The word illuminate is defined by Merriam-Webster as “to make clear” or “elucidate.” So how does fictional stories help illuminate realty to us?
Since the beginning of time, stories have been a part of human life. There are stories everywhere around us. We make stories out of facts, people, places, beliefs, etc. Stories are some of the oldest and important part of our life, and thus, they are of great value to us.
Stories are mirrors of our reality. It is a reflection of our world, of human life in action. They are the “pre-models of existence,” according to Sonia Carmona. With stories, we are able to perceive the values, experiences, history, and knowledge around us; and this helps us make sense of the world. We instinctively make sense of the world through stories. With stories, we are able to view, interpret, and understand our world.
Real life can be complicated and harsh, but we are able to see it in a “safe place” through stories. We get to observe the struggles of life at a safe distance. With stories, we can step out of our reality, see it with fresh eyes, and, hopefully, gain a new perspective.
Stories help us to make sense complex life situations and to understand the emotions that goes with these human experiences. A novel can capture more than we are able, or ready, to look in our life. It can illuminate and give meaning of our lives and relationships. It has a way of illuminating life’s important lessons to us, helping us understand things that may be difficult for us to process at one time.
We need stories. Here are the reasons why stories are important in our lives:
(Kathy Hurst, Paths to Literacy) Be it fairy tales or mystery stories, stories can have a powerful effect on our lives. It has a way of impacting our perception toward life, and thus, it has the power to shape our reality.
Sources:
Basso, Francesca Lo. “How Reading Fiction Can Shape Our Lives.” Last modified September 21, 2021. “https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_reading_fiction_can_shape_our_real_lives.
Hurst, Kathy. “The Importance of Storytelling and story Creation.” Accessed January 7, 2024. https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/playing-words-why-it-important-importance-storytelling-and-story-creation/.
Rose, Macala. “The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Your Mind Needs the Narratives It Creates.” Last modified August 23, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stories-we-tell-ourselves-your-mind-needs-narratives-creates-rose.
Vrana, A. J. “How Fantasy Helps Us with reality.” Accessed January 6, 2024. https://thechaoscycle.com/how-fantasy-helps-us-with-reality/.
