This was because humans had the ability to empathize and feel the emotions and experiences of others. When we see the characters in the novel experiencing some kind of pain or setback, we can't help but feel emotional resonance and heartache. This is because we project our own emotions and experiences into the characters in the novel and produce a similar feeling. This kind of empathy was not only applicable to novels, but also to other forms of media such as movies and television dramas.