2. Verisimilitude: Truth in Fiction

Utilizing the 'lie' of a fictional story to convey human truths is a fundamental technique in literature. British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge explained that to fully immerse in and appreciate a story, an audience must possess 'poetic faith'—meaning they must be willing to accept that the story they are hearing is a facsimile of reality.

In order to encourage a reader’s 'willing suspension of disbelief,' writers strive for verisimilitude. Verisimilitude refers to the degree to which a narrative appears realistic and believable to its audience. It is achieved through the creation of lifelike characters, authentic dialogue, and plausible scenarios, regardless of the actual truth or fantasy elements involved. Here are some methods writers can use to enhance the verisimilitude of their narratives:

Provide specific, concrete sensory details: You can make up an underground tunnel that doesn’t exist, but if you describe the smell of sewage and the persistent dripping of water, you draw your reader into a concrete experience that contributes to the sense of reality.

Focus on emotions that are true to your characters: Your hero might be fighting an impossible beast, but everyone will be able to relate to their fear.

Incorporate the familiar alongside the unfamiliar: Keeping the reader grounded in things they recognize is just as important as introducing new and interesting elements.

Avoid technical mistakes: If you’re writing about the real world, get the facts straight. If you’re writing about a magical world, stay consistent with the laws of your creation.

Take time to cover objections: If something isn’t right in your world, let your characters notice that it isn’t right for them either.

While verisimilitude is not always a goal in general writing, in fiction, it serves the higher purpose of conveying emotional truths, entertaining readers, providing solace, provoking new perspectives, or even transforming lives.

To gain a deeper understanding of verisimilitude, consider the counterfactual genre illustrated below. These books tackle 'what if' questions, setting their stories in a familiar yet twisted reality, effectively coupling the familiar with the unfamiliar. The following books are examples of how writers can finely balance reality and imagination, transporting readers to amazingly believable worlds:

• The Man in the High Castle (1962) by Philip K. Dick—What if the United States lost World War II?

• The Alteration (1975) by Kingsley Amis—What if the Reformation had never happened?

• Fatherland (1992) by Robert Harris—What if Hitler had won the war?

• The Plot Against America (2004) by Philip Roth— What if the U.S. struck an entente with Hitler?

• The Yiddish Policemen’s Union (2007) by Michael Chabon—What if a Jewish state had been established in Alaska?

• Underground Airlines (2016) by Ben Winters— What if slavery had never ended in America?

FOR YOUR HOMEWORK

1. Story Synopsis: Start with a what if question, and then write one paragraph summarizing your short story. This should include the main characters, setting, and the central conflict or theme of your story. Aim to concisely capture the essence of your narrative.

   
   

2. Scene of Verisimilitude: Craft a short scene from your story (in a few paragraphs) that conveys verisimilitude. Your goal is to create a moment in your story that feels authentic and believable, even if it's set in a fictional or fantastical world.

   
   

3. Comment: After posting your (1) synopsis and (2) verisimilitude scene in the comments section below, read through your classmates' entries. Choose one to respond to with a short comment.

Here is an example of what your blog homework might look like in the comments section below:

Synopsis: What if there were a secret high school dedicated to raising future Illuminati members, a powerful group of elites determined to control the world?

The Devereux family, renowned for their expertise in stock market manipulation, enrolls their eldest daughter, Victoria, at Prometheus Academy for her freshman year. Located near Frankfurt, Germany, this elite institution is dedicated to molding the next generation of Illuminati leaders. Its curriculum includes cryptology, hacking, mind-control techniques, high-frequency trading, mixed martial arts, international law, and more. As the story unfolds, Victoria encounters Mikael Svenson, a fellow student distinguished by his family’s prowess in cybersecurity and hacking. Together, they delve into the academy’s ancient mysteries, uncovering layers of intrigue and peril.

Scene of Verisimilitude:

Lost in memory, the scents and sounds of my past momentarily envelop me.“Plotting to take over the world again, Victoria?”

A familiar voice, accompanied by a rush of agarwood, drags me back to the present.

“And if I am?” I retort, arching an eyebrow. “Planning to join me, or are you too busy hacking into the school servers to change the lunch menu?”

Mikael leans casually against my desk with a smirk. He is a fellow student in my cryptology class and, more importantly, a family rival.

“Tempting, but I’ll stick to something more challenging.” Mikael’s smile tugs at the corner of his lips, and his eyes light up with mischief. “Besides, whose family was known for hacking into the foreign exchange market?”

“Are we touching a nerve?” I quip back. “I thought we agreed not to use family legacies in the classroom.”

Mikael raises his hands in surrender at my comeback. Family is a sensitive subject for both of us.

“Anyway,” he says, lowering his voice to a whisper, “I’ve got some interesting news. It’s about the new class everyone’s been buzzing about.” His eyes gleam with impish delight. “There are rumors of ancient technology, and our class will be the first to preview it.”

His words capture my full attention and force me to lean in closer.

“For real?” I ask, barely containing my excitement. News of the new class has been circulating for weeks. It is shrouded in secrecy and rumored to involve classified information. Whispers among the students suggest it may even cover technologies far beyond our current comprehension.

That thought alone sends a thrill through me. Could this be my chance to uncover one of humanity’s deepest secrets, perhaps even extraterrestrial technology?