personal journey with literature, from the classroom to the courtroom, has been a profound one. As a former high school English teacher, criminal defense trial attorney, and general lover of literature, I could present numerous compelling arguments for the importance of reading. But I would like to focus on one reason.
Books have taught me how to gain empathy for people. Empathy does not mean that we have to agree with everything in the world; empathy means that we try to understand different types of people and viewpoints than our own with compassion.
Yes, this sounds cheesy. But when you think about it, the reason we have so much conflict on the local level (think of the assault or crime that has happened in your local town) and on the global level (pick any war or semi-war in any part of the world) is that we fail to understand the other person or other group’s perspective.
We tend to view “them” as opponents without trying to understand their side. When we get so stuck in our perspectives that we begin to view the other side as enemies, conflict arises between people, cultures, and countries. However, understanding different perspectives is not just a step towards resolution and peace; it’s a commitment to fostering empathy and understanding. This commitment gives us hope for a more peaceful and empathetic world.
Literature’s diverse characters and narratives are crucial in encouraging open-mindedness and tolerance. It’s not just about the stories; it’s about how they broaden our understanding of the world around us, enlightening us and broadening our perspectives. Literature plays a significant role in shaping our worldview and making us more open-minded.
By immersing ourselves in a character’s world through reading, we don’t just understand or agree with them, we become them. This transformative experience deepens our empathy for those who are different from us, a power that only literature can truly harness.
When I first taught English, I would teach F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The novel begins with a quote from the narrator Nick Carraway: “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone… Just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” This quote says a lot about the inspiring role of empathy—a quality that literature, more than any other medium, nurtures and encourages.
Reading books of all kinds has given me perspectives that I would never have had otherwise. It has helped me understand different beliefs, cultures, and ideas, and most importantly, it has given me a deeper and more empathetic understanding of people who are different from me.
This journey of personal growth and transformation is what makes books and reading so inspiring and motivating.
