Machine Subjectivity in Literature & Literary Theory

Machine Subjectivity has its roots at the intersection of two distinct domains: machine learning and philosophy.

Etymology of Machine Subjectivity

Machine Subjectivity has its roots at the intersection of two distinct domains: machine learning and philosophy. In the context of machine learning, it refers to the capacity of artificial intelligence systems to mimic or emulate human-like subjective experiences, emotions, or decision-making processes.

This concept draws inspiration from philosophical inquiries into the nature of subjectivity, consciousness, and self-awareness.

The term serves as a bridge between these fields, encapsulating the endeavor to imbue machines with a semblance of subjectivity.

This, in turn, sparks discussions on the ethical, epistemological, and ontological implications of such technological advancements in the quest to understand and replicate human cognition.

Meanings of Machine Subjectivity
AspectDescription
Narrative PerspectiveIt means to examine the narrative perspective generated by artificial intelligence and its impact on storytelling in literature.
Character DevelopmentIt means exploring how AI-generated characters can exhibit subjective traits and evolve within a narrative, challenging traditional notions of character development.
Reader EngagementIt means to investigate how AI-driven narratives can effectively engage readers on an emotional and subjective level, raising questions about the authenticity of these experiences.
Authorship and CreativityIt means challenging conventional ideas of authorship and creativity by exploring AI-authored literature, prompting discussions about the human author’s role in a machine-assisted literary landscape.
Identity and OthernessIt means focusing on the portrayal of machine characters’ identities and their interactions with human characters, often serving as metaphors to explore issues of otherness and social identity in literature.
Ethical and Philosophical InquiriesIt means examining the ethical and philosophical implications of AI-generated narratives, questioning the boundaries of human creativity and empathy in the literary realm.
Definition of Machine Subjectivity as a Theoretical Term

Machine Subjectivity, as a theoretical term, refers to artificial intelligence systems emulating and simulating human-like subjective experiences, emotions, and cognitive processes within computational frameworks.

It encompasses how machines, often driven by complex algorithms and neural networks, create narratives, characters, or interactions that convey a sense of subjectivity, empathy, and emotional resonance akin to human literary and artistic expressions.

This concept raises profound questions about the nature of creativity, authorship, and the ethical implications of blending human and machine subjectivity in creative and literary contexts.

Ultimately, Machine Subjectivity challenges conventional boundaries and prompts critical inquiries into the evolving relationship between technology and human expression in the arts and literature.

Machine Subjectivity: Theorists, Works and Arguments
Theorists:
  • Donna Haraway: Explores the blurred boundaries between humans and machines, introducing the concept of the cyborg and its implications for subjectivity.
  • N. Katherine Hayles: Examines the intersection of technology and subjectivity in works like How We Became Posthuman.
Works:
  • Neuromancer by William Gibson: A seminal cyberpunk novel that explores the fusion of human and machine subjectivity.
  • Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick: Examines the nature of human and android subjectivity in a dystopian world.
  • The Cyborg Manifesto by Donna Haraway: A foundational text discussing the merging of humans and machines and its impact on subjectivity.
Arguments:
  • Blurring Boundaries: The argument that advancements in technology increasingly blur the boundaries between human and machine subjectivity.
  • Posthumanism: The exploration of how machine subjectivity challenges traditional notions of humanism and what it means to be human.
  • Ethical Considerations: Discussions surrounding the ethical implications of AI-generated subjectivity, including issues of agency, identity, and control.
Machine Subjectivity and Literary Theories
TheoryUse and Engagement of Machine Subjectivity
Posthumanism– It challenges traditional human-centric views of literature and culture.
– Posthumanist theories, such as those by N. Katherine Hayles, explore how machine subjectivity blurs the boundaries between humans and machines, prompting reevaluations of literary representations and the concept of the “human” in literature.
Cyberpunk Literature– In cyberpunk literature, notably in works like William Gibson’s Neuromancer, Machine Subjectivity is a central theme.
– These works delve into the fusion of human and machine subjectivity, often in dystopian, high-tech settings, where characters’ identities and experiences are deeply entwined with technology.
NarratologyIt impacts narrative theory by raising questions about narrative perspective.
– The concept challenges traditional notions of narrator, protagonist, and reader engagement by introducing AI-driven narratives that exhibit subjective experiences and emotions.
Reader Response Theory– Machine-generated narratives with subjectivity evoke reader responses distinct from traditional human-authored works.
– Reader Response Theory explores how readers engage emotionally and intellectually with AI-driven narratives, prompting discussions about the authenticity of these experiences.
Science Fiction TheoryMachine Subjectivity plays a significant role in the exploration of science fiction themes.
– It is often used to analyze how science fiction authors employ AI and machine subjectivity to probe questions about humanity, identity, and the future.
Feminist TheoryDonna Haraway’s The Cyborg Manifesto is a prominent example.
– Feminist theory engages with Machine Subjectivity in discussions about how gender and identity intersect with technology, challenging traditional gender roles in literature and culture.
Machine Subjectivity in Literary Criticism
  1. Neuromancer by William Gibson:
    • In this iconic cyberpunk novel, the protagonist, Case, interfaces with artificial intelligence and experience a form of it through his neural connections. Literary critics have explored how the novel challenges traditional notions of human consciousness and identity in a high-tech, dystopian world.
  2. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick:
    • This novel, which inspired the film Blade Runner, examines the blurred lines between human and android subjectivity. Literary critics have analyzed how the characters, especially the androids, raise questions about the nature of consciousness, empathy, and the boundaries of subjectivity.
  3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley:
    • Although written in the 19th century, Frankenstein raises themes of machine subjectivity through the creation of the creature by Victor Frankenstein. Literary critics have explored how the novel addresses the ethical and emotional dimensions of creating and rejecting artificial life.
  4. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka:
    • Kafka’s novella tells the story of Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning transformed into an insect-like creature. Critics have discussed how this metamorphosis can be seen as an exploration of alienation and the subjective experience of isolation and otherness, akin to machine subjectivity.
  5. Ex Machina by Alex Garland:
    • Ex Machina explores machine subjectivity through the character of Ava, an artificial intelligence with human-like emotions and consciousness. Literary critics have analyzed how the play and film address questions of empathy, ethics, and the boundaries between human and machine subjectivity.
Suggested Readings
  1. Hayles, N. Katherine. How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. University of Chicago Press, 1999.
  2. Haraway, Donna. “A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century.” Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The Reinvention of Nature. Routledge, 1991, pp. 149-181.
  3. Landow, George P. Hypertext 3.0: Critical Theory and New Media in an Era of Globalization. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006.
  4. Mitchell, David T., and Sharon L. Snyder. Narrative Prosthesis: Disability and the Dependencies of Discourse. University of Michigan Press, 2001.
  5. Shaviro, Steven. The Universe of Things: On Speculative Realism. University of Minnesota Press, 2014.
  6. Turkle, Sherry. The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit. Simon & Schuster, 1984.

