American literature began to emerge around the nineteenth century. authors wrote what their culture was like through folk tales, narratives, and plays. which of the following statements best summarizes a role of literature in society? a. literature does not reflect themes such as religion, justice, and the passage of time. b. literature can express themes such as religion, justice, and the passage of time. c. literature is not used to express cultural themes. d. literature can express creative ideas rather than history.

B. Literature can express themes such as religion, justice, and the passage of time.

In 19th century American literature, an example of a novel that expressed themes regarding its times and issues like religion and justice would be: Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe, which spoke out against slavery. (This book was the second-best selling book of the century; only the Bible itself sold more copies.)  Another example of a 19th century American novel addressing issues of religion and justice would be The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a work which explored themes of legalism in religion as well as questions concerning sin and guilt.

"the attempts of the proletariat to rise above this abasement"