Logo

The Incredible Impact of Literature on Society

Disha Dahiya

Stories and literature wield an unparalleled influence on society, shaping our perceptions, values, and understanding of the world. From ancient myths passed down through oral traditions to contemporary novels that reflect our modern complexities, the power of storytelling transcends time and culture. This critical literary introduction seeks to explore the multifaceted impact of literature on society, digging into its ability to provoke introspection, challenge societal norms, and foster empathy.

Impact of Literature on Society

At the heart of this discussion lies the fundamental role of stories as a medium for human connection. Through narratives, individuals find a common ground to share their experiences, fears, and aspirations, forging a collective understanding of the human condition. Literature, as the written form of storytelling, amplifies this connection by immortalizing narratives that resonate across generations. Moreover, stories and literature serve as mirrors that reflect and refract societal values and beliefs. They not only capture the zeitgeist of their time but also have the power to shape it. By presenting alternative perspectives and challenging established norms, literature becomes a catalyst for societal change, prompting readers to question the status quo and envision new possibilities.

Furthermore, stories have a profound impact on the moral and ethical fabric of society. Through compelling characters and intricate plots, literature explores the complexities of human nature, posing timeless questions about morality and the human condition. This exploration often leads to a deeper understanding of oneself and others, fostering empathy and compassion within society . We can also say that stories and literature are not merely forms of entertainment or escapism; they are powerful tools that shape our understanding of the world and our place in it. Through their ability to provoke thought, challenge norms, and foster empathy, stories and literature continue to be indispensable elements of the human experience.

The influence of stories and literature on society has been a subject of contemplation for philosophers and thinkers throughout history. According to Plato, “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Here Plato emphasizes the transformative power of literature in enriching human experience and expanding the boundaries of thought. Aristotle believed that literature, particularly tragedy, had a profound effect on the audience by evoking emotions such as pity and fear. He saw storytelling as a means to achieve catharsis, a purification of these emotions, which he considered essential for the well-being of individuals and society. Thomas Hobbes, in his political philosophy, highlighted the importance of storytelling in the formation of societal structures. He argued that stories and myths played a crucial role in creating a shared understanding of authority and governance, which are essential for maintaining social order. Modern literary criticism, influenced by various literary theories, emphasizes the role of literature in shaping cultural narratives and challenging established norms. Literary critics analyze how storytelling techniques and narrative structures influence the way we perceive the world and ourselves. Many writers and authors have expressed the transformative power of literature through their works. For example, Maya Angelou said, “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him”. These ideas illustrate the profound impact of stories and literature on society, from shaping individual minds to influencing cultural and political structures.

Literature as a Means of Fostering Human Connection

Literature, with its ability to transcend time and space, serves as a powerful medium for fostering human connection. Through the art of storytelling, literature brings people together, creating a shared space where diverse perspectives, emotions, and experiences converge.    Stories are a fundamental way in which humans connect with each other. They provide a medium for sharing experiences, emotions, and ideas across time and space. Plato noted that “Those who tell the stories rule society” highlighting the influential role of storytellers in shaping societal narratives and norms.

At the heart of this discussion lies the concept of empathy, which plays a pivotal role in fostering human connection through literature. As philosopher Martha Nussbaum argues, literature has the unique ability to cultivate empathy by allowing readers to step into the shoes of characters from different backgrounds and cultures. By immersing themselves in the lives of fictional or historical figures, readers develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of human existence, leading to greater compassion and connection with others.

Furthermore, literature serves as a bridge that transcends barriers of time, space, and culture, uniting individuals across generations and geographical boundaries. The works of classic writers like Shakespeare or contemporary authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie provide readers with a window into the human experience, highlighting universal themes of love, loss, and resilience that resonate across diverse contexts. Through literature, individuals can find common ground, share their stories, and recognize the shared humanity that binds them together. Literature’s capacity to evoke empathy and transcend cultural divides makes it a potent force in fostering human connection. By engaging with literary works that challenge their perspectives and broaden their horizons, individuals can forge meaningful connections with others, enriching their lives and deepening their understanding of the world.

Literature as a Medium of Shaping Cultural Identity and Preserving Collective Memory

Literature has long been recognized as a powerful medium for shaping cultural identity and preserving collective memory. Through storytelling, writers capture the essence of a society’s values, beliefs, and traditions, thereby contributing to the formation of its cultural identity. This critical literary introduction aims to explore how literature serves as a mirror that reflects the cultural ethos of a society, drawing insights from the perspectives of philosophers, theorists, and writers.

