The Effects That Language in Fictional Literature Has on Empathy

Abstract

After reading several novels in class and discussing them with fellow students, I realized how even fictional pieces of literature can impact the way a person thinks. Thus, my topic for this study was the effect that reading fiction has on gaining empathy. The question I proposed to add to this conversation was: To what extent does the language used in fictional literature affect how people gain empathy? For this study, I conducted a content analysis using the novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mosin Hamid. It is through coding that I discovered three predominant themes in this novel through analyzing the language used. These themes were the main character's sense of loyalty and belonging to America, his sense of loyalty and belonging to Pakistan, and the struggle he faced after the events on 9/11 when he felt that he had to choose between one country or the other. Considering how language is used in conjunction with characterization, it may be possible to influence more empathetic responses for groups or individuals who are perceived as similar to empathetic characters within the novel. Overall, the language used in a novel has an impact on how well the reader is able to empathize with the story which then impacts their empathy in the real world. Key Words: empathy, fiction, literature, language, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mosin Hamid