Literary Fiction and Empathy

A study was done and discussed in this article explaining how children/young adults were given fictional novels to read that intentionally pulled emotion out of them reading. Basically, the conclusion was that the readers gained a sense of understanding other people's thoughts and feelings by use of their body language. The kids were given a test that displayed several pictures of eyes captivating a different emotion. for example, does a squinting eye show focus or indecisiveness? The test scores proved the study to be a success as the kids had a better understanding of emotion. 

This is difficult and critical social skill that we now have a way of letting people gain all through the use of reading! 

Although, there are some grey areas. One critic argued that the books assigned were limited and aimed towards what they wanted as a conclusion, not aimed towards the test itself. Another point on the opposition was that the kids somehow took the test inaccurately. Also some raged the test itself wasn't enough valid proof that the students did change their understanding of evaluating emotion. One question that did make me think differently about it was how long would there understanding last? The test was given shortly after reading. Would the affect wear off or last long term? 

"The idea that what we read might influence our social and emotional skills is not new. Previous studies have correlated various types of reading with empathy and sensitivity." 

I think the test is accurate, regardless of the arguments presented. Whether it lasts or not, the purpose still took affect and worked. Reading can enhance our ability to understand/evaluate emotion from the text to reality- that's a powerful thing. 

Now taking that one step further and comparing it to Skakespear's play, Hamlet, there are some key similarities. Hamlet has been acted out in a wide range of different personas. During his soliloquy, his personality has been portrayed as cowardly while crying during the speech and dropping to his knees collapsing on himself in woe. While another version shows him almost yelling the words in anger and embarrassment for his parents actions slamming things near by. Hamlet serves as the prime example of the study done about emotion. Hamlet's personality, no matter what version,  is lived out through body language. Once again, this is a critical social skill, that has derived from literature on paper and enhanced to real life into society.