The Powers of Literature…

I have been thinking quite a lot about literature lately. After having read Nussbaum’s article, I have developed a much better understanding of its importance, as well as the essentialness of reading and analyzing texts.

 

As Nussbaum claims, arts are vital in developing civic values. She states that the power  of written works, specifically, can expand an individual’s mind.

Although I sincerely agree with this idea of the formative aspects of a good read, I am uncomfortable with the thought of all novels and books influencing our worldview.

Because, can we truly compare the powerful statements made by George Orwell’s “1984” with the overtly-popular (and in my opinion sickening) narration of ‘books’ such as “Fifty Shades of Gray”? (I am sure Orwell is retching in his grave at the mere suggestion of this.)

If, as Nussbaum reiterates over and over again throughout “Literature, imagination and Democratic Citizenship”, readers are consciously or unconsciously changed by the things they read, what will the next few generations amount to?

With novels such as “Twilight” polluting a fourteen-year-old girl’s mind and educating her on the finer points of teen-pregnancy, unhealthy relationships, and unhappiness-unless-you-have-a-boyfriend, I shudder to think of her future.

Or, let us go back to the fine example of the series “Fifty Shades”, in which the protagonist stays with an abusive man. (I read the books. The guy seemed to operate on a logic of ‘no’ means ‘yes’, ‘yes’ means ‘bring the cable ties, please’). What does that mean for us, readers?

 

If literature can instill civic values, is there a darker side to it? Does literature also help cement negative aspects in our society? The answer is, sadly, yes. In my examples, I talk about current books, of course. But novels and books have been utilized to brainwash individuals before. ( Think “Mein Kampf”)

 

With this in mind, should we not be much more careful of what we allow to be published? Even if authors nowadays are not aware of the atrocious effects their work might have, readers are still unknowing victims to the perpetuation of negative ideas.

Furthermore, should we be better at educating readers so that they can be much more intelligent and discriminating of the materials they are supposed to read?

 

Or, maybe I’ve been thinking a tad too much about the power of literature, when I should be immersing myself in mid-term studies.

 

 

Note: If anybody has no idea of what Mein Kampf is, here I present an interesting article explaining it, as well as its effects on history: http://www.livescience.com/2821-mein-kampf-changed-world.html