Literature has always been more than mere entertainment; it is a mirror of society and a tool for shaping cultural consciousness. From ancient epics to modern novels, literary works capture the values, conflicts, and aspirations of the times in which they are written, while also influencing the direction of those societies.
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Every culture has its own storytelling traditions. Oral epics like The Iliad or The Mahabharata not only entertained but also reinforced social norms, heroic ideals, and moral frameworks. As writing systems developed, these narratives were preserved in texts, allowing them to influence generations beyond the original audience.
Literature reflects culture in its themes and characters. For instance, realist novels of the 19th century often depicted the struggles of the emerging middle class, while postcolonial literature of the 20th century explored identity, resistance, and the legacy of imperialism. The stories people tell—and how they tell them—reveal underlying beliefs about class, gender, power, and belonging.
