Why Escapism and Isolation Are Not the Same Thing in Fiction
I was 21 years old when I took my first isolated hike. Drenched in sweat, legs chafed, shoulders sore from carrying the backpack, I finally made it to the end of the 15-mile hike and arrived at my camping site. I hadn’t seen anyone since arriving at the park earlier that morning and for the next week, I would be out there alone, in total isolation from the rest of the world. For an introvert like me, an isolated experience like this can be life-changing, putting a lot of things in perspective.
(5 Reasons to Set Your Thriller in an Isolated Town.)
For instance, when I returned home, I had never had a more satisfying and enjoyable shower in my entire life. But more important, having time alone with my thoughts really allowed me to cut through the noise and distractions that we often have in the modern world. No phone, no technology. Just me, a few books, a journal, and the great Florida wilderness. Most of all though, I found when I returned to everyday life, I gained a new appreciation for other people.
In the case of this little camping adventure, isolation and escapism went hand-in-hand. But conflating the two would be a mistake of epic proportions. Because in fiction, escapism is much more likely to lead to connection than isolation.
Reading Fiction to Combat Isolation
If you’re an avid reader of fiction, I don’t have to tell you how reading develops empathy. It helps us appreciate new perspectives, think about problems in different ways, and even opens our minds to entirely new possibilities. Fiction often helps us move past our comfort zone, raising awareness of grave injustices that exist within the world. And it is for this reason that many seek the escapism that comes with reading.
But for those of us who might otherwise have trouble relating to people, it does something downright magical. You see, escapism allows us to make friends with people we never could in real life. The elf from another world with a witty retort for everything, the alien from another galaxy that can’t seem to grasp simple human customs, or just a fellow human who embarks on an adventure we can only dream of. All these people and more can help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Going Towards, or Running Away?
Of course, when it comes to escapism, I may think of things a bit differently than your average person. As with my own personal philosophy on community, love, and interpersonal relationships in general, I don’t see escapism as simply running away from the world. Instead, I view it as a way to run towards something greater.
Everyone has struggles in life, battles they fight, and challenges they must overcome. I’m not arrogant enough to assume I understand anyone else’s struggles. But I do believe that everyone would benefit from shifting their paradigm about escapism (and philosophical problems in general). Instead of leading with what we’re against, humans are capable of more when we focus on what we are for. And sometimes, reading fiction is escapism in that it is simply you moving towards joy, relaxation, adventure, or some other objective that might otherwise seem out of reach “in the real world.”
Check out Joseph P. Macolino’s The Battle for Erathal here:
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Escaping From Isolation
As mentioned above, escapism often serves as a means of overcoming isolation in life. And I will defend the friendship of imaginary characters any day of the week. Fortunately, that is not the only way escapism into fiction helps overcome isolation though. In fact, there’s an even more powerful reality that comes into play for fans of any work of fiction.
Commonly referred to as “fandoms,” people today of all walks of life can find common ground thanks to fictional universes. People from different countries, faiths, ethnicities, and wildly conflicting cultures can overcome significant barriers in their love for fiction. And in the interconnected world we live in today, long and meaningful friendships can form thanks to the common bonds of reading.
Lamenting with your fellow fans over the death of a beloved character, celebrating the victory of a hero, or even sharing disdain for a villain can all be great ways to overcome boundaries. For an introvert like me, they create meaningful topics of conversation. Because chatting about mundane things like the weather, or about the lives of some rich person you’ll never meet is just mind-numbing.
The Moral Imperative of Escapism
This leads to an inescapable conclusion about escapism. That is, a moral imperative to engage in escapism as often and as long as possible. No, you shouldn’t neglect real connections here on earth. And no, you shouldn’t allow the world around you to crumble as you flee into the pages of your favorite book. But you should put time aside to journey through those pages, enjoying every moment of escape you can.
Because the real terrifying notion that might be better left unmentioned is that we’re all prisoners in some way here on earth. And what greater imperative ought there be for a prisoner than to escape?
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