Final answer:
Michael Mack views reading literature as using a lens that provides insights into the real world, teaching about society and the self while opening up dialogues reflecting on real-life challenges and human interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Michael Mack, the act of reading literature is akin to using a lens to better understand the real world. By examining literature in this way, readers can focus on specific aspects of the text that reflect and challenge one's moral standards and view of reality. Literature is seen as a cultural relic, with the power to teach about society and the self. It offers an armchair exploration of diverse experiences and ideals, opening up dialogue about real-life issues and human interactions through the narratives of characters, which can result in profound learning for life.
Literature invites different perspectives, acknowledging both the malleability of language and the variety of individual interpretations that arise from readers' unique experiences. As a lens, literary theory helps in scrutinizing these texts, which may either reinforce or challenge our preconceptions about the world. Engaging with literature critically and with an open mind leads to a richer understanding as books can offer nuanced insights into human nature and the complexities of life.