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Effects of literature on society
Effects of literature on society
American literature and society
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Each and every society and culture in the world, past and present, has been influenced by literature as it has helped shape the human society for a very long time. Literature is not just a piece of writing with sophisticated, intellect and harmonious words, but a lifestyle and a way to express and share one’s knowledge, emotions, opinions and justifications. Literature has a harmonious relationship with a person which is connected by a person’s morality, behavior, attitude and lifestyle, and helps flourish spirituality and purity of the heart. This relationship has been crucial in shaping the human society. With the passage of knowledge through members of the society, literature helps set moral values to the people and differentiate between …show more content…
The American society has now been there for almost four hundred years, and in contrast to the contemporary American society, there has been many changes. The attitudes of the general public has surely changed over time, but the fundamental qualities and the moral values of the American people has been the same for centuries. The foundation of the American society can be credited to Benjamin Franklin, one of the most brilliant American figures. He was an exemplar of the Enlightenment era and played a vital role in shaping America’s society. In spite of being a polymath, excelling in fields like science and politics, Franklin was also an excellent writer. “Franklin’s works embody not only key concerns of the Enlightenment but also of American literature.” (Madden 840). Franklin’s contribution to literature has inspired people to be a better human being. He aimed to clear the society from oppressing behaviors, and help motivate people to make a better person out of oneself. He opposed the Puritan ideology of glorifying God in everything, but supported the self examination
"Human felicity," he wrote, "is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day." Franklin typifies that aspect of the American character that is attentive to small details as well as over-all great plans. The practical idealism of America lies in our capacity to work for our ideals step by step, to recognize that the perfect world is never achieved but that we may approach it gradually by a creative attentiveness to each aspect of life around us.
Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau have been thought of as two powerful philosophers in history. Both men were alive centuries ago, but their unique ways of life and ideas still exist in some of history’s most admirable figures. Each man had a judgment that went beyond the era they existed in, but is still obvious in today’s culture. Even though both men are credited for their wise principles, their beliefs do not always coincide with one another. However, one thing they do have in common is that they both revolutionized America through their thoughts, actions, and distinctive opinions on how to improve the world around them.
In “Why Literature Matters” the author, Dana Gioia, argues that literature is very important in today’s society. He talks about the decline of reading over the years and the effects it has on different companies and communities. Gioia uses many persuasive techniques, such as evidence, jingoism, and diction, to try and persuade the reader that literature is important.
Benjamin Franklin and Nathaniel Hawthorne were both very important to America’s early literature. Franklin’s “Autobiography” and Hawthorne’s “My Kinsman, Major Molineux” represents the extremes of leaving home. Franklin makes accomplishing the American dream of the self-made man look easy. Hawthorne, however, revises and critiques that dream, showing the harsh realities of the real world. Franklin reveals his life story as a way to show the people of America that determination, hard work, and intelligence lead to success, while Hawthorne describes the harsh world waiting once youth and innocence are gone.
...learly seen in the three monumental pieces of writing addressed in this essay, yet they are just a small glimpse into the way it affected both America and the world. This Age brought about arguably the most important revolution in modern history, as well as an inquisitiveness and critical thinking ability that was almost wiped out by the strict nature of the Puritans. Without this Age—though it most certainly had its flaws—the world would be a radically different place.
True heroes are noted as those who act with altruistic intentions for the sake of others. Unselfish attempts to improve not just one’s self, but also his society, is impeccably portrayed in the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Initially proposed for his son, William, Benjamin Franklin reminisces his past struggles and accomplishments in influencing this country. With hopes to educate not only his son but the people of America. Benjamin Franklin recalls his wrongdoings and advises other potential citizens of self-improvement, epitomizing his own life from owning a successful newspaper company to being established in the House. Benjamin Franklin is America’s true hero as he provided opportunities of education, virtue, and improvements for American life.
How does American literature shape American culture? America, a baby nation compared to many other countries, has shaped itself into one of the most politically and technically advanced places in the world. The definition of American Literature is any literary work written in, or about The United States. The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter, The Narrative of the Life of Fredric Douglass and various other works of literature are all pieces of American literature that have helped shape American society.
In the late eighteenth century, America emerged as a new and independent nation with a new form of government that differed from any other around the world. Our framers, Madison, Jefferson, Adams, and more, created our Constitution and Bill of Rights that would prevent America from becoming a monarchy like Britain. In our Constitution there are seven basic principles that ensured that power would not go to one person or group, creating a Democratic Republic. This new notion began a period of growth and development. America began to develop a distinct and unique culture that was influenced by the Revolution. Common people began to have new ideas, traditions, principles, and opinions. Up until this point there were no famous painters, architects, or writers from America, but in 1785 paintings of historical scenes based on the American Revolution were published. The genre of literature grew to include political standpoints and more. America’s population diversified, including different religions and ethnicities, coming to experience the new country
In the three chosen works of literature, Ordinary people by Judith Guest, Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley and Antigone by Sophocles, alienation, initiation, journey, suffering and reconciliation are among the themes covered by the these great works of literature. The writers through the various characters in the scripts have clearly brought out the five themes as the main themes. These works of literature act as a reflection of what was happening in the society then. In terms of literature not much has changed and would still expect the same to be happening in the society today. As acknowledged, literature indeed reflects the society, its ill values and good values. In mirroring of the ills of the society, the view is to make the society realize its mistakes and make amends. The good values are set out for others to emulate. As an imitation of human actions, literature presents an image of what people do, think and do in the society.
