Nafsi in Lunsford

The one argument that Nafsi is making is that empathy is a major driving force behind life. She supports this argument with a story about her expulsion from the University of Tehran, and an analysis of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

This is an factual argument, however, she uses emotions as evidence. The word 'empathy' requires emotion to be discussed. In the reference to Huckleberry Finn, she points out that Huck's empathy changed his view on slavery because he put himself in Jim's shoes. Huck's emotions and perspective caused a change in his behavior, and this thus changed the direction of the story. It is a perfect example of how empathy drives the story that is life.

She then goes on to connect this with another story about herself. She was a teacher at the University of Tehran. In 1980, when she was kicked out, two students of hers who vehemently disagreed with her defended her. Why? They put themselves in her shoes. They understood that being kicked out was wrong, and they stood up for her. This definitely altered their lives, despite that she didn't get her job back.

Only empathy could make someone decide to go to hell on behalf of another person.

A good phrase she uses is 'shock of recognition'. I like this phrase. She uses it to describe how a person feels once they start thinking about another person. She feels this when she watches the news.

This feeling is recognizing that that person is human. They are struggling, they are different, they are strangers to you. Nafsi argues that this is what drives diplomacy and dialogue, this feeling to reach out. This is what causes things to be more than just trading and grabbing and warfare over something the other wants.

Empathy is the driving force behind drama.