LITERARY FICTION & EMPATHY

Reading fiction makes humans understand human things. That is, when one reads fiction- rather than interpreting text that consists of mythical creatures and absurd other worldly things- one can relate to a character's emotions and inner-thoughts to their own life and if not, can realize and see another perspective that exists and learn from it. This can lead to a more humane human, gaining empathy skills and becoming a more rounded person that is aware that no matter where you may be, there will always be a more shifted perspective on certain things in life. For example, Hamlet struggles through a loss of a parent and an embarrassment and disgust of another. One may relate to this through his or her own lives dealing with death(s) of loved one(s), parents who make regretful choices, anxiety built up when one desires to change a certain situation, etc. Also, one may relate or make a connection to the sighting of Hamlet Sr.'s ghost by correlating it to a personal death. Maybe after losing someone close and dear to you, it is surreal that they're gone- you still feel their presence and think their spirit is still alive and tries to tell you things by 'signs'. By reading the play, one can make connections to the events being portrayed in the text to one's own life and the readers makes the realization that even though Hamlet is written in Shakespearean language, was written over 400 years ago, and begins with a sighting of a ghost, it is still relatable to modern life. This establishes the fact that Shakespeare's themes and characters' emotions in his work are universally relatable which makes it no surprise that most school's in the world study his plays, such as Hamlet. Fiction makes this possible.The ability for humans to read plots which consist of human actions, thoughts, and emotions makes the world a less-ignorant place, much more open to unique perspectives and personalities. Whether you read it, whether you write it, or both, fiction is a form of literature that closes global social gaps and genuinely makes the world, a "smaller place".