Most literary critics agree that fiction cannot be reduced to mere falsehood. Well-crafted protagonists come to life, pornography causes orgasms, and the pretense that life is what we want it to be may conceivably bring about the desired condition. Hence religious parables, socialist realism, Nazi propaganda. And if this story likewise crawls with reactionary supernaturalism, that might be because its author longs to see letters scuttling across ceilings, cautiously beginning to reify themselves into angels. For if they could only do that, then why not us?
Many literary critics share the view that fiction serves a purpose beyond simply presenting falsehoods. Well-developed characters can evoke real emotions, and certain narratives can even influence our physical experiences. This intertwining of belief and representation can lead to ideals and aspirations being manifested in various forms, whether through religious tales, artistic movements, or propaganda. The essence is that the stories we engage with can shape our perception of reality.
In this context, the text suggests that reactionary themes may arise from an author's desires for transcendence and transformation. The idea of letters transforming into angels serves as a metaphor for the potential realization of human aspirations. If objects in a story can achieve such ethereal transformation, it raises the question of whether humans, too, are capable of attaining greater heights and understanding, blurring the lines between imagination and reality.