American success history recognizes the contributions made by two of its renowned leaders. The two are regarded as heroes despite the obvious differences between them abound. The two figures are regarded with comparable amounts of reverence even though they lived their lives in different ways. Nevertheless, both Benjamin Franklin and Fredrick Douglas gained their status through treading pathway of hard work. This paper, therefore, seeks to discuss the experiences that shaped the lives of both Franklin and Douglas. It also seeks to analyze the life of Fredrick Douglas as presented by John Stauffer. In comparing the two personalities, I will lay much emphasis on the role education played in making better the lives of Franklin and Douglas. In this regard, it is worth noting that although their education was not that formal, it shaped their lives immensely. Franklin education, for instance, came while working under his brother James as an apprentice printer during his teen years. On the other hand, Douglas’s tale is much bleaker, but it depicts the use of wits coupled with natural talent to pull oneself to a respectable stature (Zafar 43). It is clear that Franklin persuasive rhetorical skills, which came in handy, in writing and oratory skills were natured by induction to printing apprenticeship as well as a great access to a variety of books. Critiques in later years would argue his love for books and learning made Franklin become an accomplished speaker, thinker, author, and a statement. In a nutshell, access to books and love for learning shaped Franklin’s Character to a great extent.
Throughout history and in current times, Benjamin Franklin has been greatly revered and admired by a large majority of American citizens. In the attempt to achieve prosperity, a multitude of people have strived to emulate Franklin’s lifestyle. Accordingly, this emulation was the source of Mark Twain’s disdain toward Benjamin Franklin, which Twain expresses in his satire, “The Late Benjamin Franklin.” Correspondingly, in “The Late Benjamin Franklin,” Mark Twain displays hostility toward Benjamin Franklin through the utilization of a derisive and mocking tone as well as the elements of satire. The ridicule and degradation of Franklin that is displayed in Twain’s satire highlights Twain’s belief that Franklin’s accomplishments are exaggerated upon, placing unrealistic expectations on all males, including Twain.
Literature plays an important role as a part of the cultural heritage. Thus, literature is the soul of our civilization, the center of our religion, and the machine we can travel back in the time of our old civilizations. In addition, literary works are able to take the readers beyond the limited experiences of readers’ lives. They show the lives of others. The literary works covey the social, political, and cultural backgrounds of the time when the stories or novels were written. The author of the book, “The Death of the Author,” Roland Barthes expresses that authors are always the agents of their times. According to the statement conducted by Roland, to get the fully understanding of the text, he recommends
Have you ever wondered why literature has become what it is today? Why people started to write literature in the first place, and why readers where so motivated about books? Philosophy, the word itself is not as complex as its meaning, but so is literature. Philosophy is a study that seeks answers to enduring questions about existence and reality. The aim of this curiosity for more is the sole purpose to discover the nature of truth and knowledge, finding what is life and its meaning. Philosophy not only examines nature and life, but also humanity as an individual and humanity as a society. These examinations intrigues not only the writers, but also the audience as well, for the reason that philosophy arises from pure wonder, curiosity, and the desire to know and understand, which is what people look for in literature. Philosophers who marked philosophy as it is are, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These three great philosophers had their own individual judgment, but they all had a common objective, to expand their knowledge and views through the use of literature. As philosophy grew among society and extended throughout the world, people were developing logical reasoning, which became important and influential throughout nations such as Greece and India. Philosophers such as John Locke and Voltaire were the two leading figures in the Enlightenment to provide philosophical literature. Ancient philosophers and enlightenment philosophers both provided the readers a subjective view, using as examples matters such as logic and ethics, but with many more aspects of philosophy also presented by these men of thought. Throughout the years, the inclusion of philosophy has changed literature itself with the rise of curiosity and reasoning,...
Literature has many purposes, and opens doors to unique worlds. Through Literature, we discover ourselves and world time and again.
Literature has had a major impact on society, and, also our history. Literature has reformed and shaped civilizations, changed political systems, and has exposed injustices (3). Our literature has changed and developed as we have, keeping up with our society. “...literature is crucial for the advancement of society (3).” With literary works, we can convince others to view things a certain way, share our opinions, and more. Literature is greatly intertwined with our society and everyday lives, and they would not be the same without it. Literature plays an irreplaceable role in our