In a compelling exchange that cuts to the very heart of our tumultuous times, acclaimed novelist Elif Shafak and political philosopher Lea Ypi have dissected the power of literature as a potent form of resistance. Their conversation, a beacon for free thought, outlines how storytelling and empathy are essential weapons against the global rise of demagogues and shrinking democratic spaces.
The Writer's Duty in an Age of Anger
Shafak, a Booker Prize-shortlisted author known for her courageous stance on free speech, argues that writers can no longer afford the luxury of silence. "When the world is polarised," she contends, "the storyteller's role is to complicate the narrative, to make us question simple binaries." For her, literature provides a sanctuary for complexity and nuance, which are the first casualties in an environment dominated by soundbites and populist rhetoric.
Beyond Borders and Binaries
The dialogue delves into the personal cost of taking a stand. Both authors, who have faced backlash from authoritarian regimes in Turkey and Albania respectively, speak to the experience of being an exile. Shafak describes the writer as a "translator between cultures," a vital voice for building bridges in an era where walls—both physical and ideological—are being erected. This act of translation is itself an act of resistance against nationalism and isolationism.
Empathy as a Political Tool
A central pillar of their discussion is the transformative power of empathy. Ypi, a professor of political theory, emphasises that literature uniquely fosters the ability to see the world through another's eyes. This, she argues, is a foundational skill for a healthy democracy, directly countering the dehumanising language often employed by autocrats. In an age of hardening identities, the novel remains a powerful vehicle for exploring our shared humanity.
The Assault on Truth and Language
The authors express deep concern over the deliberate degradation of language by populist leaders. Shafak warns against the "poisonous" effect of this, where words are emptied of meaning and used as tools of oppression. The writer's craft, therefore, becomes a mission to reclaim language, to restore its precision and beauty, and to defend truth from the relentless spread of disinformation.
A Call to Action for the Literary World
The conversation concludes not with despair, but with a urgent call to action. Shafak and Ypi implore the literary community—writers, publishers, booksellers, and readers—to actively defend democratic values. This means championing diverse voices, protecting free expression, and recognising that in the fight against authoritarianism, a book can be as mighty as a protest.
