Accessed
January 28th, 2014

http://www.mandys-pages.com/poetry/poetry-analysis/64-poetry-analysis-my-papa-s-waltz