This reel contains Michio Masui speaking at the University of Denver on April 11 1973 as part of the English Department Lecture Series. The primary topic for his lecture is the function of literature at the present time. Masui makes note of the different cultural backgrounds between Japan and America and that those differences may have an impact on perceptions of literature. Masui focuses on a comparative analysis of Japaneese and English literature. He also asks the question of whether literature still has a healing and redeeming power for people. This question provides the impetus for the rest of his lecture.This is the first of two recordings.Total run time: 1:08:10