In his essay La littérature ça paye, Antoine Compagnon thoughtfully questions the value of literature in a world dominated by numbers and productivity. At a time when economic utility often defines the legitimacy of disciplines, he asks: Is literature still necessary, and if so, what is its purpose?

Rather than offering a single answer, Compagnon explores various facets of this question. He demonstrates that literature
has never been about financial gain but enriches the mind and fosters critical thinking.

This text is a passionate defense of literature, which, while it may not “pay” in financial terms, possesses an invaluable
intrinsic worth. Compagnon advocates for the importance of preserving literary education, reminding us that literature shapes
free thinkers, capable of imagining, questioning, and resisting conformity.

At LIFT, we fully embrace this humanistic approach to reading, striving to help students find their own path through regular engagement with diverse and unique literary voices.