Azar Nafisi, in her memoir "Reading Lolita in Tehran," emphasizes that the essence of fiction transcends mere resemblance to reality. She suggests that to reduce a work of fiction to its real-life counterparts is to undermine its true value. Rather than striving for a literal reflection of life, readers seek a deeper understanding or revelation that fiction can provide.

Nafisi's observations highlight that the purpose of engaging with literature is to encounter profound truths and experiences that might not be as apparent in our everyday realities. This quest for epiphany within fictional narratives demonstrates literature's power to evoke emotional and intellectual revelations that enhance our understanding of life.