Literary Fiction and Empathy

It is not surprising that studies have shown that reading fiction increases empathy.  When you read fiction you are stepping inside someone else's shoes and viewing things from their perspective.  This is one of the few times as human beings we are not concerned with ourselves and genuinely are preoccupied with the experiences of someone else.  So when we perform this type of thinking when we are reading, there is a lasting effect on our social lives.We are suddenly capable of sympathizing with others and more tolerant of mistakes.  This is a direct result of our mindset shift while reading literary fiction. While reading Hamlet,  we are presented with his thoughts through soliloquy.  Since we are not characters in the play, there is no reason for use to be preoccupied with ourselves and thus are very receptive to the feelings expressed by Hamlet.  After this initial receptiveness we are enlightened with the perspective of others and are now more capable of understanding the motives and emotions of others, just from reading!  Our paradigm is shifted away from ourselves and towards others.  The more time spent in other's paradigms, the more empathetic we will be.