Hello everyone! Today we’re going to talk about something really important, something that makes us human: Sympathy. You’ve probably felt it many times, but do you know what it is? And how it shows up in stories? Let’s find out!
What is Sympathy? (The Quick Explanation)
Sympathy is feeling sorrow or concern for someone else who is experiencing something difficult. It’s like saying, “Oh no! That sounds awful! I feel bad for you.” It’s understanding that someone is hurting and feeling pity or compassion toward them.
Let’s look at some quick examples:
- Your friend falls and scrapes their knee. You say, “Oh, that looks painful! I’m so sorry!” – That’s sympathy.
- You hear about someone losing their pet. You say, “I’m really sad to hear that. Losing a pet is heartbreaking.” – That’s sympathy.
- A character in a story is very sad because their family is moving away. You feel sad for them.
Digging Deeper: Sympathy vs. Empathy (And Why It Matters)
People often mix up sympathy and empathy, but they’re different! Sympathy is feeling for someone. Empathy is feeling with someone. Imagine a friend is sad because it’s raining on their birthday.
- Sympathy: “Oh, that’s terrible! I feel bad that your birthday is ruined.” (You acknowledge their sadness but don’t necessarily share the feeling.)
- Empathy: “Oh no! That is disappointing! I remember when it rained on my birthday and how bummed I was.” (You remember a similar feeling and connect with their sadness.)
While both are good, understanding the difference helps us understand stories and characters better. Sympathy often focuses on feeling sorry for someone. Empathy involves sharing their feelings.
How Sympathy Works in Stories: Recognizing the Signs
Authors use lots of clues to help us feel sympathy for characters. Here are some common things to look for:
- Sad Circumstances: Characters facing hardship – illness, loss, loneliness, injustice – immediately draw our sympathy.
- Vulnerability: Characters who are weak, helpless, or dependent often evoke sympathy. Think of a lost child or an injured animal.
- Inner Thoughts & Feelings: When authors show us what a character is thinking and feeling, it’s easier to feel sympathetic. We understand their pain.
- Descriptive Language: Words like “sorrowful,” “heartbroken,” “desolate,” and “lonely” signal that a character is suffering.
- Actions of Others: The way other characters treat someone can spark sympathy. If a character is being bullied or mistreated, we’ll likely feel bad for them.
Let’s look at some examples in stories:
- Example 1: The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
This story is designed to make you feel sympathy. A poor little girl is trying to sell matches on a freezing cold New Year’s Eve. No one buys them, and she’s cold and hungry. The author describes her suffering in detail – her bare feet, her chapped hands, her shivering body. We feel sympathy because of her vulnerable situation and the injustice of her poverty. We aren’t asked to understand her situation, merely feel for her.
- Example 2: Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
This story features a boy and his beloved dog. As the story progresses, Old Yeller gets sick with rabies. The author details the boy’s heartbreak and helplessness as he watches his friend suffer. The boy’s love for the dog and the tragic circumstances of the illness create a strong sense of sympathy in the reader. We feel bad for the boy and for the dog. The story purposefully emphasizes the boy’s powerlessness to change the situation, increasing sympathy.
- Example 3: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – Boo Radley
Boo Radley is a reclusive character who is misunderstood and feared by the townspeople. As the story unfolds, we learn about his difficult childhood and the reasons for his isolation. The author shows us his perspective and reveals his kindness and vulnerability. While we don’t necessarily understand why he lives the way he does, we feel sympathy for his loneliness and the way he’s been treated. The author focuses on the injustice of the townspeople’s judgment, triggering sympathy.
- Example 4: A scene from a fictional story
“Old Man Tiber, the clockmaker, sat alone in his shop, the ticking of countless clocks the only sound. His hands, once steady and skilled, now trembled as he tried to repair a delicate music box. His wife had passed away a year ago, and the shop, once filled with laughter, felt empty. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he wound the key, the gentle melody a painful reminder of happier times.”
In this short passage, the author uses details like Old Man Tiber’s trembling hands, the emptiness of the shop, and the painful melody to create a sense of sympathy for him. We feel bad for his loss and loneliness.
Sympathy & Character Development: How It’s Used by Authors
Authors don’t just use sympathy to make us feel bad. They use it to shape characters and drive the story forward.
- Motivating Actions: A character might act in a certain way because they feel sympathy for someone else.
- Creating Conflict: A lack of sympathy can create conflict between characters.
- Showing Growth: A character might learn to feel sympathy, demonstrating their emotional growth.
- Building Relationships: sympathy can be the foundation of a strong bond between characters.
Example: In a story, a grumpy old man might initially ignore a homeless person. However, after learning about the person’s life story, he might develop sympathy and offer help. This change in his character shows his growth and makes him more relatable.
Important Note: sympathy isn’t always positive. Sometimes, authors might show how excessive or misplaced sympathy can be harmful.
Beyond the Basics: Recognizing Nuance
Sometimes, sympathy can be complicated. An author might want us to feel sympathy for a character despite their flaws or mistakes. This creates a more complex and realistic portrayal of human nature.
Example: A character might commit a wrong act but do so out of desperation or to protect someone they love. While we might not approve of their actions, we might still feel sympathy for their difficult situation.
In conclusion, sympathy is a powerful emotion that connects us to others. It’s a key element in storytelling, helping us to understand characters, feel invested in their journeys, and explore the complexities of the human experience. By recognizing the clues authors use to evoke sympathy, we can become more engaged and insightful readers.