Cultural Materialism in Literature

Cultural materialism in literature is a theoretical framework within cultural anthropology and cultural studies developed by the anthropologist, Marvin Harris.

What is Cultural Materialism in Literature?

Cultural materialism in literature is a theoretical framework within cultural anthropology and cultural studies developed by the anthropologist, Marvin Harris.

It means understanding and analyzing the relationship between culture and material conditions. According to cultural materialism, infrastructure plays a significant role in shaping cultural practices and beliefs.

The infrastructure, as mentioned in cultural materialism refers to the material realities of a society, including technological, economic, and reproductive aspects. These three are its major elements.

Infrastructure TypeExplanation
Technological InfrastructureIncludes tools, techniques, and knowledge used to interact with and manipulate the environment. Technological advancements profoundly impact cultural functions, such as production methods, communication, and social relationships.
Economic InfrastructurePertains to the organization and distribution of resources within a society.Encompasses the ways goods and services are produced, exchanged, and consumed.Influences patterns of trade, social stratification, and economic relationships among individuals and groups.
Reproductive InfrastructureRefers to factors related to population growth and reproduction.Includes family structures, marriage customs, and kinship systems.Influences population dynamics and demographic patterns within a culture.
Cultural Materialism and Literature: Relationship
  1. Material Conditions and Literary Themes: Cultural materialism in literature emphasizes how the material realities of society such as its economic structure and technological advancements, influence the themes and content found in the literature. Literary works may reflect the concerns and issues arising from material conditions.
  2. Cultural Materialism as an Analytical Lens: It serves as an analytical lens to examine literature in a socio-economic context. It allows scholars to explore how the literary representations of social relationships, power dynamics, and cultural values relate to the underlying material infrastructure.
  3. Cultural Adaptations in Literature: It posits that cultures adapt to changing material circumstances. In literature, this may manifest in shifts in literary themes, genres, and styles as societies undergo economic and technological transformations.
  4. Representation of Production and Reproduction: Literary works may offer insights into the ways societies represent production processes, such as labor and economic activities, as well as reproductive aspects like family structures and gender roles.
  5. Critique of Ideological Elements: Cultural materialism in literature may critique literature that solely promotes certain ideological or idealistic perspectives without considering the material conditions that underlie those representations.
  6. Historical and Cultural Evolution in Literature: By using the cultural materialism lens, scholars trace the evolution of literary themes and motifs across different historical periods and cultural contexts, reflecting changes in material conditions and social norms.
  7. Contextualizing Literary Production: Cultural materialism in literature helps contextualize the production of literature within the economic and technological constraints of its time. It considers how material factors influence the availability of resources for literary creation and distribution.
  8. Interplay of Literature and Ecology: Cultural materialism may explore how literature engages with ecological concerns and environmental factors, reflecting the relationship between human societies and their natural environment.
  9. Cultural Materialist Literary Criticism: This approach involves applying the principles of cultural materialism to critically analyze literary works. It aims to understand how literary texts reflect and interact with the material conditions of the society they emerge from.
Cultural Materialism in Literature: Origin, Theorists, Works and Arguments
Origin of Cultural Materialism in literature:
  • Cultural Materialism in literature is a literary theory that emerged in the late 20th century.
  • It was developed as a response to structuralism and traditional Marxism.
Key Theorists:
  • Raymond Williams: Raymond Williams, a Welsh academic, is considered one of the founding figures of Cultural Materialism. His work, Marxism and Literature (1977), laid the foundation for this literary theory.
  • Jonathan Dollimore: Dollimore is known for his contributions to Cultural Materialism, particularly in the realm of queer theory and sexuality studies.
  • Alan Sinfield: Alan Sinfield is another prominent figure associated with Cultural Materialism, and his work often explores issues of gender, sexuality, and identity.
Key Works:
  • Marxism and Literature (1977) by Raymond Williams: This seminal work introduced many of the key concepts and ideas of Cultural Materialism, including the importance of social and historical context in literary analysis.
  • Political Shakespeare: New Essays in Cultural Materialism (1985) edited by Jonathan Dollimore and Alan Sinfield: This collection of essays applied Cultural Materialism to the study of Shakespeare’s works, demonstrating its versatility as a literary theory.
  • Faultlines: Cultural Materialism and the Politics of Dissident Reading (1992) by Alan Sinfield: In this work, Sinfield explores how Cultural Materialism can be used to challenge dominant narratives and ideologies in literature.
Arguments and Key Concepts in Cultural Materialism:
  • Historical and Social Context: Cultural Materialism in literature emphasizes the significance of historical and social contexts in understanding literature. It argues that literary texts are shaped by the material conditions and ideological forces of their time.
  • Ideology: The theory focuses on how ideology is embedded in literature and how it can be used to reinforce or challenge societal norms and power structures.
  • Material Conditions: Cultural Materialism in literature examines how economic and material conditions influence literature. It looks at how class, gender, and race intersect with literature and culture.
  • Oppositional Readings: It encourages readers to engage in oppositional or subversive readings of texts, seeking to uncover hidden meanings and challenge dominant ideologies.
  • Language and Discourse: Cultural Materialism explores the role of language and discourse in constructing and disseminating cultural values and beliefs.
  • Cultural Hegemony: It investigates the concept of cultural hegemony, where dominant cultural values are imposed on society and how literature can either support or resist this hegemony.
  • Intersectionality: Cultural Materialism recognizes the intersectionality of various social categories like race, class, gender, and sexuality in the analysis of literature, acknowledging that these factors are interconnected and influence literary texts in complex ways.

