The tragedy is a very broad and subjective term. Even though there are plenty of experiences and topics that are generally acknowledged as tragic, what exactly tragedy depends on the person you ask. It feels like we would read books, watch movies and shows, or listen to music to escape these life experiences. Yet for some reason, most of us are drawn to tragic stories, and many of us seek out stories that deal with suffering. 

Virtually everyone, to some extent, has dealt with the pain of some sort before. When reading or watching about a difficult experience, some people can really directly relate to what’s happening--it can be comforting to see you’re not alone in going through something. Many of us, however, cannot relate to exactly what a character is going through but they get the emotions. Even if our story isn’t the same, the themes of grief, suffering, or despair can still be felt. This is where catharsis comes in! Catharsis is defined as the “purge” of intense emotions that provide a sense of relief. It’s something a lot of us engage in through books or TV. For example, when a character in a movie passes away, it’s a bit unlikely that you’re sobbing over a fictional character you knew for an hour and a half. Instead, you feel the pain of their loss felt by the other characters, and you relate to the grief or can’t handle the suffering (or both). Catharsis could also be a subconscious occurrence--you’re likely not always thinking about your own experience while reading/watching about other people. Sometimes it can just be a general sad feeling, similar to how we get upset when we see someone else cry. Whether it’s empathy or your own experience coming to mind, books and TV bring out your emotions through tragic plots and experiences. We may not consciously seek out tragedy for a cathartic effect, but it helps a lot of us in this way. (Catharsis is definitely not an unhealthy way of releasing emotions, but please be cautious, especially if you’ve recently gone through something sensitive.)

On the other hand, despite how heartbreaking, or disturbing tragedies can be, they can bring positive feelings and effects as well. In my experience, they have helped put things into perspective. Most things I read or watch (excluding cliffhangers) end on some sort of hopeful note, even if they don’t really classify as happy endings. The fact that someone can go through so much and then get through it, make lasting connections, and come out a better person absolutely gets me every time. It sounds cliché, but it really is inspiring to see. I read an entire book or binge-watch a whole series just to see the part where the character prevails, where it finally works out. Because when I see it work out for them, who have been through so much, everything that I thought was holding me back doesn’t seem as significant anymore. (And don’t get me wrong, I don’t rely on happy fairy-tale endings to keep me happy in my little bubble. I don’t want to discredit people and downplay their terrible experiences, but rather want to educate myself on what they went through and how they got through it. Happy endings are great, but too many of them start to look fake. Tragedy looks like the truth. No sane person will lie about their experience in concentration camps or getting through the loss of a loved one.) Anytime I see someone who has gone through so much being optimistic about the future, I just feel motivated by their energy and try to do the same.

There are so many reasons people seek out tragedies, whether they like them or not. Though these are just a few of the motives I resonated with, everyone is different and has gone through different things. Whether you find tragedy comforting, inspiring, or disturbing, I think everyone can gain something from a sad story.