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Do you think that it is literature's responsibility to reform and improve society? How can that be possible?

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Question added by Dina Khatib , Brand and Communications Manager , Bayt.com
Date Posted: 2016/08/04
Rogelio Balolot
by Rogelio Balolot , Chef , La Cuisine French Restaurant

Yes it is literature resposible for change or reform and improve society. It is an effective tool to communicate the reality both problem, plans, and common issues that arise in midst of the society. By novel, books, movie, stage show, debate, and media etc., it can bring out the whole situation of the society and that will encourage , convince the listener or the audience to react either nigative or positive as effect . And so the effect will be crucial and inculcate in the mind of society that can leads to revolution if the issue is unjust or unlawful and deathremental to common people and then the wish for reform and change of society is possible.

Ahmad Saleh
by Ahmad Saleh , Part-time English Teacher , ITA

In addition to educating, informing, and entertaining, I do agree that literature can shoulder the responsibility of reforming and improving societies. But this can only happen  when truly dedicated, loyal writers and poets are involved; when patriotic and zealous scholars are able to expose and face corruption bravely; when intellectuals address their country's issues objectively and devote their pens to altruism. Only then can we call literature a reform tool.

Thanks for invitation....I agree with experts answers.

Robert Rosenthal
by Robert Rosenthal , English and history teacher , LFI - AFLEC

It's possible, sure.  Sometimes it happens when a popular novel features an appealing, honorable character whom people want to be like, such as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.  It also happens when a popular novel features unpleasant characters and/or negative situations and people want to avoid those situations.  Probably the best example is The Jungle, which in the US led directly to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration.

 

But is it literature's responsibility to do this?  I don't think so.  Many stories simply reflect the times that they are in, or tell stories that aren't intended to connect to society as a whole.  More importantly, authors who set out to write Great Important Books That Teach Lessons often fail to create compelling stories that people want to read.  

Fiona Rustom Jagose
by Fiona Rustom Jagose , teacher trainee , Wellington College

In societies where English literature is 'canned' and condensed at best, then no it can not possibly be its respnsibility to reform and improve society. 

Due in part to the rampant age of misquoting and texting, many outtanding authors have been casually (then supposedly academically) misrepresented. Worse still one can see absolute butchering of classic texts thanks to ministries. 

In my mind, it would be better to outright ban texts than to allow  such nonsensical butchering.  

In terms of non-English literature, from the Middle East in paticular, unfortunatey it is more likely that the audience, publications and ensuing discussions are abroad. 

Iffat  Ali
by Iffat Ali , receptionist , Warid Telecom Company

yes .i agree to experts answers.

Abdelrahman elghobashy
by Abdelrahman elghobashy , excutive assistant manager , Home of life co

Yes.True literature represents people's interests, problems and can be reforming effectivly if conveyed in a simple understandable manner.

ahmad salman
by ahmad salman , Trainee , Oil and Gas development company

For me the reforms and the change in the society truly depends upon the naive practicalities and the efficacious grooming throughout...Altough the part that literature can play is to make everyone aware of the righteous destinations but how to reach that destinations totally depends on the wise and the well groomed participant of the society that can lead in more professional and practical way. 

مها شرف
by مها شرف , معلمة لغة عربية , وزارة التربية السورية

I agree with experts answer. Thanks for the invitation. 

Mohammed Khizer Mohsin
by Mohammed Khizer Mohsin , Director Sales and Operations , So-Rite Solar and Green Energy Solutions

"Life follows Art" is a comment we read sometimes in some news clips when some event happens as written down a fiction.

But "Art follows life" too, because a thinke writes down a literary work based on his experience and sometimes imagination based again on summer experience. 

In this ever changing societal dynamics, humanity keeps on refining anredefining itself often hitching on to the the thoughts of those gifted with literary talent.

Chances are that literature comes in as a major contributor to the constant betterment of mankind. 

Jineesh Vavukkal
by Jineesh Vavukkal , IT MANAGER , POORAM FINSERV P LTD

In my point of view that any literatures can not do anything in our society, while they do not understand the importance of  literatures. We know the real stories of our old scholars proven their marking point in history. They doesn't have any literatures or good educational background, Let me ask you some thing, then how they would familiar in our histories.?. The answer is very simple they having own creative thinking, management skills and inventional powers etc., its coming only from the self assessments study.  I believe that any literature can not develop the right things or good humans.

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