what are some postive effects on american students for reading books by authors of different nationalites?

Answer 1

Some positive effects are to be introduced to different cultures and customs, as well as different styles of writing. The reader also can come to the realization even though you may come from different cultures, some of your experiences and feelings are the same.
Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart" was probably one of the best books I ever read...

This is an aside to the person above me...you're being extrememly reductionistic and stereotypical in your categorization of americans. how could you possibly assume that all americans feel that they are the "end all, be all"? Also, if you live here you are an american. if you no longer speak the language or partake in the culture from the country that your family orginated from generations ago, how can you possibly represent that country and its culture?
I'm not a great patriot, nor do I believe that america is such a wonderful place. However, your comments generalize the feelings and attitudes of an entire country; and if an american did that to another country i'm sure you would take great offense.
Also, there are plenty of great american writers. Mark Twain, for example, Walt Whitman for another. Abraham Lincoln, who wrote mainly for the purposes of oration, was quite good at it, and continues to inspire people to this day.
I'm sorry to start an arguement in this question, but perhaps you should do your homework before you open your mouth (or put your fingers to the keys)

Answer 2

Positive effects include allowing Americans to understand that they are not the be all and end all. America doesn't rule the world, it likes to think that but it doesn't. Reading other authors from other nationalities allows Americans to realise that the world is not the united states but the world is every country including the united states.
Also the united states is a relatively new nation and all the greatest writers that speak English have come from Europe and without there influence what is the point in studying literature. For example does America have the likes of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, w.b Yeats and Emile Bronte all who come from Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Don't forget also to ask yourself what is an American, there is no such thing as an American except for the few native Indians that are left. Americans I'm afraid are all emigrants, the white Americans 6 or 7 generations ago are europeans. So raise the question why read these books. well a reason is because these authors are your ancestors just like they are our ancestors in europe.

Answer 3

Aside from the benefits of learning about other people, there's the benefit of learning about other writing styles.
I think of the magical realism that I first read in Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and the epic poem format referenced in Halldor Laxness' book Independent People.

Edit: Reading the answer below confirms that it is not only Americans who can benefit from reading world literature. Brilliant writers are all over the globe. It's just another aspect of humanity to appreciate.

Answer 4

It helps us understand other cultures. It broadens our horizons. Sometimes it makes the flow of current events more understandable.

A recent example might be the Kite Runner. We were all aware, at least vaguely, of the conflict in Afghanistan between the Soviets and the Taliban. This was presented on a more personal level. We learned about different ethnic groups in that country and the prejudices that accompany them. We learned about Afghan culture, about Afghani immigrants in California. And we learned about kite flying and kite runners.

Answer 5

By reading books from different nationalities also means different cultures. So we gain a new perspective by looking at things through the eyes of a different culture/society.

Answer 6

Learning about different people, places and things.