Philosopher Martha Nussbaum highlights the role of literature in shaping cultural identity by emphasizing its ability to cultivate empathy. According to Nussbaum, literature allows readers to understand and empathize with the experiences of others, thereby fostering a sense of shared humanity and cultural belonging. Similarly, literary theorist Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of the “ chronotope ” underscores the interconnectedness of literature and culture, suggesting that literary works are deeply rooted in their cultural context and contribute to the construction of cultural identity. Moreover, writers themselves have often reflected on the role of literature in preserving collective memory. Nobel laureate Toni Morrison once remarked that literature enables societies to remember and confront their past, thereby contributing to the preservation of collective memory. By portraying historical events and cultural traditions, literature serves as a repository of a society’s collective memory, ensuring that important aspects of its history are not forgotten but rather celebrated and learned from.

Literature

Hence, literature plays a crucial role in shaping cultural identity and preserving collective memory by reflecting the values and experiences of a society. Through the insights of philosophers, theorists, and writers, we can appreciate the profound impact of literature on the formation and preservation of cultural identity and collective memory.

Literature as a Promoter of Empathy, Understanding, and Moral Reflection

Literature has long been celebrated as a powerful tool for promoting empathy and understanding among individuals. Through the art of storytelling, literature allows readers to immerse themselves in the lives and experiences of others, fostering a sense of empathy by enabling them to see the world from different perspectives. This critical literary introduction aims to explore how literature serves as a catalyst for empathy and understanding, drawing insights from the perspectives of philosophers, theorists, and writers.

Literary theorist Wayne C. Booth argues that literature provides a safe space for readers to explore complex ethical and moral dilemmas through the experiences of fictional characters, allowing them to reflect on their own values and beliefs. Moreover, writers themselves have often reflected on the role of literature in promoting empathy and moral reflection. Nobel laureate Toni Morrison once remarked that literature enables individuals to confront difficult truths about themselves and society, fostering a deeper understanding of human nature and the complexities of the human condition. By engaging with literary works that challenge their perspectives and ethical frameworks, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own moral compass and empathetic capacities, ultimately contributing to a more compassionate and understanding society. Literature’s ability to evoke empathy, stimulate understanding, and provoke moral reflection makes it a potent force for positive social change. Through the insights of philosophers, theorists, and writers, we can appreciate the profound impact of literature on promoting empathy and moral understanding, thus enriching the human experience.

The influence of stories and literature on society is profound and multifaceted. Throughout history, literature has played a pivotal role in shaping societal narratives, influencing cultural identities, and fostering human connections. By digging into the human experience and exploring universal themes, literature transcends time and culture, leaving an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of humanity. Through storytelling, writers capture the essence of their societies, preserving collective memory and shaping cultural identities. Moreover, literature acts as a catalyst for societal change, challenging established norms and prompting introspection. Furthermore, literature’s impact extends beyond societal structures, influencing individual minds and hearts.

As we navigate the complexities of the modern age, literature remains an indispensable companion, guiding us through the human experience and illuminating the path forward. Through its ability to provoke thought, challenge norms, and foster empathy, literature stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. As we continue to write and read, we carry forward the legacy of literature, ensuring that its influence on society remains as potent as ever. Hence, the impact of literature on society is profound and far-reaching, shaping our perceptions, values, and understanding of the world. From fostering human connections to challenging societal norms, literature continues to wield its influence across time and culture, enriching the human experience and shaping the course of history.

The views and opinions expressed by the author/s in this article are their personal opinions and do not represent the views of  PureSociology . You can contact the author/s at  [email protected] . The details of the authors are:

Ms. Disha Dahiya is an Assistant Professor, Department of English, Guru Kashi University, Bathinda

Related Posts

Shadows of Fashion in the Contemporary World

Shadows of Fashion in the Contemporary World

The Indispensable Relationship Between Sociology and Law

The Indispensable Relationship Between Sociology and Law

1 thought on “the incredible impact of literature on society”.

' src=

Wow, marvelous weblog layout! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you make running a blog look easy. The entire look of your site is magnificent, as well as the content material!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Literature and Society: F R Leavis Summary and Analysis

Literature and Society is an essay by F.R.Leavis. During the Matrixing decade, Leavis was once invited to ‘Union of the London School of Economics and Politics’ where he addressed students on discourse on Literature and Society. He shared his view on how literature and society are interdependent. Leavis showed great interest towards literature, tradition, education and society. He was inspired by writers and poet like T.S.Eliot, D.H.Lawrence William Blake, Bunyan and others. As a result he has contributed many books like The Great Tradition, The Common Pursuit, New Bearings In English, Dickens The Novelist, Education and University etc.

Here he connects every profession of the society to literature and their combination developing into a contribution back to society. Thus, it means literature is connected to society through various fields.

