In Azar Nafisi's "Reading Lolita in Tehran," imagination is closely linked to empathy, suggesting that while we can't fully experience others' lives, literature allows us to comprehend even the most complex characters. A well-crafted novel provides a platform for diverse voices, portraying individuals with nuance and depth. This democratic quality of storytelling invites readers to engage with different perspectives and emotions.

Nafisi emphasizes that true empathy is essential in literature; the inability to recognize and understand the struggles of others is seen as a significant moral failing. By fostering awareness of others' hardships, novels instill a sense of responsibility towards our fellow beings, highlighting that ignoring others’ pain effectively invalidates their existence.