literature essay sample

literature essay sample

Analyzing the Impact of Literature on Society

1. Introduction

It is said that literature is life. People in literature are professionalized by narrating the story of the community as well as the nation and the world. The people of all classes must live in literature for this reason. If one also thinks that the vast field of literature is a means to serve the reader, he is not far from the truth. In this study, let us analyze how everything depicted in literature would bring a change in the life of the readers. Though there have been many stories worthy of careful reading throughout time, it is impossible to ignore those written in different periods and cultures featuring such universal and strong stories. Researching these literary stories, readers can access the reflections and effects of changing values related to society. Changes in society come from several independent factors.

A literary work is a bed of knowledge and a pool of ideas. Analyzing the impact of literature on society can reveal a lot of information about the society and also the people living in it. It uses storytelling as a means to participate in the social life of a man. The immediate effect of such appointments is pleasant and pleasing. And the ultimate effect is that literature molds human character. Artistic intelligence is stimulated through reading. Various social problems are discussed in novels, plays, short stories which provoke thinking. The readers, after the stimulating exercise of delicate thinking, leave a serious impression on their minds. Gradually, a thought process is provoked within them. The reader becomes keener, more understanding, and interprets things from his point of view.

2. Literature’s Influence on Culture

Great educators, leaders and famous thinkers of different times reached their works because of their knowledge of literary creativity. Therefore, literature is an essential link in the upbringing of a person, formation of his worldview and upbringing. S. Yesenin plainly compared the house to a nursery, and in the nursery of the generation a book is a fairy tale. There are many incredibly talented poets in our capital who can cause the shout of emotions or slumber in direct feeling, by virtue of their imagination, ability to express certain things or sensations, to transmit them to the reader’s feelings of sympathy, empathy. These individuals do not consider the work of their poets as their civic duty. Nor do they leave the best literary works to future mankind.

Some writers’ works directly influence the cultural life of the public, and this effect is often inconspicuous. I.P. Pavlov, a well-known physiologist, pointed out that “for human society composed of men of reason humoralists, the spiritual stress form are instinctive forms of behavior based on imitation; since literary works, the press, the cinema fit into these forms, creating corresponding outward expressions, it is impossible to say that this behavior is not absolutely, so to speak, educable, or formative”. In other words, the direction of a person’s life, in many cases, is due to the fact that man consciously or unconsciously imitates something or someone.

3. Social Commentary in Literary Works

Such is the case in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies; although the novel is a work of fiction, the ideas contained within the pages are reality. Throughout the novel, the cruelty, sense of supremacy, arrogance, and lack of intelligence possessed by the boys are displayed. When a boy named Simon discovers that “the beast” the other boys are afraid of due to certain events is simply the remains of a lifeless body of a fighter pilot that has been mounted on a stick and killed during a war, the lord of the Flies says, “Fancy thinking the beast is something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?” Obviously, these boys are entirely capable of speaking logically; the frightened boys failed to perform proper critical thinking as they became obsessed with the idea of hunting and annihilating the beast.

One purpose literature can serve is social commentary. Social commentary, or the act of discussing society and its meaning and purpose, is of the utmost importance in the twenty-first century, as numerous problems and issues continue to arise in the world. Literature often reflects on the problems writing authors’ time and, as such, can reflect and discuss actions necessary to prevent such problems. Usually, social commentary in literary works will emphasize problems and consequences of certain actions humanity previously has taken; although the author never outright states such problems humanity must overcome, the social commentary will still be present. Because literary works can show to society the seriousness of such problems that still persist today, it is necessary for both society to send these messages and act in a manner that will ensure such problems will not have to be discussed in future literary works.

4. Literature as a Tool for Change

We have seen it uncover and criticize taboo subjects that one could not dare approach discussions; as is seen in works of literature such as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, George Orwell’s 1984, etc. We have bared its teeth in sharpening parts of the intellectual strength of the masses to resist manipulation and abuses and to open societies’ eyes to the revolt that is becoming increasingly widespread. For decades, we have had literature uncover the falsity of belief or dogmas and society’s submission to these regardless of how much they draw closer to increasingly abominable values. Literature has directly exposed the shrewd alterations to certain norms while at the same time inculcating in people the belief that truth and its promulgation will remain bound forever, to ensure a certain freedom that is not only built on the deceit of artificial paradises and the concealment of the past.

“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen,” a poignant quote from Martin Luther instantly comes to mind whenever anyone utters the word literature. This, in and of itself may testify to the powerful force literature has in influencing our world and what we make of it. For centuries, we have seen literature cover every aspect of society, folded neatly in billions of pages, viewed in billions of eyes. And if you are seeking for any change, any evolution, any revolution, rest assured that it is but a few turns of pages away.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, the impact of literature in society is very important. Literature is the destination of society. Thus, the output of society results in the creation of literature on earth. It is an invention of the human mind. And its development of mind and heart. The mind has to develop by the power of your soul and heart, not by your muscle power. So we can realize that literature can reform society and give positive thoughts on life. Because literature is a mirror of society. From the critical discourse, it is clear that literature has to play numerous roles in society. And we all know that, “The literature must take a moral stand and structure the society for the better purpose”.

Literature is the foundation of cultural studies of human intelligence. Literary discourse is a social phenomenon, connected with two people’s speech or written statement of the matter or event. The invention of literature is the family of words. Literature is a work which contains soul more than the flesh and blood. Literature is the seed which appears from them. Because literature will develop the mind correctly. When that mind gets power, it becomes the guide of the individual as well as of society. The most important thing is to sow the seed in the mind of the child through its mother tongue. Then it will develop by itself. Lastly, the aim of literature is the development of the individual and society.