F.R Leavis conception of literature

Marxist’s theory

‘Marxist’s approach to literature seems to me unprofitable’ he says and he admits literature as a matter of isolated works of art and thinks that individuals with specific creative gifts produce such works. Marxist theory emphasizes on economic and material determinants of society.

T.S Eliot’s theory of Tradition

Augustan age

Augustan age laid greater stress on social. Their convention, standards and idiom of maturity has been proved in Tattler and Spectator . According to Leavis, an age in which tradition itself gets established is clearly an age in which writer feels one at society. Augustan Heyday and Queen Anne period were the period of confident and flourishing cultural health.

Idea of Popular and Sophisticated Culture

From Shakespeare till Marvel we can feel the refined Sophisticated, European, and courtly urban culture in literature. Leavis puts up a comparison between Dryden and Halifax, where Halifax is easy, urbane, natural and master of spoken tone and movement. He holds the true spirits of Restoration yet seems similar to Bunyan in his raciness and idiomatic life. Dryden gets lively and presents polite idiomatic ease of that new organ of metropolitan culture which is not similar to Banyan’s.In Augustan verse, the verse of polite are seen in Pope and Addison’s work.

Share this:

Published by crazzybharath3696.

View all posts by crazzybharath3696

What is literature

Literature as a Mirror: Reflecting Society, Culture, and the Human Experience

Literature as a reflection of society, literature as a reflection of culture, literature as a reflection of the human experience, the role of literature in shaping society, the influence of culture on literature, themes and motifs in literature that reflect the human experience, the impact of diverse voices in literature, the importance of reading literature for personal growth and empathy, conclusion: the enduring relevance of literature as a mirror, 2 thoughts on “literature as a mirror: reflecting society, culture, and the human experience”.

Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?

minima illo asperiores mollitia est rerum aperiam beatae ipsam qui libero. deleniti autem eius in dolorem recusandae labore mollitia voluptatibus sit ut amet distinctio.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • How to write a literary analysis essay | A step-by-step guide

How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay | A Step-by-Step Guide

Published on January 30, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 14, 2023.

Literary analysis means closely studying a text, interpreting its meanings, and exploring why the author made certain choices. It can be applied to novels, short stories, plays, poems, or any other form of literary writing.

A literary analysis essay is not a rhetorical analysis , nor is it just a summary of the plot or a book review. Instead, it is a type of argumentative essay where you need to analyze elements such as the language, perspective, and structure of the text, and explain how the author uses literary devices to create effects and convey ideas.

Before beginning a literary analysis essay, it’s essential to carefully read the text and c ome up with a thesis statement to keep your essay focused. As you write, follow the standard structure of an academic essay :

  • An introduction that tells the reader what your essay will focus on.
  • A main body, divided into paragraphs , that builds an argument using evidence from the text.
  • A conclusion that clearly states the main point that you have shown with your analysis.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

upload-your-document-ai-proofreader

Table of contents

Step 1: reading the text and identifying literary devices, step 2: coming up with a thesis, step 3: writing a title and introduction, step 4: writing the body of the essay, step 5: writing a conclusion, other interesting articles.

The first step is to carefully read the text(s) and take initial notes. As you read, pay attention to the things that are most intriguing, surprising, or even confusing in the writing—these are things you can dig into in your analysis.

Your goal in literary analysis is not simply to explain the events described in the text, but to analyze the writing itself and discuss how the text works on a deeper level. Primarily, you’re looking out for literary devices —textual elements that writers use to convey meaning and create effects. If you’re comparing and contrasting multiple texts, you can also look for connections between different texts.

To get started with your analysis, there are several key areas that you can focus on. As you analyze each aspect of the text, try to think about how they all relate to each other. You can use highlights or notes to keep track of important passages and quotes.

Language choices

Consider what style of language the author uses. Are the sentences short and simple or more complex and poetic?

What word choices stand out as interesting or unusual? Are words used figuratively to mean something other than their literal definition? Figurative language includes things like metaphor (e.g. “her eyes were oceans”) and simile (e.g. “her eyes were like oceans”).

Also keep an eye out for imagery in the text—recurring images that create a certain atmosphere or symbolize something important. Remember that language is used in literary texts to say more than it means on the surface.

Narrative voice

Ask yourself:

  • Who is telling the story?
  • How are they telling it?

Is it a first-person narrator (“I”) who is personally involved in the story, or a third-person narrator who tells us about the characters from a distance?

Consider the narrator’s perspective . Is the narrator omniscient (where they know everything about all the characters and events), or do they only have partial knowledge? Are they an unreliable narrator who we are not supposed to take at face value? Authors often hint that their narrator might be giving us a distorted or dishonest version of events.

