Empathy for the inanimate

Abstract

Narrative fiction may invite us to share the perspective of characters which are very much unlike ourselves. Inanimate objects featuring as protagonists or narrators are an extreme example of this. The way readers experience these characters was examined by means of a narrative immersion study. Participants (N = 200) judged narratives containing animate or inanimate characters in predominantly Agent or Experiencer roles. Narratives with inanimate characters were judged to be less emotionally engaging. This effect was influenced by the dominant thematic role associated with the character: inanimate Agents led to more defamiliarization compared to their animate counterparts than inanimate Experiencers. I argue for an integrated account of thematic roles and animacy in literary experience and linguistics in general.

Making Meaning of Inanimate Objects as Characters in The Blue Umbrella (2013)

“…Just as animals in fable narrations are turned to be the main characters to avoid sensitive and difficult topics; inanimate objects are employed in fiction to serve a similar function. Although some may argue that, unlike animals that are animate objects, inanimate objects as characters in fiction are judged to be less emotionally engaging (Trompenaars 2022). Fowler (1977) further states the cause that animate beings are capable of initiating actions and change, whereas inanimate beings lack this faculty of responsibility.…”