Does National Mindset Shape Literature?

Every nation has its own novels, essays and stories, and these works are passed down from one generation to the next. Although they are written in different languages, they reflect how a nation views the world, approaches different ways of life, and interacts with others. As a result, literature, language and storytelling continue to be preserved and passed on from generation to generation.

Why did Cao Xueqin write Dream of the Red Chamber in China, while Shakespeare wrote Hamlet in England rather than elsewhere? Different living environments give rise to different national mindsets, literary styles, storylines and forms of expression. Therefore, we can say that literature is a reflection of society; it does not emerge out of thin air. Geography shapes the character of a nation, while different natural environments give rise to different ways of life and, ultimately, different cultural traditions. Literature is the product of a nation’s shared experiences, while its national mindset is the deepest soil in which literature takes root.

Why are novels shaped by different national mindsets able to endure for centuries and continue influencing future generations? Every era produces its own literary works. For example, during times of war, both the East and the West produced many novels about war, such as Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the East and Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front in the West. In peaceful and stable times, many novels focus on romance and family life, such as Cao Xueqin’s Dream of the Red Chamber in the East and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre in the West. This is what humans are born to desire. The way a nation lives shapes the way it thinks, and different ways of thinking, lifestyles and environments give rise to different stories. Why do many children in the East enjoy reading Doraemon? Because during childhood, they often wish for someone who never says “no” someone who can help them and fulfil their wishes. Meanwhile, many Western children grow up reading Disney fairy tales, while today’s children are exposed to many different kinds of novels. Influenced by different geographical and cultural environments, their reading interests naturally vary.

For centuries, Eastern societies were built upon agricultural civilisation, relying on rivers for irrigation and farming. As farming followed similar seasonal cycles year after year, people developed a way of thinking that valued continuity, order and following established patterns. Mutual support within families also shaped a culture that places great importance on family, responsibility and long-term cooperation among people. In contrast, as Western societies embraced maritime trade, sailing across distant seas became a way of life filled with adventure. They constantly learned how to deal with strangers, improve their navigation skills, communicate effectively, and build trust with people from different nations. Such an environment nurtured a spirit of exploration while strengthening individual identity. As a result, they became more open-minded and were more likely to treat people equally, regardless of whether they were family members or guests. As a result, Western literary works often revolve around personal choice, freedom and the exploration of the unknown.

Therefore, literature is not merely a book that passively records the events of its time; it is more like a flowing river. What truly endures through time is not only a nation’s language or its land, but also the stories that continue to touch future generations. As long as those stories continue to be read, the spirit of a nation will never disappear. National mindset shapes literature, and the wisdom found in literature flows back to shape the nation’s mindset. This cycle continues from one generation to the next. Literature that truly belongs to a nation is defined not only by literary techniques, but also by the emotions, memories and values accumulated over generations.

In literature, the development of language also reflects different ways of expression. English places great emphasis on tenses, clearly distinguishing the past, present and future, while Chinese relies more on context and the surrounding text to convey meaning. As a result, Chinese literature often values subtlety and artistic expression, allowing readers to appreciate the emotions that lie beyond the written words. Different languages give rise to different literary traditions. Today, readers in the East enjoy Western literature, while readers in the West increasingly appreciate literary works from the East. As different civilisations learn from one another, literature continues to become richer and more diverse. Yet no matter how times change, literature remains a mirror that reflects how a nation once lived and inspires future generations on how to move forward. As society evolves and technology advances, literature also continues to evolve, giving rise to new forms of language and expression. To preserve meaningful literature while keeping pace with the times, we must adopt the mindset of rowing against the current if we do not keep moving forward, we will inevitably fall behind.

So, does national mindset shape literature? The answer is undoubtedly yes. However, with today’s rapid technological advancement, the differences in ways of thinking and literary traditions are gradually becoming less distinct. National mindset gives birth to literature, but literature also shapes a nation’s mindset. As maps continue to change, dynasties rise and fall, and even languages evolve, a nation is still able to recognise its identity not because its borders remain the same, but because its stories continue to live on. Literature has never been just a book; it is a letter that an entire nation leaves for the future.

Today, with rapid technological advancement, the language and communication styles used in emails, WhatsApp and other social media platforms have become increasingly simplified. This technology-driven way of communication offers one clear advantage speed, but it often lacks cultural richness and depth. To prevent future generations from communicating more and more like machines, I hope young people will place greater importance on preserving their cultural heritage by using language that reflects culture, refinement and good values, helping to build a more cultured and gracious society.

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