Emerson once wrote that "fiction reveals truth that realty obscures." Fiction/novels can take your student to places and people they will never see in real life. It inspires the imagination. As for the comment on pay, I stopped saying that long ago. I DO expect to be paid decently. If I was interested in volunteering, I can think of many other places I would do that. We are in it for the outcome, not the income? Can't we be in it for both?