The tone of the text is also worth considering. Is the story intended to be comic, tragic, or something else? Are usually serious topics treated as funny, or vice versa ? Is the story realistic or fantastical (or somewhere in between)?

Consider how the text is structured, and how the structure relates to the story being told.

  • Novels are often divided into chapters and parts.
  • Poems are divided into lines, stanzas, and sometime cantos.
  • Plays are divided into scenes and acts.

Think about why the author chose to divide the different parts of the text in the way they did.

There are also less formal structural elements to take into account. Does the story unfold in chronological order, or does it jump back and forth in time? Does it begin in medias res —in the middle of the action? Does the plot advance towards a clearly defined climax?

With poetry, consider how the rhyme and meter shape your understanding of the text and your impression of the tone. Try reading the poem aloud to get a sense of this.

In a play, you might consider how relationships between characters are built up through different scenes, and how the setting relates to the action. Watch out for  dramatic irony , where the audience knows some detail that the characters don’t, creating a double meaning in their words, thoughts, or actions.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

  • Academic style
  • Vague sentences
  • Style consistency

See an example

essay on literature is the reflection of society wikipedia

Your thesis in a literary analysis essay is the point you want to make about the text. It’s the core argument that gives your essay direction and prevents it from just being a collection of random observations about a text.

If you’re given a prompt for your essay, your thesis must answer or relate to the prompt. For example:

Essay question example

Is Franz Kafka’s “Before the Law” a religious parable?

Your thesis statement should be an answer to this question—not a simple yes or no, but a statement of why this is or isn’t the case:

Thesis statement example

Franz Kafka’s “Before the Law” is not a religious parable, but a story about bureaucratic alienation.

Sometimes you’ll be given freedom to choose your own topic; in this case, you’ll have to come up with an original thesis. Consider what stood out to you in the text; ask yourself questions about the elements that interested you, and consider how you might answer them.

Your thesis should be something arguable—that is, something that you think is true about the text, but which is not a simple matter of fact. It must be complex enough to develop through evidence and arguments across the course of your essay.

Say you’re analyzing the novel Frankenstein . You could start by asking yourself:

Your initial answer might be a surface-level description:

The character Frankenstein is portrayed negatively in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .

However, this statement is too simple to be an interesting thesis. After reading the text and analyzing its narrative voice and structure, you can develop the answer into a more nuanced and arguable thesis statement:

Mary Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

Remember that you can revise your thesis statement throughout the writing process , so it doesn’t need to be perfectly formulated at this stage. The aim is to keep you focused as you analyze the text.

Finding textual evidence

To support your thesis statement, your essay will build an argument using textual evidence —specific parts of the text that demonstrate your point. This evidence is quoted and analyzed throughout your essay to explain your argument to the reader.

It can be useful to comb through the text in search of relevant quotations before you start writing. You might not end up using everything you find, and you may have to return to the text for more evidence as you write, but collecting textual evidence from the beginning will help you to structure your arguments and assess whether they’re convincing.

To start your literary analysis paper, you’ll need two things: a good title, and an introduction.

Your title should clearly indicate what your analysis will focus on. It usually contains the name of the author and text(s) you’re analyzing. Keep it as concise and engaging as possible.

A common approach to the title is to use a relevant quote from the text, followed by a colon and then the rest of your title.

If you struggle to come up with a good title at first, don’t worry—this will be easier once you’ve begun writing the essay and have a better sense of your arguments.

“Fearful symmetry” : The violence of creation in William Blake’s “The Tyger”

The introduction

The essay introduction provides a quick overview of where your argument is going. It should include your thesis statement and a summary of the essay’s structure.

A typical structure for an introduction is to begin with a general statement about the text and author, using this to lead into your thesis statement. You might refer to a commonly held idea about the text and show how your thesis will contradict it, or zoom in on a particular device you intend to focus on.

Then you can end with a brief indication of what’s coming up in the main body of the essay. This is called signposting. It will be more elaborate in longer essays, but in a short five-paragraph essay structure, it shouldn’t be more than one sentence.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

Some students prefer to write the introduction later in the process, and it’s not a bad idea. After all, you’ll have a clearer idea of the overall shape of your arguments once you’ve begun writing them!

If you do write the introduction first, you should still return to it later to make sure it lines up with what you ended up writing, and edit as necessary.

The body of your essay is everything between the introduction and conclusion. It contains your arguments and the textual evidence that supports them.

Paragraph structure

A typical structure for a high school literary analysis essay consists of five paragraphs : the three paragraphs of the body, plus the introduction and conclusion.

