The Power of Literature (Essay Sample)

The Power of Literature
Literature has been widely known to bring issues that concern society into life; these include day to day events and things that humans relate with. For example, literature has been used by literary giants to speak of their experiences in their interactions, to tell of people’s cultures and even to correct behavior. Literature is a great influence in the lives of people and brings into perspective the society as a whole. 
“A Devoted Son”, a story by Anita Desai is a piece of writing that demonstrates the power of literature. This story is about a father and son and how their relationship changes. Rakesh, the son, is a child that makes his parents happy by getting the best education in the United States, becoming a doctor and going back o his home place. After returning, he makes his parent even more proud by showing that his morals were not affected negatively in America by agreeing to marry the girl that his parents have chosen for him. This shows his devotion to his parents. Though he ends up becoming the richest doctor in his neighborhood, he still manages to be the humble son that his parents expect.
His mother later died, leaving him to care for his sick father. Rakesh, being the doctor he is and wanting his father’s health, he restricts his father’s diet. This does not auger well with the old man and soon devises ways to please him by eating what he is not supposed to. When Rakesh finds out, he disagrees with him. Their dispute lasts since his father tells him that he does not want to live anymore due to the death of his wife. He does not take medication. This angers Rakesh and he even stops seeing at some point. Here, literature is not only used to give the discrepancies in the age gap, but also document a normal relationship between a father and a son. Rakesh is shown as a very devoted son who obeys his parents to the latter but later falls out with his father after the death of his mother. The power of literature therefore is seen here as a binder and voice of familial values and relationships. 
The power of literature can also be seen in the story of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. This story is what is referred to as tragedy in the literal quarters. It is a play. Hamlet is a Prince of Denmark who constantly broods about humanity and death. Allegory, imagery and symbolism are used at great lengths. This comes up more so when the protagonist holds a skull. The power of literature is used here to give religious beliefs and behavior of different people in the society. For instance, Hamlet can be seen to be a very superstitious character when he refuses to kill one of his enemies Claudius because he (Claudius) is in prayer. Since Hamlet wants him to go to hell, he reasons that if he kills him in prayer he will go to heaven. The power of literature is brought forward in giving the characters of different people in the society. There are those who want the best for others whilst there are others who want the worst. For instance, Gertrude is poisoned. Though the poison is meant for Hamlet by his own enemies, Gertrude accidentally drinks it and dies. This brings together Laertes and Hamlet who were not in good terms.
Literature in the above play has been used to reveal the kinds of relationships people have in the society. The struggle for power and influence as demonstrated by Claudius is a good picture of this. History has also been documented. This play takes place in the ancient Europe. The preservation of language is also seen since the kind of language used then cannot be compared to the one used presently. Therefore, literature has been used to preserve language, as well as culture. Lessons can also be learnt in the interactions of characters in the play.