Something an academic advisor told me when I was an undergraduate student has stuck with me through the years. When I was thinking of declaring one of my majors as English literature, and wondering how that would help my career, she said something to the tune of “it’s not just about analyzing books. Literature is a study of the human experience.”
It was like a lightbulb went off in my head. I had never completely understood why a work of fiction could keep me entertained for so many hours at a time. Or, why, whenever the world felt so large, and I felt small, insignificant, and confused, a book would somehow - albeit temporarily - make me feel better. Because when I read, I was afforded a view into the character’s – and the author’s – mind. All of a sudden, I could see how different people viewed the world, and most importantly, how they derived meaning from the seemingly insignificant, mundane realities of everyday life.
I would almost try on ways of thinking and feeling as I read. I was looking not just to discover myself, but to discover all that human beings had in common. To see how, even though each mind was unique and different, so many things about characters and their lives were the same. Deep down, a lot of our fears and our passions are alike.
Like many avid readers, at some point, I started to think about writing something of my own. But I had no idea what to write. What, exactly, did I have to say? I knew so little. How could my words offer connection and comfort? More frighteningly, what exactly did I believe, about myself, and about the world around me?
This was how I delved – not just into philosophy, but also into mythology. And as I explored, I found a combination of the two in Joseph Campbell’s iconic works. Just looking at the back cover of , “A Hero with a Thousand Faces”, I was enthralled. This was a compilation of ancient and modern stories from around the world that spoke of the very point of life, veiled in mystic symbolism, archetypes, and metaphor.
But, to my surprise, Joseph Campbell’s works took me many years of study. I read, highlighted, underlined, and read again, feeling the truth of what I was reading, but not really “getting it” at the same time. It was humbling – I was put in my place. Because suddenly I realized, in order to write something wise, I had to be wise myself. It is a goal one chases for a lifetime. I could continue to write, but my writing would develop as I did — nothing more, nothing less.
However, I believe sincere study of mythology and philosophy can only help a writer. Campbell’s work is often taught in “formulas” or “plot diagrams.” As thought provoking as these are, they barely scratch the surface of what his work was actually about. Yes, a “chosen one” meets allies, has unique powers, and must eventually engage in the highest self- sacrifice.
But what exactly makes the chosen one special? What is the self- sacrifice a metaphor for? Is the villain truly “evil” or just a representation of the ego alive within each and every one of us? And what is the hero’s mind really like, after apotheosis? It is not just the study of philosophy and mythology that is useful. The study gains value when it is followed by application of concepts to one’s own life.
The wisdom gleaned from such practice shows up in the writing itself, not necessarily in methodologies. It shows up in dialogue, in description, in subtle character development.After all, even myths have to be analyzed and dissected in order to find the deeper meaning within. This, more than any plot diagram, is what makes for satisfying literature.
- A.M. Sarma
A.M. Sarma is an aspiring author, and a recipient of the 2023 SCBWI Emerging Voices Award. She is currently seeking representation for her manuscript "Under the Gulmohar Tree" (young adult historical fiction.) Besides reading and writing fiction, she enjoys learning about philosophies and mythologies from around the world. She is a pediatric speech therapist by day, and lives in California.
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