Fiction Teaches Empathy When reading the short stories, the reader feels that fiction indeed does teach empathy. Often in a story, the reader sympathizes with a character in the story. This occurs because of how the author uses words and narrative techniques. The author uses empathy very cleverly. The characters that the author chooses to empathize are brought to life in a real form and are made more believable to the reader. All great authors …showed first 75 words of 1079 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1079 total…symbolizes her in the way that she has been trampled over. “She tried not to look as they passed it, but her eyes would not obey”. At this point, the definitive empathy is gained for Elisa. Through symbolism and naturalism, Steinbeck gains critical empathy. But, as previously discussed, point of view, flashback and characterization also contribute to empathy. Many techniques may be used, but only certain outstanding authors can truly attain the reader’s empathy.