Empathy

an Element of Fiction

“We care how things turn out because the character cares — our interest comes from empathy.” John Gardner

“We empathize — it’s our chief way of learning. And the more complex the pattern of ideational connections — that is, the more fully we understand the scene adding up the facts, metaphors, and rhythms — the more completely we slip, unwittingly, into it, pitying, smiling at, or despising the crate…