What role does 'pity' play in literature?

Pity plays a crucial role in literature by engaging the reader through strong emotion. It enables readers to connect deeply with characters and their struggles, fostering empathy and understanding of their situations. When a story evokes pity, it often highlights the vulnerability of characters, their suffering, or their unjust circumstances, making their experiences more relatable and impactful for the reader. This emotional engagement encourages readers to invest in the narrative, caring about the outcomes and moral implications of the characters' journeys.

While enhancing the plot through conflict can be significant in storytelling, the primary function of pity is more about emotional resonance than plot mechanics. Similarly, while visual representation of characters and describing the physical setting contribute to a story's richness, these elements do not capture the emotional depth that pity provides. Ultimately, invoking pity allows literature to explore complex human emotions and moral dilemmas, prompting readers to reflect on their own feelings and the nature of compassion.