Literature has always been the way of human expression, offering authors a base to share views, challenge social constructs, and initialize change. Throughout history, it can be seen that authors have used literature as a weapon to confront injustice, spark thoughts, and build empathy among commoners. This blog is a way to explore the significance of literature in social change.
1. Reflecting Reality:
Literature has served as a mirror of the society we live in, allowing us to see the world from a third-person perspective and see the complexities and challenges of life. By inculcating stories of struggle, sacrifice, and injustice, authors often humanize marginalized communities and bring awareness about the ignored parts of society to the masses.
For example, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” exposed the atrocities of slavery, fuelling the abolitionist movement in the US.
2. Challenging Oppression:
Literature has consistently challenged the oppression of people by encouraging the readers to question the oppression and strive for revolution and reforms, whether by questioning authorities or people in power. It inspires critical thinking, allowing readers to understand and stand against an oppressive regime.
Works like Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” can be taken as an instance that questioned social constructs like patriarchy.
3. Empowering the Marginalized:
Literature has served as a medium for marginalized people to express their stories, share their struggles, and amplify the struggles of underrepresented communities throughout the world. This has allowed people from around the world to understand and stand by the less privileged masses.
Authors like Salman Rushdie have brought to light the complexities in India post-colonialization.
4. Encouraging Empathy:
Reading literature has allowed people to acknowledge the struggles of other people by allowing them to know how the world is from other perspectives. This not only fosters empathy but also promotes compassion for other people in the world. It allows readers to have an experience of someone else’s life through stories and novels.
Stories like John Steinbeck’s “The Grape of Wrath” is a prominent example of such a piece of literature.
5. Initializing Mass Movements:
Literature gives great opportunities to start mass movements, encouraging social engagement and initiating reformations. Authors can address societal evils, allowing people to realize problems in society and promote change.
Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” is one such work that exposed the unpleasant and harsh conditions of the immigrant workers that later led to labor reform.
The role of literature in society is not just sharing stories but allowing different perspectives. And through the expansion of views, it allows individuals to contribute to society by being part of social change. Literature can be seen as a force of transformation for the world’s progress. It not only reflects the society but also provides ground for improvement. Literature can shape the ideas of their readers which encourages change, hence it is important to encourage such works to improve as a society.