A crucial fact to emerge from a survey of modern Malay literature is the close link between literature and the social and political forces which surround it. From pre-war years until today, Malay writers, always sensitive to the shifts in mood in their environment, have absorbed and responded to the influences around them, and have registered in their works the imprint of these forces. Equally important in characterizing modern Malay literature is the tendency among writers to see literature as having a social purpose. Literature plays the role of exposing social ills and problems, articulating certain stances, reflecting what is perceived as the hopes and aspirations of the people or of seeking to guide society towards the path of Allah. This orientation is given some measure of sanction by literary bodies, the government and religious movement and proponents, all of which made use of literature, albeit for different purposes.

While the literary culture is rich with variations and modifications to suit changing times, one nevertheless observes particular perceptions which continually inform literary works. A definition of social class appears to prevail in writers' perception of Malay society, a view which they reinforce by identifying different values with the respective classes. Similarly, their image of the rural world is clearly differentiated from that of the urban centres. In giving expression to these perceptions, writers adopt an Islamic perspective as the only valid point of reference in their value systems.

An interesting point to note is that these perceptions persist despite glaring contrasts in the writers' circumstances. For example, while in many cases the link between contemporary writers and the rural world is not altogether severed, the village no longer serves as the only conceptual framework for today's writers, as it did their earlier counterparts. Not withstanding this difference, the rural-urban dichotomy which dominated pre-war literature does persist. Its presence may be implicit or less obvious than in the pre-war period, but a pervasive continuity is evident.