How Themes in Literature Can Inform Sociological Theory, Research, and Teaching

Abstract

In this article we revisit the strategy of using literature to inform sociology. We address a central question: what literary themes are generally ignored by sociologists, and how can sociology as a discipline benefit by incorporating such themes in theories of social processes? We identify ten themes that are common in literature but not common in sociological analyses: optimism, pessimism, ambition, indolence, betrayal, revenge, curiosity, apathy, doubt, and certainty. We first provide examples of how each theme is addressed in classic literature e.g., in works of fiction, poetry, religious texts, etc. and discuss their importance in understanding facets of the human condition. We then discuss how considering each theme can benefit theory and research in sociology. We conclude with a discussion of what changes must occur within the discipline of sociology to encourage sociologists to look beyond common themes and toward new areas of inquiry.