“Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” - C. S. Lewis
In saying this, C.S. Lewis wishes to express that literature is fantastic and improves the quality of the life of any reader. I believe this to be factual because C.S. Lewis so rightly explains that "[Reading] irrigates the deserts that our lives have become." This would lead one to believe that C.S. Lewis supports reading and literature of all forms. This fine quotation also allows me to conclude that C.S. Lewis was an avid reader himself.
This quote relates to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea because the book does add to reality, with its vivid description, believable characters, and unbelievable events. This quote also relates to me, because I believe that reading is very interesting and important.
P.S. I highly recommend 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
But what I believe he means is that literature does not DESCRIBE things to make them seem real, because a book could be very bad and not describe anything, but it still adds to reality. A book and a piece of literature are things and are part of being real they don't just describe things to make them believable. That is not the goal of a book. Its goal is to add to reality.
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