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Empathy and Self-Awareness Through Literature

Using the novel Fifteen Dogs I explained how literature can provide invaluable life lessons that can cultivate empathy...

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Castro-Telechea 1 Chiana Castro-Telechea N.Prakash English 103 AS70 April 1, 2017

Human Understanding and Awareness Through Literature Literature in any form can be a mirror of our society, as it allows one to understand other human beings and deepen their comprehension of human emotion and human nature. It also stresses the importance of self-reflection and the ability to empathize with others, reinforcing the qualities of what it is to truly be human. In the literary pieces studied, specifically, Fifteen Dogs by Andre Alexis, “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell and “A Hunger Artist” by Franz Kafka, emphasis on the self-discovery and exploring one’s purpose are common themes shared amongst all pieces. Works of literature and storytelling could be considered fundamental tools in understanding and empathising with oneself and others, as it is through relatability and the emotional attachment to literary components, such as characters, plot and circumstance that create a familiar connection from/between the text to their own emotions and conception of humanity. In Fifteen Dogs, Alexis depicts the idea of what it means to be human through empathy, self-awareness and emotion through the developing relationship between Majnoun and his companion Nira. In Karsten R. Stueber’s book “Redefining Empathy” he states that: “Basic empathy… allows us to understand each other in a perpetually direct manner as “same-minded” …” (Stueber 291) which proves to be true when looking closing at the relationship Majnoun and Nira share. Despite Majnoun having the ability to communicate, a barrier between the two remains. Similar to developing personal relationships with others, and there being hardships

Castro-Telechea 2 along the way, their relationship was the same. They’re differences, being their different interpretation of the world and barrier in communication, are what strengthened their relationship. As described, “Nira thought of him as her closest friend”(Alexis 119) and Majnoun felt the same. Their friendship blossomed as if no difference separated them and they each lived in a way in which they considered each other’s circumstance, and empathized with their individual experiences. This is particularly evident in the way that “Majnoun came to appreciate Nira in the best way possible, through the things that she loved” (Alexis 128). He sat with Nira to watch her favourite movie despite his inability to comprehend the world depicted in films and experience films in the same awe as she did. Through this, the two establish an emotional connection, allowing each other into their mind space. It is through their friendship that their identity tends to merge into one another’s. This unfortunately is what causes Majnoun to die unhappy when he loses Nira, as he lost part of himself. Through Alexis’ portrayal, it is possible to understand that the bonds between individuals, and empathetical understanding can be all one needs to feel fulfilled and obtain a sense of purpose. Their appreciation for eachother and love for another being embraces what it means to be human. In Glaspell’s “Trifles”, we encounter a similar recognition of human connection and empathy in an altered light, as these women have a more distant but empathetic relationship. Focusing on a period where women were simply considered a direct reflection of their husbands, it is through the rebellion against the men and the compassion these women share for each other that truly connects them and gives them purpose. During the investigation of the murder of Mr.Wright, the women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, discover who is responsible for the murder despite the men’s obliviousness to the evidence in front of them. Once the women begin to understand her motive and the truth behind the murder, this activates the feminist action and

Castro-Telechea 3 support of Mrs. Hale and Mrs.Peter’s. Specifically when Mrs. Hale begins to “pull out a stitch or two that’s not sewed very good” and the hiding of the box with Mrs. Wright’s dead canary under quilt pieces (Glaspell 751). They begin to stand together to protect her, as if it is a sisterhood. By protecting Mrs.Wright and hiding the evidence and empathizing with her, the women gain a deeper understanding of what she may have been enduring. This is further demonstrated when Mrs. Hale expresses regret of not visiting to make sure everything was okay, “I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be- for women” (Glaspell 754). Glaspell focuses on the oppression of women and the way in which they are willing to protect each other despite her wrong doings, simply because of the way Mrs.Hale and Mrs.Peters empathetically understand Mrs.Wrights situation and suffering. The presence of this empathy and awareness allows the bond of the women to grow stronger and enables them to be more in touch with themselves. In Phyllis Mael’s article she describes the sisterhood these 3 women create by understanding the feminist movement, “…how raising consciousness could empower women to take action together, which they could not take as individuals, how as women share their experience they could act out of a new respect for the value of their lives as women…” (Mael 284) Through Glaspell’s feminist approach, these women protecting one another illustrates the empathy they feel for each other. As well as, the lack of empathy Mrs. Wright may have been faced with in her relationship, and the oppression of women in this time, being stripped of their own human emotion gives us a different perspective to consider of what fulfillment truly is. Lastly, in Kafka’s “A Hunger Artist,” we are again introduced to the idea of what it means to be human, and the misunderstanding of individuals and existentialism. In “Existential and the Dialogical Self” John Rowan defines, “Existentialism is famous for emphasising the real self, the true self, the authentic self – and of course there can be only one of those per person.” (Rowan

