Literature, as is typically defined as the mirror of life, has its deep roots in all walks of life. It has transcended its scope from being confined to entertainment and academia to endorsing peace and harmony among the global masses. Since the time of its origin, literature has shown the power of words through different literary genres and has reflected on the human experience, from being isolated in the caves to mingling into a civilized society; it has traced the evolution of human society thoroughly over time. Bearing an exceptional quality of being an ambassador of peace and unity among global civilizations through resolving issues through dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect, literature has played a pivotal role in mellowing down the political unrest, social inequalities, and religious intolerance that otherwise persists. The point to ponder over is to explore literature’s role as a symbol of peace in a world marred by conflict.

Literature is considered to possess an innate characteristic of being a tool for communication, while communication, in turn, is the key to resolving conflicts and promoting harmony. Gabriel García Márquez’s novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude” is an exemplary depiction of highlighting the destructive series of violence in Columbia (Latin America), which resonated with the conflict-torn nations. The novel is an implicit longing for peace in his homeland, which eventually was achieved with Màequez’s literary contributions playing a major role.

To examine literature’s role as a harmony-promoting field, various lenses can be used, i.e., we can view its peace-making role through the lenses of history, religion, society, and politics. These dimensions unveil that literature has offered pathways to reconciliation apart from narrating the story of conflict.

The Role of Literature in Historical Peacebuilding:

History has been evident time and again to mark literature’s vital role in peacebuilding. For instance, Leo Tolstoy’s novel ‘War and Peace,’ which reflects on the futility of war and the significance of compassion and understanding, pertains to those times when many writers, during periods........

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