* Creating empathy and connection: Pity, unlike hate, fosters empathy in the reader. When we pity a character, we understand their struggles, vulnerabilities, and pain. This connection makes the story more personal and emotionally resonant, making us more invested in their fate. Hate, on the other hand, can create distance and disengagement.
* Exploring the complexities of human nature: Characters who elicit pity are often flawed, making poor choices, or facing insurmountable odds. This allows the author to explore the nuances of the human condition, demonstrating that even those who make mistakes or are victims of circumstance deserve compassion. Pure hate often simplifies characters into one-dimensional villains.
* Driving narrative tension and emotional arc: A character's suffering can create dramatic tension and propel the narrative forward. We want to see them overcome their hardships, learn from their mistakes, or find solace. This creates a compelling emotional arc that keeps the reader engaged.
* Achieving catharsis: Witnessing a character overcome adversity or find peace, even if it's a bittersweet resolution, can provide a sense of catharsis for both the character and the reader. This emotional release is much harder to achieve with purely hateful characters.
* Moral ambiguity: Pity allows authors to explore moral ambiguity. A character might have committed terrible acts, but their backstory or circumstances might evoke pity, prompting the reader to question simple judgments of good and evil.
* Subverting expectations: A skilled author can subvert expectations by making us pity a character we initially disliked, forcing us to confront our own prejudices and biases.
* Raising important social issues: Pity can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about social issues such as poverty, injustice, or mental illness. By showcasing the suffering of a marginalized character, authors can encourage empathy and promote social change.
In short, pity is a more effective tool than hate for creating complex, relatable, and ultimately more memorable characters who drive compelling narratives and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Hate might be used selectively, but it’s usually deployed in conjunction with other emotions, often in service of ultimately eliciting pity or understanding.