Throughout the ages, literature has evolved, with numerous patterns and narrative techniques. It has helped us uncover bits of history that would have otherwise been lost while giving insights into other cultures.
The first ever way of sharing a literary work was through oral lore, and this included myths and folklore. Storytelling came to be when humans started to apply causal reasoning in their stories. Later on, epic poetry was considered to be the pinnacle of ancient literature. The medieval era sought a great rise in religious writings all over the world. It was only during the early modern era that novels started to appear. During and after the 18th century, literature evolved greatly because of The Age of Enlightenment and Fin de Siècle. Contemporary literature has developed popular genres, such as science fiction and fantasy.
Its role was simple: entertain and educate (about early social norms and dangers). Hagiographies then were written to store important information about the lives of ecclesiastical leaders or institutional and local history. They portrayed idealised biographies, which is why the term “hagiography” is used as a pejorative nowadays.
As societies evolved, so did literature. It has been used as a tool to portray a reflection of society, but in a primitive sense (for example, hunter-gatherer bands). However, its evolution was followed by more complex depictions of values, systems, class structures, and political structures. Whether it is Dante's portrayal of punishments or Jane Austen's portrayal of 19th-century British aristocracy, readers gain an understanding of the customs that were accepted and disapproved of in each author's day.
As the influence and respect of writers grew, so did their courage in writing. They started questioning authorities through their works and inspired change. One example is Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird”, which sparked an interest in racial prejudice. Some writers, such as George Orwell, highlighted the dangers of totalitarianism, but not at the cost of getting banned from both the US and the Soviet Union. Readers are motivated to show scepticism in everyday situations and think for themselves. Such behaviours are also encouraged by speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror).
The link between literature and preserved collective memory can also be found in more recent writings. These are experiences that are evocative of a certain group identity, where readers are prone to show empathy towards the characters. Such essential works convey the horrors that slavery (Frederick Douglass, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?") and genocide (Anne Frank’s Diary) these groups went through.
All in all, literature is an ever evolving way to express artistically, being strongly linked to societal norms and changes. Who knows what people will write about in 100 years?
Sources:
https://www.euroschoolindia.com/blogs/the-role-of-literature-in-shaping-societal-values/
“Literature in Society”, Cambridge Scholars Publishing 2012
Comments