Reading for Empathy: How Grace and Dignity in Small Great Things and Disgrace Foster All-round Development. The development of ethical awareness and compassion through reading literature

Abstract

This thesis examines the presence of grace and dignity in literature to explore the benefits of reading literature to develop empathy and compassion towards others. Literature provides insight into new perspectives, ideas, and cultures. This thesis examines methods to engage with literature to make it a constructive tool for acquiring ethical awareness based on the philosophy of Levinas. Based on a close reading of Small Great Things (2016) and Disgrace (1999) to pinpoint illustrations of grace and dignity within characters shows how these virtues align with conciliation in society. Further character analysis illustrates how characters develop through awareness of others. The novels display character development, aligning with graceful actions, interaction, and development of ethical awareness. These findings can be implemented in school in reading projects that foster meditation on the contents to support students in learning to interact with the perspectives of literature to develop ethical awareness. This research suggests the use of literature in education to train students in developing these virtues, beneficial to a united society. Specifying methods that foster reflections and engagement with literature to ensure the secondary education of students. The main theoretical framework consists of Levinas´ The Others in how ethical awareness and responsibility develop through interaction and awareness of others. The responsibility human beings share resembles the core values stated in the Norwegian core curriculum, LK2020, which ensures students transform into compassionate and moral beings.