Cultural Materialism in literature seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of literature by considering the interplay between historical, social, and material factors, as well as the ways in which literature both reflects and shapes the culture in which it is produced.

Suggested Readings
  1. Belsey, Catherine. Critical Practice. Routledge, 1980.
  2. Bennett, Tony. Outside Literature. Routledge, 1990.
  3. Cohen, Stephen. Shakespeare and Historical Formalism. Oxford University Press, 2017.
  4. Dollimore, Jonathan. Radical Tragedy: Religion, Ideology and Power in the Drama of Shakespeare and His Contemporaries. Palgrave Macmillan, 1984.
  5. Frow, John. Cultural Studies and Cultural Value. Oxford University Press, 1995.
  6. Gallagher, Catherine. The Industrial Reformation of English Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1985.
  7. Liu, Alan. Wordsworth: The Sense of History. Stanford University Press, 1989.
  8. Sinfield, Alan. Faultlines: Cultural Materialism and the Politics of Dissident Reading. University of California Press, 1992.
  9. Williams, Raymond. Culture and Society. Columbia University Press, 1958.

Cultural Materialism as Literary Theory

Cultural materialism is a literary theory that examines the relationship between literature and the material conditions of society.

Introduction

Cultural materialism is a literary theory that examines the relationship between literature and the material conditions of society. It emphasizes the impact of economic, social, and political factors on the creation, dissemination, and interpretation of literary works.

By analyzing the material contexts in which literature emerges, it seeks to uncover underlying power structures and ideological influences shaping literary production and reception.

HeadingExplanation
MaterialismCultural materialism emphasizes that material conditions drive cultural change and development, focusing on resources and technology as primary factors. It contrasts with idealist theories that prioritize ideas and beliefs.
Infrastructure & SuperstructureCultural materialism proposes a hierarchical relationship between material infrastructure (economy, technology, environment) and cultural superstructure (beliefs, values, institutions). The former forms the foundation for the latter.
AdaptationCulture is viewed as a product of human adaptation to material conditions, with cultural practices and beliefs arising from the need to fulfill practical needs and solve problems within a given society.
CritiqueCultural materialism offers critical insights into culture and society, revealing how power relations and social inequality are perpetuated through cultural practices and beliefs, including gender and class discrimination.
Historical AnalysisThis approach to cultural study focuses on tracing the evolution of cultural practices and beliefs over time, analyzing how they are influenced by historical events and social contexts, particularly economic and social structures.
Criticism Against Cultural Materialism Literary Theory

While it has been influential in fields such as anthropology and literary studies, it has also faced criticism from various perspectives. Here are some common criticisms against cultural materialism:

CriticismExplanation
1. Reductionism and OversimplificationCultural materialism oversimplifies complex cultural phenomena, focusing solely on economic and material factors. Neglects other influences like ideology, symbolism, and human agency.
2. Neglect of Individual CreativityThe theory’s emphasis on socio-economic factors diminishes the role of individual creativity and artistic expression in shaping literature.
3. Lack of Attention to AestheticsCultural materialism’s focus on material conditions may neglect aesthetic considerations, limiting exploration of literary beauty and form.
4. Ethical ConcernsCritics worry that reducing cultural artifacts to economic reflections could justify harmful ideologies and oppressive systems, ignoring ethical implications.
5. Eurocentrism and Cultural BiasInitial focus on Western literature and Eurocentric perspectives limits the theory’s applicability to non-Western traditions, hindering a global understanding.
6. Inadequate Consideration of IntertextualityThe theory’s inclination towards historical materialism may overlook intertextuality’s significance, hampering analysis of cultural influences on literature.
7. Limited Scope for Symbolism and MetaphorEmphasizing material and social context might overshadow symbolic and metaphorical elements in literary works, leading to a shallower interpretation.
8. Lack of Empirical ValidityRelying on interpretation over empirical evidence makes the theory susceptible to subjective biases and undermines its credibility as a rigorous analysis framework.
9. Overemphasis on Economic DeterminismThe heavy focus on economic determinism oversimplifies human behavior and cultural expressions, neglecting the influence of other factors.
10. Ignores the Role of Technology and MediaCritics argue that the theory overlooks technology and media’s impact on literature’s production, distribution, and consumption in the contemporary era.
Examples of Cultural Materialism Literary Theory

