It’s time for the Literary Blog Hop again. This week’s question is:
Should literature have a social, political, or any other type of agenda? Does having a clear agenda enhance or detract from its literary value?
I’m inclined to think that as a writer one has a tremendous opportunity to put forth one’s world view to a large and varied audience. If the writer feels strongly about a social or political issue and is able to use fiction to highlight this, good for him/her. As long as it is entertaining and engaging, I see no reason to complain. Writers like Charles Dickens, Ayn Rand, George Orwell and almost all the Russian Masters have done this very effectively.
However, when the author turns preachy and starts ranting, it dilutes the impact of the story being told. Literature can be an instrument of change or simply a mirror to existing reality. But in either case, it must be primarily about telling a story and telling it well.
Bravo! Well said. There's a place in literature for social comment but entertainment is paramount - for me anyway. Great question and great response!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dana.
ReplyDeleteI agree that when an author starts to rant and separates from the story that the agenda they've put forth starts to get obnoxious. The story should come first and any sort of argument they have should be a part of the story, not something standing outside of it. If a rant can be taken out of the story without disrupting anything, it shouldn't have been in there.
ReplyDelete"If a rant can be taken out of the story without disrupting anything, it shouldn't have been in there." Absolutely. Couldn't have put it better myself.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. If the author is good at using literature to write about their agenda's then why not. Every type of book has it's place.
ReplyDeleteWell put. I agree. Stay off the soapbox, authors. Come walk with me and tell me your story.
ReplyDeleteHere's my post: "All a Poet Can Do is Warn."
I like the conciseness of your post. I think you said it all.
ReplyDeleteHere is my post (and a literary giveaway!)
Thank you Karen, Deb Nance at Readerbuzz and LBC.
ReplyDeleteYep, I agree. There are plenty of stories I read without even realising the author had an agenda and that's probably how it should be. The quality of the story should come first.
ReplyDelete