Asst.Prof. Maali Abdulhussein Mehdi
Department of English
The Novel as a Tool of Change for Societies
As a literary genre, the novel has shown itself to be more than just a source of amusement. Novels have served as mirrors reflecting societal conditions, ideologies, and changes throughout history. The novel is a potent instrument for social, political, and cultural changes because of its capacity to sway opinions, question accepted wisdom, and ignite change. The novel has been essential in influencing public opinion, challenging established power structures, and advancing social justice through its portrayal of ordinary lives, investigation of human psychology, and involvement with societal issues.
As a reflection of society, novels frequently act as windows into the lives of people and communities, illuminating the injustices, social problems, and challenges they encounter. For example, the 19th-century emergence of social realism, which was typified by novels like Émile Zola’s Germinal (1885) and Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist (1837–1839), revealed the harsh realities of industrialisation, poverty, and child labour. In addition to educating readers about these problems, these novels sparked empathy and raised awareness of the need for reform by providing a thorough depiction of exploitation and suffering.
Challenging social norms and conventions and aspiring to bring about change, many books are written in opposition to the accepted social norms of their era. For instance, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852), which humanised the plight of enslaved people, was a major contribution to the American abolitionist cause. The book served as a vital catalyst for social change by influencing public opinion and offering a moral defence of slavery. The novel’s emergence as a medium for intimate narrative gave writers the opportunity to depict the lives of women, members of the working class, and people of colour in ways that had previously been ignored or repressed. For example, The Yellow Wallpaper (1892) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman argues for women’s equality and autonomy while highlighting the psychological and emotional subjugation of women in the 19th century. Increasing Public Awareness of Social Issues: novels have been used to increase public awareness of significant social issues like inequality, poverty, and racism. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) criticises racial inequality in the American South, whereas John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath (1939) depicts the suffering of migrant workers during the Great Depression. These books have a significant impact on public opinion regarding significant societal issues, promoting empathy, and igniting social change.
A lot of novels employ satire and allegory to make observations about the political climate, attack governing bodies, and suggest substitute political systems. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932) and George Orwell’s 1984 (1949) are two dystopian novels that criticise surveillance, tyranny, and the erosion of personal liberties. Our perceptions of political structures and governmental authority have been profoundly influenced by these books. George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a great testimony against political figures, exposing the hypocrisy and manipulation at the heart of revolutionary movements.
Through the hardships, aspirations, and personal growth of their characters, novels enable readers to examine their own social roles and their position in the greater community. Readers are prompted to reconsider social conventions and relationships by novel’s recurring themes of love, marriage, and socioeconomic mobility. Furthermore, a lot of books give readers profound psychological insights into human nature, helping them to comprehend the complexity of the human situation.