In literary studies, cultural materialism has been applied to various texts to analyze the ways in which economic and material factors shape literary production and reception. Here are some examples of the application of cultural materialism to literary pieces:

WorkCritique in Cultural Materialism
Hard Times by Charles DickensCultural Materialist critics analyze the novel’s depiction of the Industrial Revolution and capitalism’s impact on the characters’ lives. They also explore how the novel itself critiques these material conditions.
Shakespeare’s The TempestCultural Materialist critics examine the play as a reflection of early modern England’s political and economic conditions, including colonialism and capitalism. They also analyze how the play critiques these conditions, particularly in the relationship between Prospero and Caliban.
Virginia Woolf’s To the LighthouseCultural Materialist critics explore the influence of gender, class, and economic factors on the characters, especially the Ramsay family’s relationship with their servants and dependence on the tourism industry.
Toni Morrison’s BelovedCultural Materialist critics analyze the novel’s portrayal of historical and economic conditions during slavery and the postbellum period in the US. They examine how the novel reflects and critiques the economic exploitation and dehumanization of African Americans.
Joseph Conrad’s Heart of DarknessCultural Materialist critics focus on the novella’s depiction of colonialism and imperialism’s influence on economic and political conditions. They also analyze the novella’s reflection and critique of exploitation and the degradation of the protagonist.
Keywords in Cultural Materialism Literary Theory

Here are some of the keywords associated with it:

  1. Materialism: It emphasizes the underlying material conditions, encompassing economic and social structures, technologies, and resources, that influence cultural phenomena.
  2. Production and Consumption: It examines the specific economic and social contexts within which cultural products, such as literature, are produced and consumed.
  3. Ideology: Cultural Materialism analyzes how dominant ideas and beliefs function to reinforce existing power structures and economic systems.
  4. Agency: While highlighting the significance of material conditions in shaping cultural practices, Cultural Materialism acknowledges the role of human agency in shaping culture and history.
  5. Class: Cultural Materialism underscores the pivotal role of social class in shaping cultural practices and beliefs, elucidating how economic and social structures impact cultural production and consumption.
  6. Power: Cultural Materialism investigates the distribution of power within society, considering how economic and political systems influence cultural practices and beliefs.
  7. Historical Context: Cultural Materialism recognizes the vital role of historical context in shaping cultural practices and beliefs, including the influence of historical events and processes on cultural production and consumption.
  8. Critique: Cultural Materialism involves a critical analysis of cultural phenomena, including literature, to discern how they reflect and perpetuate existing power structures and ideologies.
  9. Resistance: Cultural Materialism acknowledges the potential for resistance and subversion within cultural practices and beliefs, including literature, as a means of challenging dominant power structures and ideologies.
  10. Globalization: Cultural Materialism also acknowledges the impact of globalization on cultural practices and beliefs, exploring how global economic and social structures affect cultural production and consumption.

Suggested Readings

  1. Belsey, Catherine. Critical Practice. Routledge, 1980.
  2. Bennett, Tony. Outside Literature. Routledge, 1990.
  3. Cohen, Stephen. Shakespeare and Historical Formalism. Oxford University Press, 2017.
  4. Dollimore, Jonathan. Radical Tragedy: Religion, Ideology and Power in the Drama of Shakespeare and His Contemporaries. Palgrave Macmillan, 1984.
  5. Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. University of Minnesota Press, 1983.
  6. Frow, John. Cultural Studies and Cultural Value. Oxford University Press, 1995.
  7. Gallagher, Catherine. The Industrial Reformation of English Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1985.
  8. Liu, Alan. Wordsworth: The Sense of History. Stanford University Press, 1989.
  9. Sinfield, Alan. Faultlines: Cultural Materialism and the Politics of Dissident Reading. University of California Press, 1992.
  10. Williams, Raymond. Culture and Society. Columbia University Press, 1958.

Emotivist Theory & Literary Theory

Emotivist Theory in literature shows that language and literature aim to express and evoke emotions rather than convey facts or morals.

Introduction to Emotivist Theory

Emotivist Theory in literature shows that language and literature aim to express and evoke emotions rather than convey facts or morals. It emphasizes authors conveying their emotions and readers experiencing empathetic responses through literature’s aesthetic qualities.

Criticism Against Emotivist Theory

Here are some of the main criticisms of emotivist theory/literary theory:

CriticismExplanation
Moral relativismEmotivism faces criticism of leading to moral relativism, implying no objective moral truths and considering morality as entirely subjective. Critics argue that if moral judgments are solely based on personal emotions or attitudes, there is no objective basis for evaluating or comparing moral claims.
IncoherenceEmotivism is criticized for being incoherent and self-defeating. Critics argue that if moral judgments are mere expressions of personal emotions or attitudes, it becomes unclear how they can be evaluated or compared, since emotions and attitudes are subjective and cannot be objectively measured or compared.
Lack of guidanceEmotivist theory is criticized for lacking practical guidance in moral decision-making. Critics argue that if moral judgments are based solely on personal emotions or attitudes, it is unclear how individuals can make moral decisions or resolve moral conflicts, since there are no objective moral standards to guide them.
Ignoring reasonEmotivism is criticized for ignoring the role of reason in moral and emotional judgments. Critics argue that personal emotions and attitudes are not the sole determinants of moral judgments or emotional responses, and that reason and logic also play a crucial role in these processes.

