Social Functions of Literature

Whether intentionally or not, directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously, a relationship is formed between a writer and their reader through the text. Once the writer becomes aware of their role and the connection binding them to the reader, their narrative strategies are no longer a matter of chance but rather responses to the reader's diverse needs and expectations. To ask whether "literature's role is to make the reader reflect on moral, political, or social issues" is to question the functions of literature; it is to consider not only the writer's objectives but also the reader's role. Every literary text must necessarily play a role and naturally fulfill some social function (recreational, practical, educational, etc.). These functions can be identified depending on whether one is focusing on the creation (sociology of creation) or the reception (sociology of reception) of the literary work.