DOI: https://doi.org/10.36344/ccijhss.2025.v11i03.002

Pages: 29-31

The 20th century was a period of extraordinary political upheaval and ideological transformation, characterized by global conflicts, decolonization movements, and the rise and fall of authoritarian regimes. Amid these changes, literary theory underwent significant evolution, reflecting and contesting the shifting contours of political power. This literature review explores how principal political ideologies—Marxism, Fascism, Liberalism, and Postcolonialism—intersected with influential literary theories and movements, including Modernism, Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Feminist Theory, and Postcolonial Criticism. By examining a broad range of scholarly works, the review sheds light on the ways in which literature both mirrors and shapes socio-political realities. Key findings emphasize the centrality of power and resistance, showing how authors harnessed narrative and aesthetic strategies to critique dominant structures or reinforce prevailing norms. Questions of identity and representation emerged as pivotal, as writers grappled with constructs of race, class, gender, and nationhood. Utopian and dystopian visions further illustrated literature’s capacity to reflect collective hopes and anxieties, while the interplay of aesthetics and politics revealed how stylistic choices can challenge or uphold ideological frames. Collectively, these discussions underscore that 20th-century literary theory was never merely a scholarly pastime; rather, it was deeply imbricated in real-world political struggles. Understanding this interrelation illuminates the continuing resonance of past debates, as contemporary scholars and practitioners draw on historical insights to address ongoing issues of oppression, human rights, and cultural expression. In doing so, the review underscores literature’s enduring role as both product and catalyst of political thought.