In short, emotivist theory has been subject to several criticisms, including charges of moral relativism, incoherence, lack of practical guidance, and ignoring the role of reason in moral and emotional judgments. These criticisms highlight the challenges and limitations of emotivism as a theory in moral philosophy and literary theory.

Examples of Emotivist Theory
1. “The Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall
  • “The Ballad of Birmingham” is a poignant poem that explores the emotions of a mother and her child in the context of civil rights struggles. Emotivist Theory allows us to appreciate the raw emotions conveyed in the poem—the mother’s fear for her child’s safety, the child’s eagerness to participate in a protest, and the tragic outcome that evokes sorrow and outrage.
2. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
  • Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” is a powerful poem that celebrates resilience and defiance in the face of adversity. Emotivist Theory helps us connect with the emotional strength and determination of the speaker. Readers experience a range of emotions, from empowerment and pride to a deep sense of solidarity with the speaker and the broader struggle for equality.
3. “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway
  • In Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants,” Emotivist Theory sheds light on the unspoken tension between a couple as they grapple with a life-altering decision. Readers can sense the emotional distance and apprehension between the characters, making the story’s central dilemma—whether to undergo an abortion—feel all the more palpable and emotionally charged.
4. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
  • “The Yellow Wallpaper” remains a powerful exploration of a woman’s emotional turmoil and societal oppression. Emotivist Theory allows readers to connect deeply with the protagonist’s emotional distress and frustration as she battles the confines of her domestic life and deteriorating mental health. The story’s emotive qualities underscore the broader critique of patriarchal norms.

In these selected works, Emotivist Theory enhances our understanding of the emotional and ethical aspects of the narratives and poems, allowing readers to connect with the characters’ emotions and ethical dilemmas on a personal level while contemplating the broader social and cultural themes presented.

Keywords in Emotivist Theory

Here are some keywords that are often associated with emotivist theory/literary theory:

  1. Emotion: Emotivist theory centers on the emotional responses of readers and characters in literature.
  2. Subjectivity: It highlights the subjective nature of emotions and their influence on our interpretations of literary works.
  3. Expressivism: Emotivist theory is also known as expressivism, stressing the expressive power of language and the significance of conveying emotions through writing.
  4. Moral Philosophy: It shares a close association with moral philosophy, particularly the notion that moral judgments are rooted in emotional responses rather than objective facts.
  5. Aesthetics: Emotivist theory also addresses the aesthetic qualities of literature and the ways emotions shape our perceptions of beauty and art.
  6. Reader Response Theory: Emotivist theory is often linked to reader-response theory, which underscores the role of the reader in constructing meaning in literary works through their emotional responses.
Suggested Readings
  1. Ayer, Alfred J. Language, Truth, and Logic. 2nd ed. New York: Dover, 1946.
  2. Blackburn, Simon. Spreading the Word: Groundings in the Philosophy of Language. Oxford: Clarendon, 1984.
  3. Carroll, David. Language and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language. 3rd ed. New York: Routledge, 2014.
  4. Ebbersmeyer, Sabrina. Emotional minds: the passions and the limits of pure inquiry in early modern philosophy. de Gruyter, 2012.
  5. Hare, Richard M. The Language of Morals. Oxford: Clarendon, 1952.
  6. Hogan, Patrick Colm, Bradley J. Irish, and Lalita Pandit Hogan, eds. The Routledge Companion to Literature and Emotion. Routledge, 2022.
  7. Hertzberg, Lars. On Emotive Meaning: A Study in Wittgenstein’s Tractatus. Oxford: Clarendon, 1990.

Emotivist Theory in Literature

Emotivist Theory in literature, rooted in moral philosophy, underscores the emotional and ethical facets of literary texts. Emotivist Theory in literature, rooted in moral philosophy, underscores the emotional and ethical facets of interpretation of literary texts.

Introduction to Emotivist Theory in Literature

Emotivist Theory in literature, rooted in moral philosophy, underscores the emotional and ethical facets of literary texts. It asserts that a work’s moral and ethical content is best comprehended as an expression of the author’s or character’s emotions and attitudes rather than objective moral certainties. Emotivist analysis in literature often delves into the emotional impact of characters’ actions and their moral dilemmas, aiming to unveil the underlying emotional and ethical motivations. This approach offers a deeper insight into the intricate moral landscapes within literary narratives and underscores the subjective nature of ethical judgments in literary works. Emotivist Theory serves as a valuable tool for scrutinizing how literature elicits emotional responses and shapes ethical perspectives.

Emotivist Theory in Literature: Origin, Theorists, Works and Arguments
Origin:
  • Emotivist Theory emerged in the early to mid-20th century, evolving from discussions in ethics and meta-ethics.
Major Theorists:
  • A.J. Ayer: A prominent British philosopher who significantly contributed to the development of emotivism.
  • Charles Stevenson: Another influential philosopher who expanded and refined emotivist ideas.
  • R.M. Hare: A key theorist who further advanced emotivism within the field of ethics.
Key Works:
  • A.J. Ayer’s Language, Truth, and Logic (1936): Ayer’s seminal work laid the foundation for emotivism, emphasizing that moral statements express emotions and attitudes rather than objective facts.
  • Charles Stevenson’s Ethics and Language (1944): Stevenson’s contributions expanded emotivism as a comprehensive ethical theory, highlighting the role of emotions in moral language.
  • R.M. Hare’s The Language of Morals (1952): Hare’s work further developed emotivist principles, particularly focusing on the use of moral language and its connection to emotions.
Core Arguments:
  • Ethical statements, including those within literature, serve as expressions of emotions and attitudes, rather than representing objective moral truths.
  • In literary analysis, examining the emotional and ethical motivations of authors and characters enriches our understanding of the work’s moral and emotional dimensions.
  • Emotivist Theory provides a valuable perspective for exploring how literature elicits emotional responses and shapes ethical viewpoints through its narrative, characters, and language.

