Social and Political Realism in the Select Novels of Doris Lessing and Mo Yan A Comparative Study

Abstract

Literature has been instrumental in provoking and exploring the human sense and sensibilities over the centuries. It has been reflexive of all dimensions of human existence in agreement and disagreement with the societal norms, conditions and ideologies similar and dissimilar to each other. At times, it has sternly conveyed, criticized, evaluated, interpreted and corrected the main course of human actions. It makes us smile, laugh, and burst into tears and enthuses a spirit of living a wonderfully amazing and satisfying life. Some sort of literature simply transgresses us to the world of beauty and noble feelings with best of possible realities from contemporary ethos and conditions. The prime aim of literature has been to convey the true and apt sense of social, religious, economic, political and cultural ideology and indifferences within the times. At times, it also imparts us an opportunity to indulge into extra textual realities greater than realities that are reflected by life. It best rejoices and criticizes the social set up, value system, culture, creed, nature, behaviour, attitude and life conditions in the age. Literature has a great universal appeal and value precisely because it offers the closest possible view of human life and predicament. newlineTo reflect the social, political, cultural, religious and economical aspects, and perspectives of life with fullest possible realism and critical commentary relative to it has been the chief aim of literature. Many authors such as Charles Dickens, Doris Lessing, Mo Yan, etc. have communicated facts and fancies of real life with greater extent of reality by the virtues of their infinite vision and observations. Their acidic realism and scornful observations have delineated a true but neo-social vision of life that keeps and communicates hopes and aspirations of noble life. This neo social vision has enabled us to correct, modify and re-establish our societal values, ethical systems from time to time. Authors in each country have communicated their contemporary etho