What's the Fun in Literature?

Reading Jane Austen has changed my life entirely (thanks, Dr. Reed). Up until last semester, the only well-known works of literature that I had been introduced to were The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Catcher in the Rye. Make no mistake, these novels are wonderful, and contain important life lessons and memorable moments, however, literature does not always have to be so serious. Matter of fact, that is why I enjoy Austen so much, because rarely is she serious, if ever. I mean, reading is a way to escape our everyday lives, right? Anyone can read and enjoy Austen, but we all know that she was a humorous feminist who wrote bildungsroman stories for women to relate to on a personal level. 

I suppose that the true purpose of my "I love Jane Austen" rant is that literature can often seem intimidating, but it can also be enjoyable and comic. Fictional stories are one of three literature genres, which is the one I often find myself drawn to. Using literature as a form of escapism is great and all, but it is not the only benefit. Literature has a sneaky way of making us think about subjects and people more intensely, and from different points of view. Self-reflection and empathy are often a result of looking through the eyes of someone else. Just imagine living in a world in which people have more empathy and a general understanding of those who may be different than them. There is a power in literature that I believe not many individuals can fathom. As Sir Francis Bacon once said (a very, very long time ago,  "knowledge is power".