Consider culture as an expression of identity and explore the ways in Essay

Consider culture as an expression of identity and explore the ways in which literature and art are used to shape that identity f - Essay Example This paper offers a discussion of the ways in which literature and art can be used to shape an identity for political purposes. It will argue on the purpose that is played by literature and art on one hand and politician on the other as well as how both relate in the support for political viewpoints, assumptions, policy and agendas. As Fearon (1999) points out, identity is a way in which a certain group in the society sees and defines itself and the way the other groups and individuals in the society see and define them. The group forms its identity through a socialization process which eventually influences the prevailing social institutions like the mass media, education system and the family. Identity is very important since it marks the similarities and differences that exist in the society. Identity is used to bring about a factor like social class with its own lifestyle, clothes, income level, shopping places, TV programmes and movies, leisure, sport, music, food, accent and ma ny other activities that emphasizes a certain class. Eventually, when individuals and groups identify themselves through such kind of life, it becomes a way of life or a culture of its own. The alleged characteristics and behaviors are hence used to place individuals in a certain social category. Social identity in the first instance is a label that groups a number of people by their shared features. However, beyond labeling, it has a number of implications that reflect in cognitive beliefs, emotional association or behavioral consequences Castells (2011). The feeling of inclusion to a cultural group is important to individuals’ sense of self and their relationship with others. Cultural identity is expressed through certain ways of dressing, earning, participation in rituals and sharing certain types of information. Pieces of literature and art work are progressively produced and consumed by the society. Both artists and political groups represent a future reality that must b e communicated to the society. On one hand, a dominant class that has assumed or wishes to assume power educate themselves with books, photographs, making trips to cultural homeland, videos and those knowledge materials passed down from elders. By arming themselves with accurate information about a culture, they are able to express it fully. As Castells (2011) observed, in most society today, a high culture that is seen as superior to other culture can be identified. There are aspects that high culture uses as a way to be set apart from day-to-day life. The culture is presented as something special and one to be treated with reverence and respect. To sustain that supremacy, there are things that are part of the heritage and with lasting value that are taken as worth preserving. Literature and art consist of major products and are often found in special places including museums, concert hall, galleries and theatres. High culture uses products like serious news, documentaries, program mes and classical music to hold privilege and great power in society. These products are used to assert or make the other forms of cultures to see, accept and recognize that identity. These products are used as socially distinguished features that allow a person to have special pride in, honor,