How Does Literature Affect People?

Literature affects people by teaching them, entertaining them and inspiring them to take action in life. According to Gulf News, literature has “shaped civilisations, changed political systems and exposed injustice.” Literature also helps people understand other walks of life. Narratives, in particular, inspire empathy and give people a new perspective on their lives and the lives of others.

Reading literature is rewarding in so many ways. For instance, it helps people understand the nature of society. Historic literature helps people understand what life was like in the past, and dystopian literature warns people of what life could be like in the future if bad habits are continued. Utopian literature inspires people to picture what life could be in a perfect society.

Some literature inspires emotion. Love poems are a timeless way for people to express romantic, platonic, maternal and other forms of love. Literature about social injustice inspires anger and encourages action for change. Religious literature helps people find and nurture faith. All literature helps people expand their minds. Literature also affects people by offering them a way to express themselves through writing and reading. According to The Guardian, reading for therapy is an age-old practice now known as “bibliotherapy.”