Another reality

An invitation to read

Abstract

What is the relationship between literature, the art of words, and society’s deep and complex issues? Can the social fabric be affected in a positive way by literature, one of the oldest human expressions? There does not seem to be any direct link in this respect, other than the influence that the so-called reality inevitably has over every kind of artistic work. However, if we pay attention, literature presents itself as a magnifying glass that allows us to discover aspects of that same reality which would otherwise be invisible. The act of reading thus becomes a potentially critical stand for the reader, who could then turn into a legion of readers. The result would be a critical consciousness with potentially positive effects on the rearrangement and development of social structures. This is, in a way, the axis on which the present paper is based.