THE IMAGINATION AND THE LITERARY CREATION
THE IMAGINATION AND THE LITERARY CREATION

Summary/Abstract: When we talk about art, we immediately think of creativity and imagination first, then of the ability to put them into matter, which in other terms we would call talent. Above all, "I strongly believe in the social function of literature, but I become skeptical when someone attributes superpowers to it to save or cure. It is not a lack of faith in the possibilities of literature, but a certain reluctance towards our sometimes too high expectations of it. Do not interpret my position as «autonomist», far be it from me to exempt literature from any responsibility. However, this process by which literature or art in general contributes to the healing of collective wounds is quite complex and takes a lot of time – both to unfold and to be noticed. There are many problems that literature cannot solve, and once we accept its limits and let go of the claim to be «saved» from it, we are free to truly appreciate its role in treating individual or collective trauma. It is hard to trace the impact of literature on society's problems. There is no barometer of the effectiveness of art in this direction. Even so, sociologists of literature can identify situations in which literature has been an important agent of social change. Of course, we do not need scientific instruments now to bring up examples of literary texts that have offered solutions and alternatives to the problems of an individual or a community”.

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