Fiction and Society 1

The Influence of Fiction on Society and Culture

Sarah G. Chu
Glen Allen High School

Fiction and Society 2

Introduction
As modern society evolves, so does, it seems, its devotion to the fictional and fantastical.
Works like Tolkiens Lord of the Rings and series such as Star Wars and Star Trek have defined
generations with their comprehensive worlds and characters. As of 2013, the San Diego ComicCon, a national convention held for fans of comic books and other related mediums, had more
than 130,000 people attend. J.K Rowlings Harry Potter Series has had more than 450 million
books in print worldwide. Of that, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows alone sold 11 million
copies on its first day of release in the United States and UK. Even websites such as
Fanfiction.net entirely devote themselves to fan-written literature, containing more than 3
million works based off of existing mediums. Education likewise acknowledges the role of
fiction in conveying universal themes and social commentary to the masses in an understandable
medium. The question, then, lies in how closely the two fiction, and society- interact and
influence each other. By understanding fictions role in society and whether it truly has power
over people actions, decisions can be made of whether mediums of fiction are valid sources of
education.
Fan Identity as Related to a Fictional Character
Studies and observational analyses show slightly conflicting views on the role of fiction
and fictional characters in consumer identity, but the general outlook of fictions influence on fan
culture and identity remains mostly positive. Fan works like fan fiction, fan moviesfan art,
and cosplay the activity of dressing as a certain character and possibly role-playing as themare described as encouraging fans to closely interpret existing texts, perform them, and extend
them with their own narratives and ideas (Lamerichs 2011). Judith Butlers theory of
performativity closely relates to identity shaped by fan modeling of a character by suggesting

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that identities, especially gender identities, are malleable and can be subverted. While Butler,
in the context of heteronormavity and drag, denounces this, Lamerichs applies performativity to
those who consciously dress as a character of the opposite gender. Crossplay, as she calls it,
actually increases fluidity between genders and gender norms, resulting in a level of laxness in
gender roles. In cases of fans identifying with a character, regardless of gender, fictional
identification results in a flexible, multilayered idea of identitythat cannot be pinned down
(Lamerichs 2011). It is important, however, to note that emphasis upon gender in fiction can lead
to stereotypes that work against positive fan identity.
Expanding upon fan identity and fictional characters, wishful identification describes
the process in which the desire to be like or act like a character shapes consumers identity and
behavior (Hoffner 2005). Perceived similarity between character and consumer causes the
watcher to shape their values according to the character they admire or identify with. While this
can instill positive values, the more likely danger is that identification with media characters can
had significant social and psychological consequences, such as disordered eating habits in an
effort to physically align with a character (Hoffner 2005), or increased violent behavior. Most of
these consequences, however, depend heavily on visual media, leaving novels more open
mediums.
Fictions Role in Activism
Activism draws upon current and relevant issues within the community, and seeks to gain
as much support as it can in order to evoke change. For that reason, fiction and literature have
shown to be invaluable in spreading common goals and values. Some of the most prominent
examples of fictional activism include Harriet Beecher Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin and Upton
Sinclairs The Jungle, which produced such strong shock among readers that it led to changes

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in attitude and legislation regarding the issues discussed (Hamid and Prose 2015). It is implied
that fiction narratives have the power to offer another view about what can be considered
universal issues, and for that they increase peoples empathy and raise the chance of political
activism.
A phenomena occurring more recently within society the use of well-known media and
pop culture to channel a distinct theme and message and apply them to real life situations. This
type of activism has been growing more and more popular and diverse, most likely because it
employs a medium that everyone is familiar with and can relate to. Whats even more interesting
is the media attention that it propagates. Protesters in Bilin, Palestine, dressed as the Navi from
James Camerons Avatar and approached an Israeli military barricade (Brough and Shresthova
2012). Because of the familiar medium that was used in the activism, pictures and videos of the
protest caught the attention of news media outlets. The Chair of Popular Committee of Bilin,
Iyad Burnat, said in regards to the use of popular media and fiction in protests: most people in
the world know about Avatar, and it is similar to the Palestinian situation, and gives a message to
the people (Kerr 2014).
Educating Youth (Among Others)
Educating people, youth especially, seems to be becoming a harder and harder task.
Educating social values well, good luck with that. At least at the basic level, theres much hope
that certain mediums of fiction, comic books, for example, will encourage youth to learn more
about certain subjects. Stan Lee, in an interview, discussed that teachers have told him that
reading comic books is one of the best ways to teach literacy to young children because it
appeals to them (Mariam 2014).

