Non sequitur is a rhetorical and literary device characterized by a logical fallacy where the conclusion or statement does not logically follow from the preceding premises or context. In this context, the presented argument lacks coherence and fails to establish a valid causal or sequential relationship, undermining the overall logical structure of the discourse. Non sequitur instances are typically employed to evoke surprise, humor, or emphasize incongruity, often resulting in a disconnect between the anticipated progression of ideas and the unexpected outcome.
Literary Examples of Non Sequitur
| Example | Explanation |
| “The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax— Of cabbages—and kings—” (Lewis Carroll, The Walrus and the Carpenter) | In this example, the Walrus jumps from one seemingly unrelated topic to the next without any clear connection, creating a sense of absurdity and humor. It highlights the nonsensical and whimsical nature of the conversation, as the topics do not logically follow one another. |
| “Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.” (Noam Chomsky) | This sentence is grammatically correct but does not make logical sense. Chomsky used it to illustrate that a sentence can be syntactically correct without being semantically meaningful. It demonstrates the disconnection between grammar and meaning. |
| “We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold.” (Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) | Thompson’s novel is full of non sequiturs, including this famous opening line, which sets the tone for the surreal and chaotic events that follow. It presents a sudden shift in focus, where the mention of drugs does not logically follow the location or context. |
| “To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles” (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) | Hamlet’s famous soliloquy contains several non sequiturs, as his thoughts jump from the contemplation of life and death to the idea of taking arms against an unknown enemy. The different ideas are presented without a clear logical connection. |
| “The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.” (William Gibson’s Neuromancer) | This line from Gibson’s cyberpunk classic is a vivid description of the sky, but the comparison to a dead television channel is a non sequitur that creates a sense of unease and disorientation. It presents an unexpected and unrelated comparison. |
| “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” (Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice) | Austen’s opening line is a famous example of a non sequitur. The statement that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife does not logically follow from any previous statement or argument. It introduces a societal expectation. |
How to Create Non Sequitur in a Fictional Work
Creating non sequiturs in a fictional work can be a way to add humor, create a sense of disorientation, or highlight the absurdity of a situation. Here are a few tips on how to create non sequiturs in your writing:
| Step | Explanation | Practical Example |
| 1. Use Unexpected Comparisons | Incorporate comparisons that are unexpected and incongruous, creating a jarring effect within the narrative. These comparisons deviate from logical connections, adding an element of surprise and often invoking humor. | In a serious discussion about climate change, a character might say, “Addressing global warming is like trying to teach a penguin to tap dance.” |
| 2. Include Random Details | Infuse seemingly unrelated and arbitrary details into the narrative. These details disrupt the logical flow and introduce an element of unpredictability. | While describing a mundane scene of a character having breakfast, suddenly mention that the toaster is singing an opera tune. |
| 3. Combine Unrelated Ideas | Fuse disparate and unrelated concepts, generating a sense of cognitive dissonance. The juxtaposition of these ideas challenges conventional thinking and introduces an eccentric quality. | “The conference on quantum physics turned into a cooking show, with speakers discussing black holes while baking cookies.” |
| 4. Use Unexpected Dialogue | Employ dialogue that deviates from the established context, catching readers off guard. This unconventional dialogue can inject intrigue and provoke thought by disrupting anticipated conversational patterns. | In a detective novel, a suspect unexpectedly blurts out, “I prefer pizza with pineapple during thunderstorms.” |
Benefits of Non Sequitur
Using non sequiturs can offer several benefits for a writer, depending on the context and purpose of the work. Here are some potential benefits of using non sequiturs:
- Adds humor
- Creates surprise
- Highlights absurdity
- Adds complexity
- Creates a sense of disorientation
Non Sequitur and Literary Theory
Non sequitur can be analyzed through various literary theories, depending on the context and purpose of the work. Here are some examples of how non sequitur can be examined through different literary theories:
| Literary Theory | Non Sequitur Analysis | Example of Critique |
| Formalism | Analyze non sequitur within the narrative structure and its impact on the overall form of the work. | A formalist analysis might examine how the use of non sequitur affects the pacing, tone, or mood of a literary work. |
| Postmodernism | Explore how non sequitur creates a sense of fragmentation, dislocation, or disorientation, emphasizing the fragmented nature of reality. | In a postmodernist analysis, non sequitur might be seen as a technique that highlights the disoriented or fragmented experience of characters or reflects the fragmented nature of reality itself. |
| Psychoanalytic theory | Examine how non sequitur reveals unconscious desires or motivations of characters or the author. | From a psychoanalytic perspective, non sequitur can be analyzed to uncover hidden or repressed desires, motivations, or anxieties of the characters or the author. |
| Reader-response theory | Analyze how non sequitur affects the reader’s interpretation and elicits different reader responses. | A reader-response analysis of non sequitur might explore how it influences the reader’s understanding and interpretation of the work, and how different readers might respond to its use. |
| Deconstruction | Examine how non sequitur disrupts traditional logic of language, creating ambiguity or uncertainty. | In a deconstructionist analysis, non sequitur can be seen as a technique that challenges the stability and certainty of language, introducing ambiguity and questioning fixed meanings. |
Note: Non sequitur could be analyzed through a wide range of literary theories, depending on the context and purpose of the work. The examples provided are general illustrations of how non sequitur can be approached within each theory, but specific analyses may vary based on the literary work and the chosen theoretical framework.
Suggested Readings
- Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. 4th ed., University of Chicago Press, 2016.
- Corbett, Edward P. J., and Rosa A. Eberly. The Elements of Reasoning. 7th ed., Allyn & Bacon, 2018.
- Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing with Readings. 4th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.
- Lunsford, Andrea A. Everything’s an Argument. 8th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.
- Lutz, William D. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. University of Notre Dame Press, 2002.
- Perelman, Chaïm, and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. Translated by John Wilkinson and Purcell Weaver, University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
- Toulmin, Stephen. The Uses of Argument. Updated ed., Cambridge University Press, 2003.