What does it mean to be human? It’s a deep question but the “human condition is the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality”. (Wikipedia)
The “human condition” in literature can be used to describe literature that places characters in situations that the average person faces day to day or will at some point face in their lifetime. Often called an “everyman”, this type of literary character brings books to life for us.
The benefits of reading about these literary characters facing similar circumstances even though they may occur in a different time and place are many. It can help us to better understand our world and see it from different perspectives which can result in knowing a different degree of empathy for one another and society in general. Listed below are a dozen books that have the ability to do just that!
Latest Posts
While nearly every college and university today is eager to accept homeschooled students into their institutions, homeschooling families need to understand that their student’s application…
Read more >Guest Post by Gabriel Morse For several years, I sat for long hours every day behind one of those battleship gray desks in a windowless, dull, gray office. The pay was enough to take care…
Read more >This post is sponsored by Little Monsters Universe. I'm Tina Salmanowitz, an advocate for homeschooling and science education. With over a decade of experience as a science educator (in class…
Read more >