Other people's sorrows and joys have a way of reminding us of our own; we partly empathize with them because we ask ourselves: What about me? What does that say about my life, my pains, my anguish?
In her memoir "Reading Lolita in Tehran," Azar Nafisi reflects on the profound connection between individual emotions and collective experiences. She highlights how witnessing the struggles and triumphs of others often prompts us to introspect about our own lives. This empathy isn't just about feeling for others; it also leads us to question our own circumstances, pains, and joys.
Nafisi suggests that the act of engaging with others' narratives can illuminate...