Emotivist Theory in literature enhances the appreciation of the emotional and moral complexities in literary texts, underlining the subjective nature of ethical judgments within them.

Principles of Emotivist Theory in Literature

Emotivism is based on several key principles. Here are main principles of emotivist theory:

PrincipalDetail ExplanationExample from Short Stories
SubjectivityEmotivism emphasizes the subjective nature of moral and emotional judgments. It sees them as expressions of personal emotions or attitudes rather than objective facts.In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, readers’ emotional responses may vary based on their personal attitudes towards tradition, violence, and conformity.
EmotionEmotivism places a strong emphasis on emotions as the basis for moral and emotional judgments. It prioritizes personal emotions over reason or logic.In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” the intense emotions experienced by the unreliable narrator strongly influence the reader’s perception of the story’s events.
ExpressivismEmotivism is also known as expressivism because it views moral and emotional judgments as expressions of personal feelings or attitudes, not objective descriptions.In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” the protagonist’s emotional reaction to the news of her husband’s death reflects the author’s exploration of freedom and societal constraints.
EvaluationEmotivism, despite its focus on subjectivity, allows for the evaluation of moral and emotional judgments. It advocates assessing them for consistency and coherence.In James Joyce’s “Araby,” readers can critically evaluate the protagonist’s emotional journey and its implications on his understanding of love, disillusionment, and adulthood.
Suggested Readings
  1. Ayer, Alfred J. Language, Truth, and Logic. 2nd ed. New York: Dover, 1946.
  2. Blackburn, Simon. Spreading the Word: Groundings in the Philosophy of Language. Oxford: Clarendon, 1984.
  3. Ebbersmeyer, Sabrina. Emotional minds: the passions and the limits of pure inquiry in early modern philosophy. de Gruyter, 2012.
  4. Hare, Richard M. The Language of Morals. Oxford: Clarendon, 1952.
  5. Mackie, J. L. Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford UP, 1990.
  6. Oatley, Keith. Emotion: A Brief History. Wiley-Blackwell, 2004.
  7. Stevenson, Charles L. Ethics and Language. New Haven: Yale UP, 1944.

Biographical Criticism in Literature

Biographical criticism in Literature, while not a distinct literary theory in itself, is regarded as a valuable method or approach to literary analysis.

Introduction to Biographical Criticism in Literature

Biographical criticism in Literature, while not a distinct literary theory in itself, is regarded as a valuable method or approach to literary analysis. This approach centers on delving into the author’s life and personal experiences, with the ultimate goal of comprehending how these aspects have influenced their literary work. In the process, Biographical criticism in Literature seeks to establish meaningful connections between the author’s biography and various elements within the literary text, such as themes, characters, or events. Frequently, this approach is employed in tandem with other literary theories to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of both the work and the author behind it.

Criticism Against Biographical Criticism in Literature
  1. Reductionism: Biographical criticism in literature often reduces complex literary works to the author’s personal life experiences and beliefs, overlooking the richness and depth of the text itself.
  2. Subjectivity: Interpretations based on an author’s biography can be highly subjective, leading to varying and sometimes contradictory analyses of the same literary work.
  3. Ignoring Intertextuality: Biographical criticism in literature tends to overlook the influence of other texts, cultural contexts, and historical events on a work, neglecting the interconnectedness of literature.
  4. Neglecting Authorial Intent: Assuming that an author’s personal life directly correlates with their literary creations ignores the possibility of intentional artistic choices and fictional representations.
  5. Disregarding Multiple Meanings: Biographical critics may prioritize one interpretation based on the author’s life, neglecting the potential for multiple valid readings and interpretations of a single work.
  6. Overemphasis on Author’s Identity: Focusing solely on the author’s identity can lead to essentialism, stereotyping, and limiting interpretations of their work based on gender, race, or social background.
  7. Anachronism: Projecting modern-day ideologies and values onto historical authors through Biographical criticism in Literature can lead to misinterpretations and anachronistic readings.
  8. Inaccessibility of Author Information: In some cases, little biographical information is available about an author, making it challenging to apply this approach consistently.
  9. Dismissal of Anonymous or Collaborative Works: Biographical criticism in literature faces limitations when dealing with anonymous or collaboratively authored works, as the focus on individual authors becomes problematic.
  10. Neglecting Formal and Aesthetic Elements: By concentrating on the author’s life, biographical criticism in literature may neglect the formal and aesthetic aspects that contribute to the overall meaning and impact of a literary work.

It’s essential to remember that while Biographical criticism in literature has its critics, literary analysis is enriched when different approaches, such as historical, formal, or cultural criticism, are used in conjunction to gain a comprehensive understanding of a work’s significance.

