Literature in the face of human rights violations : a prompt for socio-legal investigation and engagement

Abstract

This study aspires to establish a connection between literature and socio-political and legal issues, and literature‘s potential as a mirror and surrogate to the already existing legal mechanisms to interrogate and engage with human rights issues and violations within societies. The first chapter analyzes the historical impact of human rights and observes the connection with literary works and human rights movements emanating therefrom. The second chapter provides a study of literary criticism and theory along with an in-depth discussion on the shortcomings of legal mechanisms to ensure human rights standards. This chapter discusses the ethical and effective consequences of literature as an alternative tool for discussing and dealing with human rights. The third chapter then puts forward its first literary work as a case study for this discussion, with an analysis of Michael Ondaatje‘s Anil's Ghost (2000) in order to substantiate the discussion of literature as a prompt for human rights investigation and engagement. The fourth chapter studies Julian Barnes‘s Arthur and George (2005), in light of issues of discrimination also within colonial England. Finally, the last chapter makes the case in favour of the 'law and literature‘ movement, and remarks on the benefits of making use of literature, especially in the face of human rights violations.