Characteristics Of Monsters In English Literature

Decent Essays
Americans today tend to believe that English literature holds the greatest writing of all time dating back to Shakespearian’s time to Ken Dahl’s Monsters. But what is literature? Well according to the Oxford English Dictionary, literature is a “written work valued for superior or lasting artistic merit (OED)”. Many may argue whether or not Monsters is a valid literary contribution to English literature. Likewise, Monsters has many aspects to be a contribution to English literature. Conversely, Monsters does not share various characteristics that would be a valid literary contribution. Ken Dahl uses STD’s or Herpes to create a plot for his novel. Arguably, in many eyes this book may be defined as “disgusting” or “sickening” due to the language …show more content…
Great literary contributions exceed at grammatical levels as well as achieving artistic merit. An individual may argue that American literature strictly holds superior writing. Monsters does not achieve the standards required. Consequently, Ken fails to create a book of excellence. Consider the plot of Monsters. Monsters can argue as a book with American ideals or a book about herpes. Herpes is the main content of the graphic novel and does create a excellence in writing therefore objects the American literature. For instance, Ken writes, “Did you know that like 60% of American adults have oral herpes (Dahl 187)”. This book is great but superior writing is no where to be found. Ken continues throughout the book to describe the life of an infected human. Moreover, Ken provides factual evidence that a reader may use to improve their own lifestyles. I praise Ken to include several pages of background information on herpes. Ken delivers through writing, “Herpes is the common name for the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) (110-120 Dahl) Ken includes the importance of herpes, the affects and the functions of the disease. Despite the fact that Monsters includes factual evidence, the graphic novels is adequate in achieving …show more content…
Dahl uses herpes as a conflict in the graphic novel that not nearly achieves excellence. Monsters is a graphic novel written to entertain and educate a reader. Like many educational and entertaining novels, Monsters uses foul language and pornographic content to prove a point. I believe Monsters does not represent a valid contribution due to the lack of content and the unwillingness to create artistic merit. Monsters does contain American ideals such as minimum wage jobs but that is not sufficient enough to be considered American literature. Many great books are written to connect with a reader. Not every book can represent American literature due to the high standards. Nevertheless, many great books achieve the standards. Monsters represents great educational purpose to young adults who arguable understand the concept of sex and the risks. Not every book satisfies the criteria of American

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