Great literature has long been a window into the human experience. Through its characters and stories, we gain insight into how people react to life’s challenges, and in doing so, we uncover truths about ourselves. The emotional weight of a character’s triumphs and tragedies resonates with us, drawing us into their world and, by extension, into a deeper understanding of humanity. But how much of this understanding is universal, and how much is tied to the specific time, place, and society in which the story was written?

“Reading is an honor and a gift from a warrior or historian who—a decade or a thousand decades ago—set aside time to write. He distilled a lifetime of campaigning in order to have a “conversation” with you.” – Jim Mattis, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead

The Cultural Barrier to Understanding Literature

A significant catch in using literature to understand human nature is that many great works were created in societies vastly different from our own. When we read The Odyssey, Dante’s Inferno, or The Consolation of Philosophy, we are stepping into a worldview that is fundamentally different from our modern perspectives. Their authors lived in different times, with different values, customs, and beliefs. So, to what extent can we truly relate to their experiences? Are we only absorbing a partial view of the human condition—one that is filtered through the lens of a foreign culture? Or do we merely think we relate, projecting our own experiences onto stories whose original meanings may elude us?

The Universality of the Human Condition

While cultures differ, certain aspects of human nature appear to transcend time and place. Themes of love, loss, honor, betrayal, and resilience are constant throughout literature, regardless of the setting. Reading Boethius’ The Consolation of Philosophy, for example, reveals a timeless understanding of the mind’s ability to reframe suffering—ideas strikingly similar to modern cognitive behavioral therapy. These psychological insights existed long before they were formally named or studied.

Even if Boethius lived in a society different from ours, his reflections on misfortune and the fickleness of fate still hold true today. We have all, at some point, done the right thing for the right reason, only to suffer an unjust outcome. This realization—that success is not always measured by outcomes but by integrity—remains as relevant now as it was then.

“Books are the mirrors of the soul.” – Virginia Woolf

Does Context Matter?

While literature can teach us profound truths about ourselves, understanding the cultural and historical context of a work can deepen our appreciation of it. A person well-versed in history may grasp nuances that a casual reader might miss. However, does this deeper understanding mean the insights are inaccessible to others? Not necessarily. The core emotional and philosophical truths in literature can often be understood without a historical background—though the depth of insight may vary.

Perhaps the real test is whether someone unfamiliar with a text’s cultural background can still extract meaningful lessons from it. If literature is truly a goldmine of human wisdom, then the treasures it holds should be discoverable by all who take the time to dig.

The Treasure Hunt of Literature

Great literature is like a treasure hunt—rich with wisdom, but requiring effort to unearth. Some insights are immediately apparent, while others require us to dig deeper, exploring not just the text but the historical and philosophical foundations beneath it. The process itself is part of the reward.

Despite the differences in time and place, there is something profoundly unifying in reading the words of those who lived centuries before us and finding pieces of ourselves within them. Whether we are separated by millennia or merely decades, literature continues to remind us that, in the end, the human experience is more connected than we might think.

“We read to know we are not alone.” – C.S. Lewis

Excerpt

Great literature transcends time, offering insights into human nature. While cultural differences shape stories, universal themes like love, loss, and resilience remain relevant. Understanding context deepens appreciation, but wisdom is still accessible. Literature is a treasure hunt—rich with timeless truths, waiting to be unearthed by those willing to explore.