Each paragraph in the main body should focus on one topic. In the five-paragraph model, try to divide your argument into three main areas of analysis, all linked to your thesis. Don’t try to include everything you can think of to say about the text—only analysis that drives your argument.

In longer essays, the same principle applies on a broader scale. For example, you might have two or three sections in your main body, each with multiple paragraphs. Within these sections, you still want to begin new paragraphs at logical moments—a turn in the argument or the introduction of a new idea.

Robert’s first encounter with Gil-Martin suggests something of his sinister power. Robert feels “a sort of invisible power that drew me towards him.” He identifies the moment of their meeting as “the beginning of a series of adventures which has puzzled myself, and will puzzle the world when I am no more in it” (p. 89). Gil-Martin’s “invisible power” seems to be at work even at this distance from the moment described; before continuing the story, Robert feels compelled to anticipate at length what readers will make of his narrative after his approaching death. With this interjection, Hogg emphasizes the fatal influence Gil-Martin exercises from his first appearance.

Topic sentences

To keep your points focused, it’s important to use a topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph.

A good topic sentence allows a reader to see at a glance what the paragraph is about. It can introduce a new line of argument and connect or contrast it with the previous paragraph. Transition words like “however” or “moreover” are useful for creating smooth transitions:

… The story’s focus, therefore, is not upon the divine revelation that may be waiting beyond the door, but upon the mundane process of aging undergone by the man as he waits.

Nevertheless, the “radiance” that appears to stream from the door is typically treated as religious symbolism.

This topic sentence signals that the paragraph will address the question of religious symbolism, while the linking word “nevertheless” points out a contrast with the previous paragraph’s conclusion.

Using textual evidence

A key part of literary analysis is backing up your arguments with relevant evidence from the text. This involves introducing quotes from the text and explaining their significance to your point.

It’s important to contextualize quotes and explain why you’re using them; they should be properly introduced and analyzed, not treated as self-explanatory:

It isn’t always necessary to use a quote. Quoting is useful when you’re discussing the author’s language, but sometimes you’ll have to refer to plot points or structural elements that can’t be captured in a short quote.

In these cases, it’s more appropriate to paraphrase or summarize parts of the text—that is, to describe the relevant part in your own words:

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

The conclusion of your analysis shouldn’t introduce any new quotations or arguments. Instead, it’s about wrapping up the essay. Here, you summarize your key points and try to emphasize their significance to the reader.

A good way to approach this is to briefly summarize your key arguments, and then stress the conclusion they’ve led you to, highlighting the new perspective your thesis provides on the text as a whole:

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

  • Ad hominem fallacy
  • Post hoc fallacy
  • Appeal to authority fallacy
  • False cause fallacy
  • Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

  • Choosing Essay Topic
  • Write a College Essay
  • Write a Diversity Essay
  • College Essay Format & Structure
  • Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

  • Grammar Checker
  • Paraphrasing Tool
  • Text Summarizer
  • AI Detector
  • Plagiarism Checker
  • Citation Generator

By tracing the depiction of Frankenstein through the novel’s three volumes, I have demonstrated how the narrative structure shifts our perception of the character. While the Frankenstein of the first volume is depicted as having innocent intentions, the second and third volumes—first in the creature’s accusatory voice, and then in his own voice—increasingly undermine him, causing him to appear alternately ridiculous and vindictive. Far from the one-dimensional villain he is often taken to be, the character of Frankenstein is compelling because of the dynamic narrative frame in which he is placed. In this frame, Frankenstein’s narrative self-presentation responds to the images of him we see from others’ perspectives. This conclusion sheds new light on the novel, foregrounding Shelley’s unique layering of narrative perspectives and its importance for the depiction of character.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, August 14). How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay | A Step-by-Step Guide. Scribbr. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/literary-analysis/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write a thesis statement | 4 steps & examples, academic paragraph structure | step-by-step guide & examples, how to write a narrative essay | example & tips, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

  • We're Hiring!
  • Help Center

paper cover thumbnail

Reflection on Literature as a Mirror and a Didactic Mode to Society: A Mini-review of Multi-genres

Profile image of Gabriel Bazimaziki

This essay is concerned with genres of Literature and their relevance to society. The author carries out a mini review of various literary works showing how many authors or critics have stake in human life at socio-cultural, economic and political levels. The author uses mainly interpretive literary analysis with particular emphasis on some literary generic elements viz characters and themes affecting them in each genre. Going through a section of authors from both African and Western cultures, the author brings the reader to understand how Literature and society are intertwined as they need each other.

