1. Authors are human beings: Authors are products of their own time, culture, and personal experiences. These factors inevitably shape their worldview and influence the stories they tell.
2. Characters are reflections of these beliefs: Characters in fiction, even fictional ones, are often imbued with the author's own beliefs, biases, and assumptions about the world. These can be expressed through:
* Dialogue: What characters say and how they say it reveals their perspectives.
* Actions: Characters' choices and behaviors are informed by their underlying beliefs.
* Internal monologues: The thoughts and feelings of characters provide a window into their assumptions and values.
3. The world of the story is built upon these foundations: The setting, plot, and themes of a story are all influenced by the author's underlying beliefs and perspectives. For example, a story set in a patriarchal society might reflect the author's own assumptions about gender roles.
4. Stories are designed to provoke thought: Fiction often explores complex themes and ideas that challenge readers to think critically and question their own beliefs. The author's perspectives act as a starting point for this exploration.
5. No author is truly objective: Even with the most well-intentioned author, complete objectivity is impossible. The act of storytelling itself involves choices and interpretations that reveal the author's own biases.
In short, recognizing the beliefs, perspectives, and assumptions present in a work of fiction helps us better understand the story, its characters, and the author's intent. It also encourages us to think critically about the world around us and our own beliefs.