Defining Social Commentary



The book has long been used as something more than just entertainment. Books have been used throughout history to teach lessons, instill morals, and challenge thinking. Throughout this blog, we will explore several books that have unique takes on social issues of their day. The social commentary they provide lasts long past their initial publication date.

 But, what is social commentary? Wikipedia defines social commentary as "the act of using rhetorical means to provide commentary on issues in a society. This is often done with the idea of implementing or promoting change by informing the general populace about a given problem and appealing to people's sense of justice" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_commentary).

 In an article for the Gulf News, reporter Manil Ismail interviewed several people about the impact of literature on their lives. He says, "Literature has had a major impact on the development of society. It has shaped civilizations changed political systems and exposed injustice. Literature gives us a detailed preview of human experiences, allowing us to connect on basic levels of desire and emotion." (https://gulfnews.com/literature-is-the-mirror-of-society-1.86134).

 Sue Corbett saw the trend of books coming out that deal with social commentary and activism and explored it in her article, Resist, Persist, Publish (Publisher's Weekly, 2018). In the article, Corbett interviewed several authors, including Young Adult Best-Seller Ellen Hopkins. Hopkins talked about how books can inspire, saying, "The human in me wants to help mitigate an escalating problem, and I believe writing about it can have a definite impact on a generation seeking revolution. The time for activism is absolutely now, and my readers are engaged and demanding change" (29)

 When trying to figure out literature's place in the world of social impact, authors Eleonora Belfiore and Oliver Bennett said, "Yet, accepting that both the nature of literature and the composition of the literary canon are in a continual state of flux does not get us very far in determining what it is that we are trying to understand the impact of when we ask if literature can change lives. Perhaps, therefore, we can find some further assistance from what might be termed ‘the classifying impetus’ of the Western tradition of philosophical thinking" (21)

 Both fiction and non-fiction can be used as forms of social commentary. We will explore both. Read on to learn more!

 Sources:

  • Belfiore, Eleonora, and Oliver Bennett. “Researching the Social Impact of the Arts: Literature, Fiction and the Novel.” International Journal of Cultural Policy, vol. 15, no. 1, Feb. 2009, pp. 17–33.
  • Corbet, Sue. “Resist, Persist, Publish.” Publishers Weekly, vol. 265, no. 19, May 2018, pp. 23–29.
  • Ismael, Manal. "Literature is the Mirror of Society" Gulf News. February 24, 2008.

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