Final answer:
Authors use fiction to reflect on and critique culture by weaving historical contexts, societal values, and critical viewpoints within their narratives, as seen in works like Kjartan Fløgstad's 'Grense Jacobselv' and William Blake's 'London'.
Step-by-step explanation:
An author can use a work of fiction to make a statement about culture by creating a narrative that reflects societal values or critiques societal issues. For instance, authors can set their fictional story within an accurate historical context and invent characters who interact with real historical figures or events. An example is Kjartan Fløgstad's 'Grense Jacobselv,' which explores the reintegration of ex-Nazis into society post-World War II. Authors can also imagine what might have happened in history, offering insight into cultural factors that shaped those events.
Literature often serves as a cultural artifact, revealing both positive and negative aspects of a society, such as justice, discrimination, or racism. By doing so, authors can examine personal and societal identities, bringing forth a reflection or critique of culture, which can in turn generate fruitful discussions and a deeper understanding of both the literary text and historical context, as in the example of William Blake's 'London'.
Through their storytelling, authors engage with cultural discourse by expanding readers' understanding of social dynamics and encouraging a more objective and critical view of the values and practices within cultures.
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