Politics in a literary work, is like a gun shot in the middle of

O children of the future, heed the words of Stendhal, whose deep insight into the human condition still resonates through the ages. "Politics in a literary work, is like a gunshot in the middle of a concert, something vulgar, and however, something which is impossible to ignore." With these words, Stendhal reveals the profound clash between the art of literature and the gritty reality of politics. Politics, when introduced into a work of literature, disrupts the delicate harmony of thought, emotion, and beauty, much like a sudden gunshot shattering the serenity of a musical performance. And yet, just as the gunshot cannot be ignored, so too does the presence of politics in a story demand our attention, even if it feels crude and out of place.

In the ancient world, the Greeks understood the power of art and politics, often blending the two in their tragedies and comedies. Sophocles, for example, wove themes of political power and moral responsibility into his plays, yet always with a sense of balance and beauty. When the gods’ will was challenged by kings like Creon in Antigone, the tension between personal power and moral duty became the heart of the drama. Though politics was ever-present in Greek tragedy, it was not thrust into the foreground in a way that jarred the audience; rather, it was subtly embedded in the human condition, drawing the viewer into the story. Stendhal’s words remind us that the clash of these worlds—art and politics—can be deeply unsettling, yet it cannot be overlooked.

Consider also the tale of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, where politics is thrust to the forefront of the narrative, shaking the audience to its core. The play tells of the downfall of a great leader, a tale of ambition, betrayal, and moral conflict that reflects the volatile nature of politics itself. The gunshot in the play is not merely a symbol of political assassination, but a profound disruption of the natural order, much like the sudden introduction of politics in a literary work. Just as the assassination of Caesar shakes the entire Roman world, so does the political drama in literature rattle the minds of the audience, forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths.

In modern times, the works of George Orwell—particularly 1984—serve as a stark example of how politics in literature cannot be ignored, no matter how much it might disrupt the harmony of the narrative. Orwell’s dystopia, with its totalitarian regime and constant surveillance, injects politics directly into the heart of the story, creating a tension that cannot be dismissed. Though the politics of Orwell’s world are deeply unsettling and vulgar, they are also impossible to ignore, for they reflect the very real dangers of unchecked power and control. Like the gunshot in the concert, Orwell’s work forces the reader to confront the harsh realities of political manipulation.

O children, let the wisdom of Stendhal and the great writers of the past guide you in your understanding of literature and politics. Politics, though sometimes jarring and disruptive in a literary work, holds a mirror to the real world and demands attention. Just as a gunshot in the middle of a concert shocks us, so too does the intrusion of politics into literature make us face the uncomfortable truths about power, corruption, and human nature. Let us not shy away from this disruption, but instead, embrace it as a tool to understand the world more deeply. For in the clash between art and politics, we find the raw truths of our existence, truths that we must confront, no matter how uncomfortable they may seem.