Examples of Biographical criticism in Literature
Work and AuthorExplanation of Biographical criticism in Literature
The Life of Samuel Johnson by James BoswellJames Boswell uses Biographical criticism in literature to explore the relationship between Samuel Johnson’s life experiences and his literary works. Boswell argues that Johnson’s struggles with depression and loneliness peep through his writing, particularly in his essays on melancholy. This approach seeks to draw connections between the author’s emotions and experiences and the themes and motifs present in his works.
T.S. Eliot: The Man and His Work by Allen TateTate uses Biographical criticism in literature to examine the connection between T.S. Eliot’s personal life and his poetry. Tate suggests that Eliot’s difficult upbringing and experiences during World War I influenced his poetry, particularly in terms of themes of disillusionment and despair. This approach aims to understand how an author’s life events and traumas might find expression in his artistic creations.
The Brontë Myth by Lucasta MillerLucasta Miller uses Biographical criticism in literature to analyze the popular image of the Brontë sisters as isolated and reclusive figures. She argues that this image is based on a misreading of their biographies and works, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of their lives to appreciate their writing. This approach examines the misinterpretation and stereotypes surrounding an author’s life, emphasizing the need to look beyond preconceived notions to grasp the true essence of their literary contributions.
The Secret Life of Oscar Wilde by Neil McKennaNeil McKenna applies Biographical criticism in literature to explore the connection between Oscar Wilde’s personal life and his literary works. McKenna contends that Wilde’s homosexuality and experiences as a gay man in Victorian England significantly influenced his writing, particularly in works of satire and social commentary. This approach delves into an author’s identity and social context to illuminate how their lived experiences may manifest in their creative output.
Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Avant-Garde by Christine FroulaChristine Froula uses Biographical criticism in literature to examine the relationship between Virginia Woolf’s personal life and her literary works. Froula argues that Woolf’s struggles with mental illness and complex relationships within the Bloomsbury Group are reflected in her writing, particularly in her novels Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse. This approach seeks to understand how an author’s psychological and interpersonal experiences can shape the themes and narrative techniques in their literary works.

In these examples, Biographical criticism in literature is used as a lens to better understand the authors’ lives and how those experiences may have influenced their literary creations.

Keywords in Biographical Criticism in Literature
  1. Authorial Intention: The deliberate meaning or message intended by the author in their literary work, encompassing the purposeful use of language, symbolism, and narrative choices to convey specific ideas or themes.
  2. Biography: The comprehensive life history and experiences of the author, which may encompass personal background, cultural upbringing, and significant life events that may have influenced their writing.
  3. Context: The intricate interplay of historical, cultural, and social circumstances surrounding the author and the literary work, shaping the creation and reception of the text within a broader framework.
  4. Influence: The multifaceted impact of individuals, events, and ideas on the author’s life and creative process, potentially shaping the content, style, and themes explored in their literary output.
  5. Psychology: The exploration of the author’s personality, emotions, and underlying motivations in relation to their literary work, often investigating how the writer’s psyche might manifest in the narrative and character development.
  6. Reception: The varied and dynamic responses of readers, critics, and the wider public to the literary work, encompassing reviews, interpretations, and cultural significance over time.
  7. Subjectivity: The recognition that literary interpretation is inherently subjective, influenced by the critic’s individual biases, perspectives, and cultural background, which can lead to diverse and contrasting analyses of the same text.
  8. Textuality: The analytical study of the literary work as an autonomous and self-contained entity, separate from the author’s biography and external factors, to better understand its internal coherence, language choices, and artistic merits.
  9. Theme: The fundamental and underlying meaning or message conveyed by the literary work, recurring throughout the narrative and often reflecting universal or societal truths.
  10. Voice: The distinctive style, tone, and artistic expression in the author’s writing, shaped by their unique life experiences and personal history, which contributes to the individuality and authenticity of the literary work.
Suggested Readings about Biographical Criticism in Literature
  1. Leitch, Vincent B. American Literary Criticism since the 1930s. Routledge, 2010.
  2. Makaryk, Irena R., editor. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Literary Theory: Approaches, Scholars, Terms. University of Toronto Press, 1993.
  3. Perkins, David. A History of Modern Poetry: Modernism and After. Harvard University Press, 1987.
  4. Perloff, Marjorie. The Dance of the Intellect: Studies in the Poetry of the Pound Tradition. Northwestern University Press, 1985.
  5. Seyersted, Per. Kate Chopin: A Critical Biography. Louisiana State University Press, 1980.
  6. Smith, Sidonie, and Julia Watson. Reading Autobiography: A Guide for Interpreting Life Narratives. University of Minnesota Press, 2010.
  7. Spender, Dale. Telling Tales: Autobiographies of Childhood and Youth. Harvard University Press, 2001.

Biographical Criticism in Literature & Theory

Biographical criticism is a literary analysis that examines an author’s life experiences and personal background to gain insights in writing.

Introduction: Biographical Criticism

Biographical criticism is a literary analysis approach that examines an author’s life experiences and personal background to gain insights into their creative works. It seeks to establish connections between the author’s biography and their literary output, exploring how events, relationships, and cultural influences may have shaped their writing.

