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
genre. Works like J.R.R. 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 Comic-Con, 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 analyzing its role in peoples
actions, validity of mediums of fiction as sources of education can be determined.
That being said, 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 and honing skills that
are not often easily taught in formal settings.
Fan Identification
Fiction exists as a great influence on how a fan perceives themselves and those around
them. Both the subconscious and physical groupings that fans put themselves in create ways in
which they can identify with others of similar interests and, furthermore, the world around them.

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Fan identity and identification with fictional scenarios and characters fosters identity fluidity and
acceptance among fans.
Studies and observational analyses show conflicting views on the role of fiction and
fictional characters in consumer identity, but the general consensus of fictions influence on fan
culture and identity remains primarily positive. Specifically, cosplay, in which fans dress as
certain characters and act as them, reveals insight into a fans interpretation of fiction. As
explained through Judith Butlers theory of performativity, identity particularly gender identityis formed through certain repeated actions and discourses. Nicolle Lamerichs comments that
Butlers interpretation implies that identitiesare malleable and can be subverted. Lamerichs
puts special emphasis on performativity in the context of those who consciously dress as a
character of the opposite gender. Crossplay, as she calls it, increases fluidity between genders
and gender norms, resulting in a level of laxness in gender roles (Lamerichs 2011). When a
person crossplays, it can be seen as perfectly acceptable for males to don dresses and skirts, and
females to wear suits and ties.
In cases of fans identifying with a character, fictional identification results in a flexible,
multilayered idea of identitythat cannot be pinned down (Lamerichs 2011). It is important to
note that fixation upon gender in fiction can lead to stereotypes that work against positive fan
identity. While some cosplayers crossplay, others purposefully create a costume that depicts the
character as if they were the opposite gender (alternatively known as genderbending). Although
this is often done out of convenience for the fan, people who are transgender, agender, or gender
neutral, have sometimes seen it as perpetuating gender stereotypes by purposefully giving a
character traditionally feminine or masculine qualities. Therefore, genderbended character
become offensive to those who see them as a representation of traditional gender roles. That

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being said, as with every source of social and cultural influence, interpretation and action
remains heavily reliant on the individual. Fights and conflicts that occur between members of a
fan group most commonly happen because of a mixture of ingroup/outgroup bias and a lack of
respect for the other party. For the most part, fans who maintain a level of respect for each other
find themselves being brought together in positive ways that encourage acceptance of multiple
facets of identity, such as 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, a potential danger is that identification with media characters can have
significant social and psychological consequences. For example, a fan can develop disordered
eating habits in an effort to physically align with a character, or exhibit increased violent
behavior by modeling certain actions or attitudes (Hoffner 2005). These consequences, however,
often depend more heavily on visual media, which presents a concrete model to base oneself on.
Written forms of fiction like novels are more open to reader interpretation of character designs,
allowing readers greater freedom to shape the described characters in terms of physical
appearance.
Despite the possible dangers of identification with a fictional character, when relatable
and representative characters are portrayed in fiction, they can promote acceptance within their
audience. Voice actor Troy Baker, upon being asked about his role as Kanji Tatsumi a young
male teenager who is teased about his effeminate qualities and (hinted) sexual orientationconfessed to having fans tell him that what [his] character didgave [them]the strength to

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come out and finally admit that [theyre] a homosexual (Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts
Union 2012). Similarly, the television show Glee, which features a diverse cast including various
races, genders, homosexuals and transgendered persons, presents both good morals and
representation to its audience, which may include people undertaking similar experiences.
Despite the potential dangers that are often cited when modeling a character too closely, fans are
primarily positively affected by their identification with new and evolving forms of fiction and
its characters.
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
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

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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).
Similarly in modern activism, various scholars have cited fiction and popular culture as
resources around which young people come together and are mobilized to social action
(Kliger-Vilenchik, McVeigh-Schultz, Weitbrecht, and Tokuhama 2012). By taking advantage of
the group camaraderie and motivation, efforts can be devoted to a higher cause. A prime example
of fan activism directed to a related subject is the Harry Potter Alliance (HPA), which was
founded by Andrew Slack in 2005. The HPA uses parallels between the fictional content world
and the real one as an impetus for civic action. Some of its causes have included literacy,
equality, and human rights (Kliger-Vilenchik, McVeigh-Schultz, Weitbrecht, and Tokuhama
2012). Fan groups are powerful forces, as exemplified in the efforts some fans go through to
prevent their favorite television shows from being canceled. By building on the preexisting
shared identity of its members, activist groups can translates their efforts to fight for universal
issues (Kliger-Vilenchik, McVeigh-Schultz, Weitbrecht, and Tokuhama 2012). They gain the
ability to create new communities from existing ones. Because of the widespread popularity of
fiction and its mediums, the range of which fiction can be used to influence society is a part of
what makes fan activism so effective. Activists, traditional or modern, are able to use universal
fiction in a multitude of mediums to spread universal messages to people.
Education and Skill Development

