The Purpose of Fiction -- Revisited

If asked, most people would probably say fiction is a form of entertainment -- in contrast to, say, non-fiction, which would probably be identified as a form of enlightenment.

But fiction is arguably other things as well.

"Sweetness," by Toni Morrison

The "New Yorker" published an interesting short story by Toni Morrison in its Feb. 9, 2015 edition -- a story that, while easily standing on its own, may be the first few pages of her new novel "God Help the Child," which is due for release in April. The story is called "Sweetness" and like a lot of good fiction, it is both well written and operates on more than one level.

 

There have been numerous calls for a fresh dialog on race in America in the wake of the Trayvon Martin, Ferguson and Eric Garner affairs and on one level, "Sweetness" could be viewed as part of the conversation. Color-based prejudice is not just a black and white problem, but appears to be deeply ingrained in human nature. Is that one reason the laws and regulations implemented, not always properly, in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement appear to have failed in certain important respects?  How then best to address the issue?