Books and movies develop a deeper understanding of reality. However, it is easy to escape through stories by gaining perspectives, musical impacts and creative views. Audiences become more entertained through the imagination of made-up realities.
The impact that books have on readers is a powerful way to escape reality. Books offer the opportunity to feel emotions and relate to the storylines.
Additionally, books allow creative thinking and strengthen imagination skills. It makes it easier to escape reality by using personal imaginative skills, rather than watching a movie.
Senior Charlotte Donar said that she builds her imagination through reading and focuses better when she is engaged in written language. She emphasized that she multitasks while watching a movie, but when she reads a book, she has a stronger attention span.
Books have a stronger historical value, which develops stronger relationships between the reader and the story. These books emphasize timeless themes and mobility into the present day.
“I like a bit older books. I like Little Women. That’s really good. I mean, it’s a classic, and it’s kind of like a girlhood book,” Donar said.
In contrast, movies can be an escape from classwork. Reading is a crucial part of the student experience, which is why movies would be an easier way to relax than books.
“I read a lot of books in school, and so I don’t want to do more of that,” senior Abigail Hellrung said.
In contrast, movies guide viewers into engaging visual stories and deeper character connections. Movies also allow viewers to relax into a story and minimize the effort needed to absorb a film.
Movies show a balance between entertainment and a refresh from everyday life. Senior Madeline Torgerson said that watching movies allows viewers to use “less brain power,” and enjoy a film that reengages thinking.
How someone enjoys escaping reality reflects new perspectives and viewpoints from others. In many cases, people gravitate toward movies or books that differ from personal relation.
“Usually, the movies that I watch are different from my life, you know, like Good Will Hunting, or Dead Poets Society, such are really good and I don’t really connect to them at all, but it helps me understand, like, what other people go through,” Hellrung said.
Even though books and movies provide similar ways to escape reality, these realities can negatively impact consumers. People who turn to fictional realities are prone to unrealistic expectations in real life.
“I think it could go both ways. I think it’s like a good hobby to do, but I feel like you’re just too invested in something where it’s affecting you in the actual world in a weird, negative way, then it’d be bad,” Torgerson said.
Ultimately, it is important to find safe escapes from reality. Movies and books both emphasize a productive way to escape reality because of the positive representation. These entertainment options leave complicated emotions behind and lead to a greater healing process.