Related Papers

IOSR Journals

Like sociology, Literature is concerned with man"s social world, his adaptation to it and his desire to improve it. Literature is a social institution, which uses Language as its medium. Literature represents life and to a large extent, a social reality. An ideal literature therefore reflects the happenings in its society. It reflects the economy, politics, religion and culture of its society. It consequently mirrors the diverse mood and tempers of its society. Specifically, African Literature is a vital tool in the hands of African literary artists, used to criticize the social, economic and political situations in their African society with the aim of challenging and proffering solutions to the unpleasant and oppressive practices by its leaders and the led. This particular inquiry examines how Otagburuagu"s "Echoes of violence" and Osorfisan"s "Colours Makes the Thunder King" have revealed the political situations in Nigeria. This exploration is anchored on the sociological theory of literature. This theory studies the correlation between Literature and society as the different norms of behavior in different societies and they are reflected in their respective literature; descriptive data analysis technique, primary and secondary data collection methods. This study reveals that African literary writers have taken the position of judges, Umpires, national reformers, civil right activists and cultural revivalists all for the emancipation of Africa and Africans.

essay on literature is the reflection of society wikipedia

rejoice dalut

Edwin C. Onwuka

The significant impact of literature and history on society cannot be overemphasized. The relationship among them has continued to attract critical attention since Plato. That affinity has been explored so much by African writers that it has assumed the status of a literary ideology peculiar to Africa. Though the debate on it is no longer as strident as it had been in the latter part of the last century, the socio-political conditions that engendered the corpus of African works suffused with historical and societal issues are still firmly entrenched in the continent. In spite of this, many new writers, perhaps too sensitive to some Western critics who condemn African literature as sociological studies bereft of artistic qualities, have begun to dwell on issues of little relevance to the immediate socio-political and cultural needs of the continent. In reappraising the views of some prominent literary scholars on the symbiotic relationship between literature and society, this paper reiterates that for literature to remain a veritable tool and agent of social change, it must continue to reflect the conflicts and crises thrown up by the society. By highlighting these views, it attempts to refocus the attention of contemporary writers, their readers and critics on the uncompleted task of arresting an African continent fast sinking in the rot of corruption, oppression and other social ills. One way to achieve this is through the production of a vibrant literature that not only identifies the source of the problems but also sensitizes its consumers to change the course of social development positively.

Journal of Arts and Humanities

Adeyemi Ogundokun

Journal of Studies in Social Sciences

Faction is not as a result of poverty of imagination or good thinking; rather it is a trend, which provides remedies for the new desire to learn and be entertained at the same time in this fast-changing world. This paper is another attempt to join voice to the debate on the fact that literature has a significant role to play in the reconstruction of human society for a better living. An activist who writes literature and seeks the establishment of a new way of life adopts a method which consists of social criticism; designed to expose the misery caused by the existing laws and institutions as well as construction, which in other words is the disclosure of a new and friendlier system. As a perfect glass partakes in the color of the light it transmits, so is the transparent medium of literature which shares the beauty of its content. Literature provides social stimulation plus curiosity about life. Its psychological potency is the connection it enjoys with life generally. It eventuall...

Journal for Foreign Languages

Literature is an open concept and a creative art which expresses human history, experiences, imagination, observations, predictions and suggestions at a particular time in a given society. Either as fiction or non-fiction, literature can be rendered in both spoken and written words. It is often argued whether literature is for itself or the development of the society that produces it. This study, therefore, interrogates how the selected Francophone African novels, namely Sembène Ousmane’s Les bouts de bois de Dieu, Mariama Bâ’s Une si longue lettre, Ferdinand Oyono’s Le vieux nègre et la médaille, Aminata Sow Fall’s La grève des bàttu, Patrick Ilboudo’s Les vertiges du trône and Fatou Keïta’s Rebelle, depict the function of literature. The novelists are selected because of their inclination towards the social transformation paradigm. The purpose of this paper is to raise people’s awareness and mobilize them towards positive change. Based on close reading, the paper is built around M...

