Literature is most commonly used to refer to pieces of written work. The word literature encompasses a variety of different definitions. For example, many tend to identify it as an art form. Moreover, it could be further classified according to the country of origin or the author himself. Identifying artistic merit becomes quite tricky, as there is no consensus about what literature includes. Regardless, some items are characterized as part of literature across the world. That includes prose fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama.
Regardless of the specific definitions, literature has both a positive and negative impact on society. At some point, vistas of imagination are exposed due to literature. On the other hand, literature often has the power to tell individuals about items they would not otherwise be aware of. So, how does literature affect society overall?
Sparking Creative Criticism
Not every piece of literature will be embraced with positivity. Instead, the ultimate elements existing are always the ones that have controversy surrounding them. Literature, when utilized efficiently, is a tool that forces people to pay attention and question their existing beliefs. Reading Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God summary allows one to understand the “First Great Awakening” of the 1730s. This piece of writing revolves around a sermon preached by Jonathon Edwards, which back then instilled fear, doubt, and anger in many.
Regardless of whether the people attending believed in God, it pushed many to criticize the speech. Hence, it allowed people to question their existing beliefs. For instance, many strived to repent for their sins out of fear. Others were angry, expressing their disbelief by objecting to the words uttered. Either way, it’s proof that popular literary devices allow individuals to analyze, criticize, and question new opinions.
Literature Helps Resolve Societies’ Conflicts
It’s a standard agreement that society is quite a complex dynamic. Regardless of the culture or society, each has its own issues. However, such problems cannot be solved without some additional elements, including literature and language. Through literature, masterpieces that discuss social issues that persist and ones that have been previously resolved allow fundamental problems to surface. This then drives people to address what is currently prevalent in society. All this is motivated by an author’s personal thoughts and individual viewpoint.
However, the literary work in itself won’t work on resolving any issues. Instead, society’s reaction to the piece is what has the potential to spark change. In other words, if the book’s plot resonates with people, it will motivate them to take action and is a means to spark conversation between people.
Literature Forms Our Morals, Values, & Taboos
Literature across the century differs extensively. For example, around the 18th century, most literary pieces emphasized sentiments and emotions. The works published during that period revolved around sensitive topics regarding the world and realities. Hence, it had the power to impact how one reacts to various situations occurring at that time. This is all driven by imagination and the passion of curiosity. One’s vision has the power to shape their morals, values, and what one regards as taboo.
For instance, if you feel you have strong opinions about a specific topic, reading a literature piece about it from a different viewpoint allows you to expand your perspective. It triggers thought processes and will enable you to comprehend an issue from someone else’s viewpoint. Hence, it allows an individual to experience someone else’s life through the power of writing. This, over time, has the potential to impact and alter your values and morals.
Understanding One’s History
Living history through stories and pieces of writing is such a unique experience. Without literature, we might not have been able to understand the means people lived through fully. We know for a fact that our society has evolved by milestones as compared to 200 years ago. The records, writings, and poems allow individuals to immerse themselves into what they once were. For example, Egyptian hieroglyphics and paintings are an insight into the beliefs, traditions, and culture people lived through. On the other hand, Greek and Roman cultures have left behind literature that directly explains how their world was formed.
Conclusion
While we often neglect to consider where the origin of our beliefs comes from, they almost always stem from literary works. We learn how civilizations lived before us all stem from pieces we have read. However, within our modern society, such elements are slowly being lost amid current media.
Regardless, authors utilize literature and the power of their words to leave an impact on people. Moreover, it’s a method of documenting the current events of culture, society, or civilization. Hence, one can always learn morals and lessons from pieces of work.
