Should your book be political?
By DoriLentrich
@DoriLentrich (1016)
United States
3 responses
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
2 Mar 11
You're right. As readers we need to have a lot of different types of books our there. But as authors I've heard it said (or seen it written), that we have a responsibility to try and promote change with our words. Basically, if a book isn't trying to "change the world" you shouldn't bother writing it. Personally, I don't feel that way, but there is a trend towards making everything political now and I wondered how other people who write feel about it.
@Lore2009 (7378)
• United States
3 Mar 11
I don't agree with that either. Trying to change the world and actually changing the world is completely different.. and change is different in every person. There are those books that actually have no hidden message but the reader can relate so much to it that it 'changes' them completely.. and there are those books that try to change the world but in return make people angry.
1 person likes this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
5 Mar 11
Very true. Sometimes its simple truths that change us the most. And if a writer tries too hard to write those, it comes off as contrived. I don't know if trying to change the world and changing it are that different. If you are trying, you are attempting to accomplish something. Even if you do not succeed, you are leaving a mark that you've been trying to do something. Thus, to write something with the sole intent of causing political reaction is in a way creating some kind of change.
@stevieboi19 (1419)
•
1 Mar 11
I think they do have political motives in a book but they don't always appear as openly to some as they do to others with different books just applying more politically in different societies. Even as an author they may not notice their political motives in the book and silently appear to a reader 
. Through books whislt not all will openly challenge politics rather change it history shows that poltically influnced books connect to the masses of readers 
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. Through books whislt not all will openly challenge politics rather change it history shows that poltically influnced books connect to the masses of readers . 2 people like this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
3 Mar 11
You're right about politics slipping in to an author's work. Politics is part of the human experience now. There is nowhere in the world that I can think of where politics don't play a role in daily life. Living under governance necessitates politics as a general rule.
And political books the intentional and unintentional kind do resonate with people. Most people think about their place in the structure of society and when they do, they think about politics. Seeing those feelings reflected in literature is something they can identify with.
1 person likes this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
5 Mar 11
You're right about Russians and writers in general. A lot of fiction has been allegory for the political situation around the author. A way to express their frustration or warn of what was coming to his/her readers. Literature can be a powerful resource for people. It makes us think and feel. When people do one or the other, they don't always follow through, but when they do both, the impetus is greater.
1 person likes this
@stevieboi19 (1419)
•
3 Mar 11
I instantly think of 1984 what a book but the politics are key to that book so they don't slip just slip in. The intentional and unintentional is key to the ways people view current political situations .
Literature is a great way to change politics thinking of certain countries I'm sure Russias governement was arfraid of books influencing society in any way with all the politcal works being published so much so they were banned and people faced life sentences as a result 
. Yet still Russians wrote their books which shows some bravery in political challenge of those in control .
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Literature is a great way to change politics thinking of certain countries I'm sure Russias governement was arfraid of books influencing society in any way with all the politcal works being published so much so they were banned and people faced life sentences as a result . Yet still Russians wrote their books which shows some bravery in political challenge of those in control .2 people like this
@jhaidro (877)
• Philippines
22 Feb 11
I think that at these times, this should be the focus. This has been the problem of many countries today. I think that for us to appreciate life more, things should be in their proper places. For that to happen, governance should be for the welfare of the many and for what is due to the people.
I think that political issues should be written on books and the possible ways on resolving them. I think that the best topic to include in this matter is the ethical principles in general. Most people who are in the position tend to become greedy and just think about what they would get while having authority.
When people read about this sort of things, they would feel empowered and inspired which would encourage them to act for what they should have.
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
3 Mar 11
So, do you think that writers should try to be political when they write?
What do you mean that "governance should be... for what is due to the people"? I'm not sure I understand the message behind that. As the upheavals around the world are showing, there is a trend towards overthrowing dictators, but we have yet to see what the people put in their place. Iran was a monarchy that was traded for a theocracy. Whether the people there are more free now or then is up for debate.
As an author, how would you go about writing for these kind of changes? What is the right tactic, form? Pamphlet, fiction, journalism? Each offers a different way of communicating ideology to people.
1 person likes this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
5 Mar 11
Definitely. Corruption in government is a cancer that has to be removed. It destroys the trust between the people and their government making a country a difficult and oppressive place to live. People cannot thrive when they fear what they gain may be taken away from them.
And journalism is incredibly important. In a day and age where information appears to be plentiful, it is vital that we get the right information, the facts. It's too easy to drown out the important with the trivial and thus journalists are more important than ever, if they do their jobs. Journalists who try to score political points do more harm than good.
1 person likes this
@jhaidro (877)
• Philippines
3 Mar 11
I just thought that things will be better without corruption. There will be improvement if all the fundings go to the right places.
I think that we should go by journalism. It is better to let people know of the truth that is happening all over.
1 person likes this
