Literature as a human right

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to approach literature as a human right, by analyzing its capability of humanizing the individual and emancipating the subjects, which allows the human being to fully exist. To do so, the analysis is made from both literature’s scientific and artistic production, especially based on the research by Antonio Candido, in order to assess to what extent can literature influence the individuals. Firstly, we approach the personal aspect, due to literature’s humanizing character; Secondly, the psychological aspect, analyzing the role literature plays in the sublimation of drives, and, lastly, the social aspect, seen in its emancipatory potentiality. Finally, we develop the relation between the right to literature, the right to education and the right to culture. Thus, we seek to emphasize the importance of literature for people to live worthily and completely, precisely because it grants to the human being some of their humanity, which makes undeniable that literature is a human right.

Keywords

• direito
• literatura
• humanização
• direitos humanos
• direito à literatura.