Roshni Duhan

That literature is a reflection of the society is a fact that has been widely acknowledged. Literature indeed reflects the society, its good values and its ills. In its corrective function, literature mirrors the ills of the society with a view to making the society realize its mistakes and make amends. It also projects the virtues or good values in the society for people to emulate. Literature, as an imitation of human action, often presents a picture of what people think, say and do in the society. In literature, we find stories designed to portray human life and action through some characters who, by their words, action and reaction, convey certain messages for the purpose of education, information and entertainment. It is impossible to find a work of literature that excludes the attitudes, morale and values of the society, since no writer has been brought up completely unexposed to the world around him. What writers of literature do is to transport the real-life events in their ...

index comunicación revista de comunicación aplicada , Plataforma Revistas Comunicación

Abstract: This essay will link African women’s writing to culture, including literary culture and the politics of literature. It describes how African women’s literature can act as a mirror, reflecting African cultures to Africans, and how it can serve as a window and a door, revealing African cultures to those outside of them in whole or in part. It ends with a description of “communal agency,” an example of how scholarly writing can act as a door for both those who are and are not a part of a literature’s culture. Resumen: Este ensayo vincula las obras de autoras africanas con la cultura, tomando en cuenta la cultura literaria y las políticas de la literatura. Describe cómo la literatura de mujeres africanas puede actuar como espejo que refleja a los africanos la diversidad de su cultura, y cómo puede servir de ventana y puerta: qué desvelan las culturas africanas, parcial o totalmente, ante los que viven fuera de estas. Termina con una descripción de “agencia comunitaria”, un ejemplo de cómo los textos académicos pueden funcionar como puerta tanto para los que forman parte de la cultura literaria como para los que no son parte de ella.

Lovelyn Supilanas

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

RELATED PAPERS

African Studies Review

Tanure Ojaide

Sara Hauptman

Amechi Akwanya

Anton Pokrivčák

Abdullah Gharbavi

The Impact of Literature on Society:

WhatsApp +13158649530 vick

International Journal of Culture and History

Albrecht Classen

International journal of english, literature and social science

Peer Salim jahangeer

Andrew Barnett

Namory Fall Koulibaly

Namory Fall

Emelia Samanhyia

ARIEL: A Review of International English Literature

Afam Ebeogu

ifedayo oshin

The Import of Literary Criticism

Cultural Sociology

Moses O L U D E L E Idowu

Didier COSTE , Ellen Rooney , Susan Z Andrade , Maryam W Khan

Amatoritsero Ede

International Journal of Linguistics and Computational Applications

Ajumeze Henry

THE BODIES OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCE IN LITERATURE (Atena Editora)

Atena Editora

noel ortega

RELATED TOPICS

  •   We're Hiring!
  •   Help Center
  • Find new research papers in:
  • Health Sciences
  • Earth Sciences
  • Cognitive Science
  • Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Academia ©2024

IMAGES

  1. 📌 Essay Example on Fear & Loathing: Reflection of Society in Dramatic

    essay on literature is the reflection of society wikipedia

  2. 📗 African & African American Art: A Reflection of Society

    essay on literature is the reflection of society wikipedia

  3. 50 Best Reflective Essay Examples (+Topic Samples) ᐅ TemplateLab

    essay on literature is the reflection of society wikipedia

  4. Reflection of Society in Literature

    essay on literature is the reflection of society wikipedia

  5. 🏷️ Literature is a mirror of life essay. How can literature be the

    essay on literature is the reflection of society wikipedia

  6. Literature Review and critical reflection on Wikileaks W12

    essay on literature is the reflection of society wikipedia

COMMENTS

  1. Literature

    Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially novels, plays, and poems. [1] It includes both print and digital writing. [2] In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include oral literature, much of which has been transcribed. [3] [4] Literature is a method of recording, preserving ...

  2. The Incredible Impact Of Literature On Society

    This critical literary introduction seeks to explore the multifaceted impact of literature on society, digging into its ability to provoke introspection, challenge ...

  3. (PDF) Literature and Society

    Bacon‟s essay s, first written in Latin and t hen re-written in English, exemp lify this observatio n. ... Literature is a reflection of the society is a fact that has been widely acknowledged.

  4. Literature and Society: F R Leavis Summary and Analysis

    Literature and Society is an essay by F.R.Leavis. During the Matrixing decade, Leavis was once invited to 'Union of the London School of Economics and Politics' where he addressed students on discourse on Literature and Society. ... and the duty of the literary historian to explain literary history as the reflection of changing economic and ...

  5. Literature as a Mirror: Reflecting Society, Culture, and the Human

    Literature serves as a reflection of society, holding up a mirror to its values, norms, and social structures. Whether it is through classic literature like Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," which portrays the rigid social hierarchy of 19th-century England, or contemporary works like George Orwell's "1984," which warns of the ...

  6. 1.1: What is Literature?

    Literature is art, but with words. While the artist uses different colors, paintbrushes, mediums, canvases, and techniques, the writer uses different genres and literary techniques called literary devices. Just like different types of paint, paintbrushes, and artistic tools, there are literally hundreds of literary devices, but some of the most ...

  7. English Literature's Reflection of 17th Century Society

    17th Century English Literature. The 17 th century marked a shift from an age of faith to an age of reason. Literature represents the turbulence in society, religion, and the monarchy of this period. Life for the English people changed as religious controversy and civil war shook the nation. These issues reformulated the roles of individuals in ...

