Question

How did print introduce debate and discussion? Explain
OR
"The novels created space for minorities in the society." Establish the validity of the statement with the help of an example?

Answer 1

Through printed matter, one could influence people to think differently. In 1517, Martin Luther wrote 'Ninety Five Theses' criticising many of the practices and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church.
His writings were immediately reproduced in vast numbers and read widely. This led to a division within the church and to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
Luther believed that printing is the ultimate gift of God. French novelist Louise-Sebastien Mercier declared that the printing press is the most powerful engine of progress. Print created a new culture of dialogue and debate. By reading books, common men became aware of the power of reason and started to question about existing ideas and beliefs prevalent in our society.
OR
The following example depicts how novels created space for the minorities in the society
(i) Vaikkom Muhammad Basheer, who was one of the early Muslim writers, gained wide popularity as a Malayalam novelist.
(ii) Vaikkom wrote about the lives of Muslim households. He brought themes like poverty, insanity and life in prison, the sufferings of the so called minorities in the society into light.
(iii) His short novels and stories written in ordinary language of conversation had attracted the attention of readers soon. This provided a space for minorities in the society.