Literature as a vital requirement: Michèle Petit's perspective on the importance of literary reading in times of crisis

Abstract

This article explores the role of literary reading as a tool for resilience and transformation in times of crisis, based on the works of Michèle Petit, such as “The Art of Reading or How to Resist Adversity” (2008), “Praise of Reading: The Construction of the Self” (2002), and “Youth and Reading” (2008). Petit argues that reading goes beyond mere entertainment, serving as a space for inner freedom and identity construction, particularly in contexts of adversity. The identified gap is the need for a deeper understanding of how literary reading contributes to human resilience during crises. The study aimed to investigate how literature can support the reinterpretation of experiences and identity reconstruction, fostering self-awareness and critical reflection. The methodology adopted was an integrative literature review of Petit’s main works, organizing data into thematic matrices for systematization. The results indicate that literary reading, besides providing emotional comfort, acts as a means of resistance and transgression, challenging social structures and promoting personal and collective emancipation. The study concludes that literature plays a vital role in building a more conscious and resilient identity, contributing to the development of active and critical citizenship. It also suggests expanding the research with other authors and empirical approaches to enrich the understanding of the topic.