Introduction
Literature texts have many functions, such as depicting society and passing social lessons to the reader; in this paper, I have pointed out the social lessons from four texts. The texts include; In the Cutting OF a Drink, A Little Matter of Marriage, Beautiful Spurted Blood, and Out of Alien Days. We will begin by analyzing In the Cutting of a Drink.
In the Cutting of a Drink
The love and efforts a family puts when it comes to a loved one are well captured in this literature. After Mansa stopped going to school, her mother still pleaded with her, but this did not bear any fruits. Her family organized for her to get housekeeping and sewing skills from another woman, but this venture did not last. After this arrangement, Mansa only visited her family one Christmas before going missing for 12 years. The narrator, Mansa’s brother, leaves the country to go to the city to look for his long-lost sister.
The narrator is not fazed or stopped by how huge the city is or the fact that his last memory of his sister was from 12 years ago; during his narration, he reminds his mother the last time they saw Mansa, she was ten years old, and a lot may have changed this is captured when he acknowledges in his narration that girls grow fast In a huge metropolitan area, he doesn’t know her residence or marital status, but this doesn’t deter him. The possibility that Mansa may have passed away is not lost on his brother but what brings him comfort is the knowledge that if this is the outcome, his sister ghost will be at peace, knowing fully well that she has not been forgotten.
Mansa’s current condition made her mother and her little sister weep during the narration. It is clear that the people who are hurt and affected the most by our decision are our family, and therefore their feelings should be considered when making a life decision. Duayaw and the narrator are so different. Despite acknowledging the beauty of Duayaw’s friend, the narrator still frowns at the idea of marrying someone from a different tribe.
However, despite how they view the changes in society differently, Duayaw is still kind to him. Duayaw offered him a place to stay, food, paid for his ticket, and even drink when they went out. Despite acknowledging how difficult the search would be Duayaw joined in on the search. They decided on the little things they would do. Change is the only constant thing, and how we all adapt to it may differ. Still, we should always be grounded by moral values such as kindness, generosity, and respect when we interact despite our different views.
A little Matter of Marriage
This literature depicts the discrimination persons living with disability faces in society. The third born in the family is described as ugly and crippled. A name is part of a person’s identity, but even that he is denied. The society in this literature is also fond of giving persons living with disabilities nasty names. Despite being the youngest, he was cast aside and made to live on his own. His love for tending to his plant made them deem him crazy. He is the only one who suspected the man who captured his sister’s heart was not good. He warned his sister and even gave her the means to test the suitor. This all goes to show that he was a good judge of character.
The flowers he loved so much wilted when his sister was calling out for help.on the way to help his sister, he was veraciously attacked by a bird, but he was able to defeat it with a slight backhand. He had clubfoot, but even this did not slow him down. According to the narrator, he climbed twenty stairs at a time till he reached the accursed room. The boy who the society cast aside and considered less was able to kill the devil on his own using nothing but a copper coin and a rubber band and single-handedly saved his sister. The lesson learned from this text is Persons living with disabilities deserve to be treated with love and respect.
People living with disabilities are more than capable of doing anything they set their mind to. Society should change the negative view, attitudes and avoid discrimination against persons living with a disability.
Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and the decision of whom to marry should be made with integrity and a lot of care. When Tetiyette was pronounced ready for marriage, she had many suitors because of her beauty. She was vain in her selection and sent many of her suitors away solely based on their appearance. She finally settled for one who was seductively unsettling. The suitor’s fingernail, which was long enough to pierce the throat of a bird, escaped her notice during the courting stage. Despite the suitor failing the test, Tetiyette was told to perform on him by his little brother. She said it to no one.
At this point, she should have called off the wedding, but she still went on with it. The priest who ordained the marriage was unknown, he had no cross, no church, and no gown, but everyone at the ceremony was fooled by his dazzling eyes. This literature also shows the importance of asking for help when there’s is trouble in marriage. Tetiyette was only helped when she screamed for her little brother.
Out of Alien Days
The lesson picked on this poetry is the call to the people (oppressed) to be vocal, to sprout ahead. It calls on a revolution, and it rebukes postponement of revolution by asking when is the tomorrow of the oppressed. In line 19, the poet acknowledges the price of the revolution, instead, the redness of the east in the Balisier’s heart, but the results of the revolution are promising and worthy; after the revolution, a torrential swell of the land awaits the oppressed.
Beautiful Spurted Blood
The poem gives a brief history lesson of the suffering and torture the oppressed faced, from lacerated limbs to trophy heads. From the title, blood was shed. Sad and lost melodies of the oppressed could be heard at the shore. This may refer to the method(sea) the oppressed were captured from their homes, and the poem also enlightens the reader of the awakening of the oppressed as the poet notes the bird has noticed its chain, which ferociously snaps (revolution). The warning to the assassin, oppressor, is also noted (Arnold, 1981). The oppressed demand and accounting/justice for all the atrocities they faced in the oppressor’s hands. The poet also acknowledges the growth of the oppressed by stating that the bird’s feathers are more beautiful than in the past.
Conclusion
The role of literature in society cannot be emphasized enough. Literature is the mirror of society. It not only depicts the current situation but also educates about the past. It also contains valuable social lessons that aim to improve society for a better future.
References
Arnold, A. J. (1981). Modernism and negritude: the poetry and poetics of Aimé Césaire. Harvard University Press.