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In the context of modern information and education, Jame Prothero compares fiction and
science fiction to mythology. The tendency of schools is to approach knowledge solely through
reason: to teach just the facts, not the meaningful context (Prothero 1990). For example,
students often learn history by dates and events, but the emotional context of the people becomes
lost in exchange.
Implicitly, then, fiction serves as an effective way to teach values and social norms to
youth and society as a whole. Johnathan Gottschall reasons that fiction seems to be more
effective at changing beliefs than nonfiction (Gottschall 2012). Fiction, rather than nonfiction
-which is meant to be persuasive- appeals to emotions. It enhances our ability to understand
other people, promotes a deep morality, and (interestingly enough), it tells readers the lie
that the world is more just than it actually is, which promotes a certain sense of optimism in
life (Gottschall 2012). In a study conducted by Mar and Keith Oatley, they came to the
conclusion that entering fictions simulated social worlds enhance [peoples] ability to connect
with actual human beings (Gottschall 2012). For that reason, empathy is repeatedly cited as one
of the most influential aspects that fiction can teach others.

Conclusion
The resulting consensus among the literature community is that fiction is wildly powerful
in its effect on society and its cultural values. That being said, the main debate lies in whether
this effect is positive or negative, and whether fiction should be seen as a legitimate source of
education. Studies show that cultural identity is determined in part by the popular media, and that
the appearance of new social norms, such as homosexuality, in television and literature positively

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increase peoples perception. Furthermore, fan identity can be greatly influenced by the
identification of a character to their person. Popular media can also be used by activists to spread
attention to their cause.
Because of the increase of empathy in people who consume fiction as opposed to almost
any other medium of communication, it can be surmised that reading fiction can be used to
educate people socially in positive ways. Fiction influences society by presenting universal
mediums of empathy and morality. It can be used to empower others, as well as become a source
of inspiration and idealism. Through fiction, people find themselves learning implicit values that
can often not be taught in formal settings.
References
Brough, Melissa M., Shresthova, S. (2012). "Fandom Meets Activism: Rethinking Civic and
Political Participation." In "Transformative Works and Fan Activism," edited by Henry
Jenkins and Sangita Shresthova, special issue, Transformative Works and Cultures, no.
10. Retrieved from
http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/303/265
Gottschall, J. (2012, April 29). Why Fiction is Good for You: the beautiful lies of novels, movies,
and TV stories have surprisingly powerful effects and may even help make society tick.
Retrieved from http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2012/04/28/why-fiction-good-foryou-how-fiction-changes-your-world/nubDy1P3viDj2PuwGwb3KO/story.html
Hamid, M., Prose, F., (2015, February 17). Does Fiction Have the Power to Sway Politics?
Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/books/review/does-fiction-have-thepower-to-sway-politics.html?_r=1

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Hoffner, C., Buchanan, M. (2005). Young Adults Wishful Identification with Television
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dentification_with_television_characters_the_role_of_perceived_similarity_and_characte
r_attributes.pdf
Kerr, D. (2014, June 17). Our goal is to have our freedom: Interview with Iyad Burnat on
popular resistance in Bilin. Retrieved from http://mondoweiss.net/2014/06/freedominterview-resistance
Lamerichs, N. 2011. Stranger than Fiction: Fan Identity in Cosplay. Retrieved from
http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/246/230
Mariam, P. (2014, May 19). An Interview with Stan Lee: The legendary comic book writer
discusses the role of comic books in childrens literacy and what secret super powers he
possesses. Retrieved from http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2014/05/19/an-interviewwith-stan-lee/
Prothero, J. (1990, March). Fantasy, Science Fiction, and the Teaching of Values. The English
Journal, Vol. 79, No. 3, pg. 32-34. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/819231