  8. Literature and Society

    LITERATURE AND SOCIETYInterest in the relationship between literature and society is hardly a new phenomenon. We still read and refer to the ancient Greeks in this regard. In The Republic, for example, Plato presages both Mme. de Staël's treatise of 1800, which was the first to discuss cross-national differences in literature, and later notions of literary reflection with his idea of imitation.

  9. Milton C. Albrecht

    In most theories of the relationship of literature and society reflection, influence, and social control are implied. Literature is interpreted as reflecting norms and values, as revealing the ethos of culture, the proc-. esses of class struggle, and certain types of social "facts." "Influence" is not strictly the reverse of reflection,

  10. PDF Literature in Society

    literature a mere reflection/expression of society, a field and a tool of political manipulations, a playground to exercise ideological and social power? The problematic relationship between literature and society has always been the focus of literary scholarship. Admitting that literature both

  11. The Relationship of Literature and Society

    Abstract. In most theories of the relationship of literature and society reflection, influence, and social control are implied. Literature is interpreted as reflecting norms and values, as revealing the ethos of culture, the processes of class struggle, and certain types of social "facts." "Influence" is not strickly the reverse of reflection ...

  12. (PDF) Literature and Society: A Critical Analysis of Literary Text

    [email protected]. Abstract. Literature is mirror to society and reflects the reality of the society. The true meaning of literature is. the written works in different forms, such as, novels ...

  13. Literature Is A Reflection Of Society

    991 Words4 Pages. Literature is the reflection of society, is a fact that has been widely acknowledged. Literature reflects the attitude and perception of the society - its virtues and vices. Literature mirrors the vices of the society with a view to make the society realize its mistakes and make amends. Literature portrays human life and ...

  14. How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay

    Table of contents. Step 1: Reading the text and identifying literary devices. Step 2: Coming up with a thesis. Step 3: Writing a title and introduction. Step 4: Writing the body of the essay. Step 5: Writing a conclusion. Other interesting articles.

  15. PDF Literature As a Reflection of The Society-astudy

    Literature is an imitation of human life and action; it is a reflection of the human society. Literature not only reflects the society but serves as a mirror in which members of the society can look at themselves and see the need for positive change. References 1. Adams, Hazard. Critical Theory Since Plato. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York ...

  16. Literary criticism

    A genre of arts criticism, literary criticism or literary studies is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often influenced by literary theory, which is the philosophical analysis of literature's goals and methods. Although the two activities are closely related, literary critics are not always ...

  17. Essay

    Essays of Michel de Montaigne. An essay is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument, but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a letter, a paper, an article, a pamphlet, and a short story.Essays have been sub-classified as formal and informal: formal essays are characterized by "serious purpose, dignity, logical organization, length," whereas the ...

  18. Literature and Society

    Literature and Society. ciety; second, literary critical analysis literature can as a historian or philosopher or be applied to certain social phenomena social scientist. One is arguing that litera-. erature (for example, the popular and arts, distinctive mass knowledge about society. communications) so as to illuminate It would their be ...

  19. PDF Literature and Society

    Ultimately, literature has provided a gateway to teach the reader about life experiences from even the saddest stories to the most joyful ones that will touch their hearts. 3. The Role of Literature for Individuals and Society. Literature has two roles, an active, engaging role and a passive, reflective role.

  20. An Objective Approach to the Relationship Between Fiction and Society

    Succinctly, the reflection theory holds that literature reflects society; the control theory, that it shapes society. In "Literary Indices of Social Disorganization," Elliott and Merrill as-sume the characteristic reflection-theory position by examining post-War literature in order to "read the social barometer."3 Anthropologists and

  21. Reflection on Literature as a Mirror and a Didactic Mode to Society: A

    Author has declared that no competing interests exist. REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION This essay is a reflection of Literature not only as a mirror to society but also as a didactic material to human beings in the world they live. The discussion bases on genres of Literature and their relevance to society.

  22. Reflective writing

    Reflective writing helps students to develop a better understanding of their goals. Reflective writing is regularly used in academic settings, as it helps students think about how they think and allows students to think beyond the scope of the literal meaning of their writing or thinking. [ 8] In other words, it is a form of metacognition.

  23. PDF Reflection Theory of Literary Art

    of the social, the other from that of the notion of literature. Reading through the preceding essays, we find literature being construed variously-as a kind of social action, as an effect or reflection of social action, as a kind of ideal model of the most desirable kind of social action, and as a veritable antithesis to or mode of transcendence