Castro-Telechea 4 82). The hunger artist capitalized on this idea completely, being extremely misunderstood, he seeks fulfillment through other’s admiration of his talent of fasting. He wanted to live an authentic life, however, would never feel accomplished unless people noticed his talents and approved of them despite them not understanding. Although being unsatisfied, unhappy and weak he “Sometimes [he] overcame his weakness and sang during the time they were observing, for as long as he could keep it up, to show people how unjust their suspicions about him were” (Kafka 339). The Hunger Artist’s pursuit of happiness through other’s admiration is evident here, he wanted to be understood and admired. In a way, the Hunger Artist is very aware of his purpose in life, and is continuing to live his life this way as it’s what he’s meant to be doing. Kafka expresses this, “The hunger artist himself was the only one who could know that and, at the same time, the only spectator capable of being completely satisfied with his own fasting.” Despite the confusion of his talent, he himself thought he was being his authentic self, and only wanted others to understand this. He refuses to conform to society despite being aware and understanding of the way in which others found there fulfillment and purpose in different ways. This is evident in his dying moments when he the Hunger Artist states, “because I couldn’t find a food that tasted good to me. If had found that, believe me, I would not have made a spectacle of myself and would have eaten to my heart’s content, like you and everyone else.” The Hunger Artist’s discovery of what it means to be human was different than most and was found in his fasting, however; he was able to empathize how others found their happiness and fulfillment overall. Literature is a portal that allows one to interact emotionally and mentally with text to understand human nature. We can view human nature through, love, tragedy, sorrow, pleasure and courage. With literature, it is possible to see into the minds of these characters, and

Castro-Telechea 5 empathize with these emotions and situations they endure. It is through context, emotion, relatability and literary components that literature allows this to be possible. Despite the very different plot settings in each of the works studied, specifically, Fifteen Dogs, “Trifles,” and “A Hunger Artist” there is a common theme of empathizing and the discovery of what it means to truly be human in each text. Alexis focusing mainly on strong relationships and love shared that gives one purpose, and allows them to be human. Glaspell focuses on the oppression of women and the way in which they courageously empower and support one another due to the empathy they feel. Kafka illustrates the idea of being authentic and how one’s purpose may only be understood within themselves. Not only do we communicate through fiction, it is through this fiction that one is provided with a deepened understanding on empathy and awareness, which is truly the basis of what it means to be human.

Castro-Telechea 6 Works Cited Alexis, Andre. "Fifteen Dogs". Deslibris.ca.ezproxy.macewan.ca. N.p., 2017. Web. 2 Apr. 2017. Stueber, Karsten R. Rediscovering Empathy. 1st ed. Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press, 2010. Print. Glaspell Susan. "Trifles". The Bedford Anthology of American Literature, Volume II: 1865Present.1916.Web.http://www.english.unt.edu/~simpkins/Trifles.pdf April 3rd, 2017.

Mael, Phyllis. "Trifles: The Path To Sisterhood". Content.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.macewan.ca. N.p., 2017. Web. 2 Apr. 2017.

Kafka, Franz. "A Hunger Artist - By Franz Kafka | ZWYX.Org". Zwyx.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 2 Apr. 2017. Rowan, John. "Existentialism And The Dialogical Self". Content.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.macewan.ca. N.p., 2017. Web. 3 Apr. 2017....