A Flourishing Society Needs Fiction
When people debate whether fiction or non-fiction is more valuable, it seems like the average young person would choose non-fiction. They say it teaches practical skills and information, while fiction is just for fun. I disagree. Fiction is vital for a healthy society, and ignoring its importance can actually be harmful. Not valuing good fiction shows something is missing in our culture.
Let us consider the insight one gains from reading Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, for example. Dostoevsky had the gift of showing universal truths through his characters. He understood the deep longing that everyone feels: the search for truth that we might never fully satisfy. People often look for meaning in philosophies, politics, jobs, or ideas, but these things don’t always fill that need. What really keeps us going is love and connection. Dostoevsky shows this through Ivan, a self-declared atheist who criticizes the Catholic Church and believes philosophy can save people. For Ivan, intellectual freedom is what helps people reach their full potential, rather than one of faith or religion. I am, of course, oversimplifying this, but ultimately Dostoevsky will show that this way of thinking lacks love and can lead to an empty life. On the other hand, characters like Alyosha and Zosima, who live with love and simplicity, find real meaning and value.
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh is another great example. It follows the Flyte family, Catholic aristocrats in England, and their friend, Charles Ryder, an atheist and critic of Catholicism. The novel looks at love, loss, indifference, and the search for purpose and faith. There are plenty of stories like this. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, for instance, asks whether women find value at home, in their careers, or in their relationships. It’s a story that still matters today, raising questions about whether roles like motherhood are less important than professional jobs, and if women should have to choose between them. In the end, Jo, the main character, learns that real fulfillment comes from family and love, not from material success or career achievements.
Many other books reach the same conclusion, like The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and 1984 by George Orwell. These stories are important for society, especially now. They have lasted because they reflect real life and reveal important truths about people. Today, as technology advances, we often become more isolated, and our relationships suffer. We aren’t meant to live this way. Values like love, simplicity, and putting others first are often lost in a world focused on material things and constant distractions.
I would go as far as to argue that a society’s health often matches how much it values good fiction. But what counts as good fiction? While “good” can be subjective, stories that have lasted over time, often referred to as Classics, are usually a safe bet. Still, a series of unfortunate trends like “BookTok” fiction are taking over and changing how people read. BookTok, which became popular on TikTok, often features fantasy and sexual themes, especially for young adults. In this case, it would be better to avoid fiction altogether than to fill one's mind with such content.
That’s why good fiction is so important for society and for the future. Stories that show real life and the beauty of being human teach us a lot about how we should live and what really matters. As G.K. Chesterton said:
“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”
In other words, fiction does not preach life lessons, but rather shows them. It leads readers to truly understand the fallen nature of humanity and offers hope for how we can lift ourselves up. Fictional stories have the power to shape generations, and this is why it is especially necessary to promote the use of good fiction.