There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a fictional world. A world that we have no personal stakes in — besides getting attached to characters — and can come and go as we please sounds like a perfect way to escape our daily lives. But fictional worlds do so much more than provide a means to escape — they can make life better, they can change our perspective on things, and so much more.
They’re a Form of Escapism
We all need to escape reality sometimes. Whether something serious is going on in life, or we just need a short break, books offer a way to forget about our struggles and cares for a few hours. From literary fiction to sci-fi to fantasy, whatever genre you prefer, it doesn’t matter. Enjoying a fictional world is an important necessity for us bookish people.
Losing ourselves in a fictional world’s problems is the best way to leave our own behind for a time. The drama of other characters, the trials and tribulations they have to face, sometimes make our own problems seem so small.
They Serve as Parallels to Reality
Even fiction has roots on reality. We can often see our problems reflected back to us in a different setting, whether it’s a way to bring attention to certain problems, overcome them, or just make us feel seen. They can also serve as ways to inspire us, to feel better about our lives or to be calls to action. Basically, these worlds mean something to us, and they touch something in our hearts.
On the flip side, they sometimes show what life and society could be like if something was different. What if women were in charge? What if everyone had magic, or a superpower? What if aliens were real? The possibilities are endless, and the parallels to our real lives give us something interesting to ponder on and, if we’re so inclined, expand on in fanfiction.
Fictional Worlds Challenge Our Imaginations
The saying that there are no true original ideas anymore is pretty accurate. However, that doesn’t matter; it’s how the ideas are used that make them original. There are a million stories about vampires, but each of them are a little different. That makes them all original, in their own way.
Some stories are so imaginative and expansive that they can test the limits of what we can imagine. Take The Lord of the Rings for example; it’s considered one of the greatest fantasy works of all time, and the imagination it took to write it and all the accompanying lore is impressive. It serves as inspiration to many writers and readers, who try to stretch their imaginations and see what they can come up with.
We Can Find Acceptance Within Them
As sad as it is, the real world doesn’t accept a lot of people. Systemic issues, such as racism and sexism, are large reasons, but some people feel unloved and unwanted by those close to them, and they feel left out. We see a lot of both examples in fictional worlds too, but oftentimes, these characters overcome them and/or find acceptance.
This is one reason the found-family trope is so popular, where those who are outcasts for one reason or another find each other and become the love and support they needed. Sometimes, they can change their worlds, and we can see them become more accepting, or see other characters change.
We Can Build Connections with Others
One of the biggest aspects of being in a fandom is the social part. Interacting with other fans, whether it’s in person or over social media, fictional worlds connect us to people around the world. Even if we don’t speak the same language, we can still appreciate the work together.
So many of us have made friends this way, myself included. The connection made through a shared interest is a bond that’s hard to break. There’s nothing like discussing the work, including the world, characters, plot, etc., and being equally excited about it.
Fictional worlds have so much power, and life is all the better for them. Have fun on your next adventure!
Click here for an article on fictional worlds the Bookstr team would love to be in.
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