The idea that Literature holds mirror to the society is at least as old as Plato's concept of imitation. The might of the pen is unreservedly greater than the blow of a sword - as is evident in the power of the 'word', which has shaped civilizations, changed political scenarios, exposed, and eradicated disparity and discrimination. “So you're the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” This was how Abraham Lincoln reportedly greeted Harriet Beecher Stowe when he met her in 1862, a decade after she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, the second-best selling book of the 19th century after the Bible.

Literary Studies in various languages have been instrumental in giving a voice to the voiceless, enabling and even empowering the 'subalterns' to 'speak' and to be heard. One can find abundant examples in Literature, through which the authors have questioned the stereotypes, be it of marriage, women's position, 'dalit's' plight, or the rights of the LGBTQ. Even Epics of antiquity have been rewritten and reworked in a way that offer divergent perspectives to the myths and legends that have been coming to us through the ages.

One can cite umpteen examples in Literature, where the authors have dared to challenge the status quo. Upton Sinclair's The Jungle portrays the harsh working conditions, extreme poverty and exploitation faced by the mainly immigrant labourer's in Chicago's meat-packing industry. Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mocking Bird says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” These words of 1960 tale of racial inequality in 1930s Alabama still resonate with readers around the world today.

There are innumerable voices that have had far reaching impact on the existing situation, yet these works have not been duly acknowledged and have not been given meaningful place in the mainstream. In the present times, Educational Institutions offer such writers and their works a serious space by introducing them in the curricula. Students are now being taught 'englishes' from Africa, Australia, India, Canada, and other countries, works of translation from regional languages have made it possible to percolate to the general masses key issues pertaining to ethnicity and culture, both of the contemporary world and of the texts written in the past.

The FDP being organized by Amity School of Languages aims to bring insightful minds together to examine and consider such Literary Works which have had a far-reaching impact on the society and the readers. These have also challenged the existing order of things, thereby revealing layers of possibilities and offering newer dimensions and perspectives to the status quo.

• Registration Fee: 300 Rs
• Last Date for Application submission: 24th, April 2022