In Azar Nafisi's "Reading Lolita in Tehran," the author asserts that a truly great novel captures the intricacies of human nature and grants each character a voice, fostering a sense of democracy within the narrative. This democratic quality does not advocate for a political system but instead represents the fundamental nature of storytelling. A well-crafted novel allows for diverse perspectives, reflecting the complexity of individuals in society.

Nafisi emphasizes the importance of empathy in literature, particularly in "The Great Gatsby," highlighting that the inability to recognize others' struggles is a significant moral failure. The essence of a powerful story lies in its capacity to remind us that acknowledging the problems of others is crucial to understanding the human experience. Thus, literature has the potential to educate and connect us through shared emotions and awareness.