The history of literature dates back to the dawn of human civilization. The societies were formed by the human beings with objectives of fulfilling the human needs and aspirations. Setting aside which came first- literature or society the aim of this paper is to depict the picture of literature in society and vice-versa. Both have remained inseparable from each other, for literature can not sustain without society and likewise the society too, can not be unnoticed in literary pieces in one way or another. That literature is the mirror of the society in which it has been written is an established fact. It mirrors the evils of the society with a view to making the society realize its mistakes and make amends. It also reflects the virtues and good values in the society for people to emulate. We can not find a single piece of literature which does not portray the attitudes, morale and values of the society because not a single writer remains completely unexposed to the world around him/her. Literary writers transport the real life events of their society into their works and put before society as a mirror so that people can look at themselves. Thus, literature not only reflects the society but also presents itself as a corrective mirror.
Assistant Professor, Dept. of English Shakya Muni College, Bodh-Gaya