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Educating people seems to become a harder and harder task as society progresses.
Teaching social values becomes especially hard due to the diversity and multitude of societal and
cultural norms that influence a persons thought process. At least at the basic level, theres much
hope that certain mediums of fiction -comic books, for example- will encourage others to learn a
multitude of skills, including reading comprehension. Fiction envelops almost all forms of media
and popular culture for society, creating a powerful source of implicit education for people
especially todays youth.
The greatest power of fiction lies in how stories of physical and metaphorical adventures
enrapture readers in their plots. The average citizen may not be able to sit down and read a
scholarly dissertation on the decline and propagation of the Apis Mellifera population, but short
story or comic depicting the efforts of a young boy attempting to save the dwindling number of
Honeybees could easily be consumed in moments. With comic books and other visual forms of
fiction, such as movies, picture books, and television shows, the readers interest in the storyline
of the medium can be used at an educational advantage.
Stan Lee, founder of MARVEL Comics, discussed in an interview that teachers have
often 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). The desire to understand the plotline of a
story featuring a superhero or adventure character spurs them to learn the words that are written
on the page. While simple narratives of this is [X], see him run are added to books designed to
teach young children to read, it stands to reason that a more effective option would be to
introduce budding readers to something that would keep their attention and make them interested
in learning to understand the sentences in front of them. Once readers have a solid grasp on

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language, writing narratives can also aid them in mastering that language in the same way.
Constant attempts at improving ones storytelling ability develops these skills further.
Other applications include remembering important historical and cultural events. James
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). Students often learn history by dates and events, but the emotional context of
the people becomes lost in exchange. By weaving knowledge into the narrative format (for
example, placing a character into the events and telling of their experiences) historical fiction can
become a powerful tool in teaching the significance of certain events, rather than looking at
history from a distant perspective. Like in activism, presenting relatable examples makes a
message more accessible, leading to students learning social significance as well.
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). Unlike nonfiction, which is
meant to be persuasive, fiction 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, it was concluded 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.
Voice actors Troy Baker and Laura Bailey describe the spread of empathy through
mediums of fiction as the opportunity to be a part of something that isnt just entertainment

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(Darell and Lauren 2012). When discussing some of their experiences with the fictional
narratives that theyve worked with, the two were humbled by the reception their work received.
Bailey recounted a young girl with Aspergers Syndrome who told her that watching Fruits
Basket [a Japanese anime series] helped her identify her emotions better (Final Fantasy and
Kingdom Hearts Union 2012). Seeing a visual narrative, even though that narrative is fictitious,
helps those who may have trouble understanding and coping with real life situations gain some
sense of reference that increases their ability to empathize and take action. Baker expanded upon
this concept, commenting that video games as a narrative, not just as an entertainment medium,
but actually as somethingmore profound than that provided powerful and valuable
experiences to fans because [theyre] observing those things but [theyre] also part of it (Final
Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts Union 2012). Personal involvement and attachment to fiction and
its themes presents easily understandable and universal concepts that raise a persons empathy.
By studying and analyzing fiction and its values, the audience implicitly learns social norms and
emotional constructs, leading to a moral development.
Fans can also learn valuable skills through creation of products inspired by the fiction
they read. Fan works such as fan fiction, fan moviesfan art, and cosplay are described as
encouraging fans to closely interpret existing texts, perform them, and extend them with their
own narratives and ideas (Lamerichs 2011). Fan works, therefore, become mediums of critical
thinking and creativity. For all that they imitate the original source, creators of fan works often
use vital critical thinking and problem solving skills without even realize it. Creating crafts such
as a favorite characters costume or weapon, can also indirectly help develop skills of sewing or
molding materials. Book clubs and other discussions featured on forums can vary in quality, but

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fans often capitulate their own theories and scenarios based off of evidence from the text, subtly
modeling the analysis process used by literary critics albeit possibly on a shallower level.
Fan fiction, despite being often regarded as a lower form of literature of varying quality
and bordering on copyright and plagiarism issues, does have undeniable merits. It can lead to the
creation of meticulously planned and ironically original plots or twist of a familiar medium
(often in the form of AUs alternate universe stories). On the amateur level, fan fiction is often
used to develop writing and language skills and gain feedback from the public. The longest work
of fan fiction, The Subspace Emissarys Worlds Conquest, is over 4,024,000 words long and 220
chapters. Its author, known as AuraChannelerChris to the users of Fanfiction.net, began the story
in order to improve his English (Grudziecki 2013). Likewise, professional authors also use fan
fiction as a way to develop themselves. Sarah Rees Brennan, author of the Demons Lexicon
series, began as a fan fiction writer under the pseudonym Maya. She was later able to evolve
her writing into publishable material.
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
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.

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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.

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