Each of her characters adapts to the situation idiosyncratically, and part of Moss's gift is to win empathy for their quirky survival strategies.
Nor are they likely to win any empathy contests.
Even at their least sympathetic, they win our empathy.
But Mr. Bunin's characters have enough peaty substance to win our empathy despite the writing's excesses.
And he would have to be equally and constantly lovable in both realms: intimate with audience members and beyond their ken, winning their empathy and their awe.
As Mr. Montoya said in an interview here last month, the aim is to win "some empathy for a highly vilified archetype — the Mexican immigrant".
But it's partly because of this that they win our empathy — that and an ability to invest Mr. Redler's seemingly wayward musical lines with a wondering sadness that is both harsh and sweet.
What I discovered is that chilling images of the suffering aren't needed to win the empathy of my generation.
Thompson is noted for her portrayal of reticent women which win the empathy of the audience, and has a strong background in comedy which is frequently reflected in her work, delivered with an ironic touch.
Back in Simi Valley, posters with feel-good phrases like "Empathy," "Winning" and "Leadership," dot the walls.
