Vieroslava Dyson

In today’s globally connected world, literature gives us a powerful way to step into someone else’s shoes and experience life from a new perspective. 

The students began an exciting journey into cross-cultural literature — exploring how stories, poems, and voices from different corners of the world reveal the beauty and diversity of human experience.

The lesson began with an introduction to the concept of cross-cultural literature. Students discussed how authors express their cultural identity through language, imagery, and themes — and how literature can both preserve tradition and challenge cultural norms. From ancient folktales to modern verse, the class explored how stories act as bridges between people and places, inviting readers to see the world through fresh eyes.

Exploring Cultural Voices

African Folklore:
We began our exploration with the African folktale “Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky.” Students listened as the story unfolded, learning how traditional African storytelling uses myth to explain natural phenomena and convey moral lessons. The tale sparked discussion about the importance of oral traditions and how myths connect communities through shared understanding.

Japanese Haiku:
Next, we traveled to Japan through the delicate words of Matsuo Bashō’s haikus. Students examined how these short, nature-inspired poems capture fleeting moments of beauty and emotion. The class discussed the role of simplicity and silence in Japanese art and how haikus encourage mindfulness — an appreciation for the present moment.

Latin American Magical Realism:
Finally, we entered the vivid world of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude. Students read an excerpt that illustrated magical realism, where the extraordinary and the everyday coexist naturally. Through this style, Latin American writers reveal deep truths about political struggles, social change, and the blending of myth and reality in their cultural heritage.

This lesson plan encourages students to think critically about how culture shapes storytelling and how, despite our differences, literature connects us through shared humanity.