By: Bababunmi Blessing Olayinka

Literature is beyond the entertainment and passing of time. Literature is a time bomb leaving its wake impacts in society that changes the perspective of human; it is the representation of society. It also mirrors the society in letters bringing awareness that would spark with active actions or passive actions. As an eye opener, literature brings the understanding of people to a common mission or purpose. Beyond the stories, the laughs, the joys, the tears, the sadness and all emotions literature tends to unravel, there is history. Truth in a written form waiting to be unveiled, an appearance of societal ills and norms shaping the lives of all participants acting our roles in a scripture of letters. This has encouraged critical thinking by readers. Literature has facilitated and greatly improved thinking as readers will recall, retrieve and reflect on what was read. Actions taken will be drawn from this premise, the ability to understand the author and decide what to do.

Hence, it is safe to say that there’s no literature without history. History has it wrapped with its tentacles , dictating its movement through the storyline as the truth must be told in a simpler form or otherwise. Literary texts speak of past events, drawing attention of the readers to what’s happening or what happened. Throughout history, countless literary works have served as catalysts for social change. Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist draws attention to the plight of orphans in Victorian England, leading to reforms in child labor laws. George Orwell’s Animal Farm serves as a powerful critique of totalitarianism, influencing political discourse and activism worldwide. These are just a few examples of the innumerable ways in which literature has sparked conversations, challenged societal norms, and mobilized individuals to fight for a more just and equitable world.

The cultural values and norms of every society can be seen in diverse literary texts through a record of written down history. Through them, we become aware of some certain things in place, forbidden or just hanging. This information on our cultural values has either shaped the society or been shaped by the society. Being relayed by these timeless pieces, it reflects our unintentional uniformity. The historical and cultural atvalue of literature cannot be over emphasized nor ignored. This impact has created movements, spurred actions by people who became aware of some societal misconduct that culture is being shaped by. According to the World Economic Forum, reading is not just about pleasure: books have the power to touch us profoundly, to open our eyes to injustice – and sometimes even act as a catalyst of social change. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is one of the greatest works of protest literature. It is believed that the novel triggered the American Civil War.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is an antislavery novel published in two volumes in 1852. It was written in response to the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. Harriet Beecher Stowe has firsthand accounts of human enslavements at Ohio where she resides which compelled her to write the novel. She also questioned the black helpers around her house for their personal experience in slavery. She shared ideas about the injustices of slavery, pushing back against dominant cultural beliefs about the physical and emotional capacities of the blacks. The novel is a great piece that brought the horrors of slavery to the attention of the public on a personal level causing an uproar. The novel progressed the abolitionist cause in the North, activating anti-slavery forces and stirred up tension among Southern slaveholders. The novel reflected the slave society; their pains, their struggle, quest for freedom including black martyrs.

The text influenced societies leaving lasting impacts in them. Firstly, it made the readers to be aware of the ills of slave trade happening in America to oblivious citizens. It facilitated their critical thinking. They began to think in a different way but towards a unified goal. It also led to active actions of the citizens. Literature therefore, informs our intellect spurring us to actions in order to effect a change. Abraham Lincoln on seeing Harriet Beecher Stowe a decade after when she wrote this novel, he said, “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.”

As readers, we hold the power to unlock the transformative potential of literature. By approaching texts with an open mind and a critical eye, we can delve beyond the surface layer of plot and characters to uncover the societal commentary embedded within. By engaging in discussions, reflecting on our own biases, and connecting the narratives to the world around us, we can harness the power of literature to spark meaningful change. So, the next time you pick up a book, remember: it’s not just a source of entertainment, but a potential catalyst for personal and societal transformation.