الأدب و المجتمع " رؤية سوسيولوجية "

Literature and Society: “A Sociological Perspective”
 
Summary:
The nature of literature has been linked to the social eras from which it emerged, varying from one period to another. The connection between literature and society is not only objective but also structural. Addressing literary issues and their reception is challenging without a social perspective. Therefore, this research paper seeks to understand the interplay between literature and society and their mutual influence, using Pierre Bourdieu's theory. Through a field study at the Literary Club of the Al-Anfoushi Cultural Palace in Alexandria, the study aims to provide a sociological perspective on how literature affects society and reflects social transformations.
The study's problem and significance lie in understanding the intertwined relationship between literature and society. Its goals include uncovering how literature impacts society, expresses social transformations, and how society imprints on literature and its outputs. The current study highlights the role of literary clubs in society and the promotion of cultural and literary activities, addressing the gap related to the scarcity of studies on literary institutions and their role in shaping social life. The study included questions about the types of literary activities offered at the club, the impact of members' social backgrounds on their interaction with the activities, the role of cultural diversity in the club, how members enhance their knowledge and culture through the activities, the club's influence on the social distribution of cultural tastes, and how the club's activities reflect social and economic transformations.
A review of various studies that examined this relationship in different ways was conducted, highlighting the methodological and theoretical approaches of each study and the position of the current study among them. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical method, using tools such as participant observation, personal interviews, and secondary sources. The data was analyzed using qualitative research methodology according to Pierre Bourdieu's theory, including concepts like social field, cultural capital, symbolic capital, and habitus. The study reviewed the historical development of the sociology of literature through different historical stages, including imitation, expression theory, and creation theory, reaching modern methodologies for interpreting the literary phenomenon and its relation to society. The Literary Club at the Al-Anfoushi Cultural Palace in Alexandria was chosen as the field study site, and data collection procedures included attending literary events, analyzing the club's executive regulations, and conducting personal interviews with active members.
This study attempted to reveal the significant importance of the relationship between literature and society and highlighted the vital role of literary clubs in promoting social and cultural interaction. The study's results showed that literary clubs play an important role in enhancing social and cultural interaction and that literature contributes to the cultural knowledge and social status of members. The study emphasized the vital role of literary clubs in promoting social and cultural interaction and the importance of literature in society. It provides new insights into the relationship between literature and society, contributing to academic research in this field.
Keywords: Literature - Society - Pierre Bourdieu- Sociology of Literature