The multicultural literature represents the different cultures and beliefs around the world . It portrays people’s lifestyles, conceptions, ideas and values of a particular group which allow the reader to grasp a clear understanding of the culture been exposed.
What is multicultural literature?
Broadly defined, multicultural literature includes literature about people who are considered outside of the mainstream of society and have been in some manner marginalized . This definition would include people from diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds.
What are characteristics of multicultural literature?
- Shows the characters as unique individuals.
- Portrays all people as being respected for being themselves not for their outstanding abilities to gain approval.
- Shows the characters as physically diverse.
- Allows the reader to identify with the characters.
What are some examples of multicultural literature?
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Afghanistan.
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: Igbo people of Nigeria.
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: Colombia.
What is the purpose of multicultural literature?
Multicultural literature serves as a powerful tool in enabling students to gain a better understanding of both their own culture and the cultures of others . Through this deeper knowledge, relationships can be strengthened, bridging the gap between students from diverse cultural backgrounds (Hseu & Hetzel, 2000).
How do we choose multicultural literature?
- General Accuracy. Books should contain current, correct information. ...
- Stereotypes. Beware of reinforcing stereotypes. ...
- Setting. Books should include accurate settings. ...
- Language. ...
- Epithets. ...
- Illustrations. ...
- Author’s Perspective. ...
- Appealing Stories.
What are the requirements for multicultural literature?
High quality multicultural literature shares five major characteristics: accuracy, expertise, respect, purpose, and quality . These five characteristics serve as excellent evaluation criteria.
Why is literature important to culture?
Literature allows us to transmit the profound meanings of a determinate culture , its stereotypes, archetypes and collective in conscience, creating the possibility of social change through a critic that is able to act into the subliminal world of emotions.
What is the difference between multicultural literature and culturally diverse literature?
Diversity is defined as the differences between people. ... Multiculturalism is more complex than simply noticing the diversity or differences that exist in society. Multiculturalism focuses on being inclusiveness, understanding, respecting, and acknowledging unequal power in society.
What are the multicultural elements?
The six multicultural elements include effective practices such as the incorporation of student language and culture , use of students’ prior knowledge and experiences, support for a variety of learning styles and multiple intelligences, active student participation and interaction, implementation of cooperative ...
Why is multicultural literature important in the classroom?
Multicultural literature can be used as a tool to open students’ minds. It helps to stimulate an understanding of diversity in the classroom and helps to build an understanding of and respect for people from other cultures. Also, multicultural literature can be used to examine racism (Colby & Lyon, 2004).
What is the importance of multiculturalism?
Multiculturalism enables people live their originality consciously and without authorization the other cultures . In this sense, multiculturalism is a cultural wealth for living together. Moreover, for people who have different cultures living together makes it necessary to find a way of intercultural communication.
What defines cultural diversity?
Cultural Diversity is the existence of a variety of cultural groups within a society . Cultural groups can share many different characteristics. ... Culture, religion, ethnicity, language, nationality, sexual orientation, class, gender, age, disability, health differences, geographic location and lots of other things.
How does literature reflect culture?
Literature reflects both actual historical events and the culture of a people . You can tell what everyday life is like through literature in a way like no other. You learn about their technology, what they care about, prejudices and hopes and fears. It also shows what the culture wants from itself.
What is the importance of multicultural education?
An important goal of multicultural education is to help students acquire the knowledge and commitments needed to make reflective decisions and to take personal, social, and civic action to promote democracy and democratic living .
Why is learning world literature important?
The world literature emerged because of the development of global economic and cultural relations . It is essential to study world literature as it helps us understand the life of different people from all over the world, forms our world-outlook and acquaints us with the masterpieces of literature.