This critical method can offer valuable context for understanding an author’s motivations, thematic choices, and the societal milieu in which their work was produced. However, it is important to exercise caution, as it can oversimplify the relationship between an author’s life and their literary creations, potentially neglecting other factors influencing their work. It means;

  • It is not a distinct literary theory
  • It is considered a method or approach to literary analysis
  • It focuses on the author’s life and personal experiences
  • It aims to understand the influence of the author’s life on their work
  • It examines connections between the biography and themes, characters, or events in the literary text
  • It is often used in conjunction with other literary theories for a more comprehensive understanding of a work or author
Biographical Criticism: Origin, Key Theorists, Works, and Arguments
Origin of Biographical Criticism:
  • Emergence: Biographical criticism is one of the oldest forms of literary analysis, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, where the lives of poets and writers were studied alongside their works.
Key Theorists in Biographical Criticism:
  • Samuel Johnson (1709-1784): An English literary critic, essayist, and poet, Johnson emphasized the importance of understanding an author’s life and experiences to interpret their work effectively.
  • Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881): A Scottish essayist, Carlyle promoted the Great Man Theory asserting that the lives of exceptional individuals greatly influence the course of history and culture.
  • Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): The founder of psychoanalysis, Freud’s theories about the unconscious mind and the influence of an author’s personal experiences on their creative works have had a significant impact on biographical criticism.
Key Works in Biographical Criticism:
  • Lives of the Poets by Samuel Johnson: In this work, Johnson provided biographical sketches of several poets, emphasizing how their lives and circumstances shaped their poetic output.
  • On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History by Thomas Carlyle: Carlyle’s lectures and essays explore the concept of heroism and how the lives of great individuals impact culture and history.
  • The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud: While not exclusively focused on literature, Freud’s ideas about the unconscious mind and dream analysis have influenced the biographical interpretation of literary works.
Key Arguments in Biographical Criticism:
  • Authorial Intent: Biographical critics argue that understanding an author’s life, experiences, and intentions can provide insights into the meaning and themes of their literary works.
  • Psychological Analysis: This approach often delves into the author’s psyche, exploring how their personal traumas, desires, and conflicts manifest in their writing.
  • Contextualization: Biographical criticism seeks to place an author within their historical, cultural, and social context to better comprehend the influences on their work.
  • Comparative Analysis: Biographical critics may compare an author’s life with their literary output, looking for parallels, contrasts, or moments of self-revelation.
  • Critique and Controversy: Biographical criticism has faced criticism itself for oversimplifying complex works, reducing them to mere reflections of an author’s life, and neglecting the autonomy of the text.

Biographical criticism continues to be a valuable tool for literary analysis, but it is often used in conjunction with other critical approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a literary work.

Principals of Biographical Criticism
PrincipleExplanationExample
Author-Centric FocusIt centers on the life and experiences of the author as a key lens for interpreting their literary works.Analyzing Shakespeare’s sonnets in the context of his life and relationships.
Authorial IntentIt assumes that understanding an author’s intentions, beliefs, and personal background is essential for grasping the meaning and motivations behind their writing.Interpreting George Orwell’s 1984 through his experiences during World War II.
Biographical ContextIt seeks to place the author within their historical, cultural, and social context, considering how external factors may have influenced their creative output.Examining Jane Austen’s novels within the societal norms of 19th-century England.
Psychological AnalysisBiographical critics explore the author’s psyche, delving into their emotions, traumas, desires, and conflicts to identify connections between their life experiences and their writing.Analyzing Sylvia Plath’s poetry in light of her struggles with mental health.
Comparative AnalysisIt often involves comparing elements of the author’s life with themes, characters, or events in their literary works to uncover potential correlations or sources of inspiration.Comparing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life and the character of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby.
Influence of Life EventsIt contends that significant life events, such as personal tragedies or triumphs, can shape an author’s perspective and consequently influence their writing.Examining how J.K. Rowling’s life experiences influenced the themes in the Harry Potter series.
Autobiographical ElementsIt looks for autobiographical elements within the text, considering whether the author may have embedded aspects of their own life story within their work.Identifying Mark Twain’s own adventures in the character of Huckleberry Finn.
Interdisciplinary ApproachBiographical criticism may draw from fields such as psychology, sociology, and history to enrich the analysis of an author’s life and its impact on their writing.Using historical records and psychological theories to analyze Charles Dickens’ works.
Critique and ControversyWhile valuable, this approach is not without criticism, as it can oversimplify complex works and neglect the autonomy of the text by reducing it to a mere reflection of the author’s life.Examining debates around whether Hemingway’s works can be entirely explained by his life experiences.
Multiple InterpretationsBiographical criticism acknowledges that an author’s life is just one lens through which a work can be analyzed, and it often complements other critical approaches to achieve a more comprehensive understanding.Combining biographical analysis with feminist theory to interpret Virginia Woolf’s writings.
Suggested Readings
  1. Abrams, M. H. The Mirror and the Lamp: Romantic Theory and the Critical Tradition. Oxford University Press, 1953.
  2. Bloom, Harold. The Anxiety of Influence: A Theory of Poetry. Oxford University Press, 1973.
  3. Cixous, Hélène. Coming to Writing and Other Essays. Translated by Sarah Cornell and Susan Sellers, Harvard University Press, 1991.
  4. Johnson, Samuel. Lives of the Poets. Edited by Roger Lonsdale, Oxford University Press, 2006.
  5. Lejeune, Philippe. On Autobiography. Translated by Katherine Leary, University of Minnesota Press, 1989.
  6. Showalter, Elaine. A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Brontë to Lessing. Princeton University Press, 1977.
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Ruth and the Hijackers by Bapsi Sidhwa: Postcoloniality

Language, identity and cultural mores are three important aspects of the culture of a colony in postcolonial studies such as in “Ruth and the Hijackers”

Introduction to”Ruth and the Hijackers”

Language, identity and cultural mores are three important aspects of the culture of a colony in postcolonial studies such as in Ruth and the Hijackers”. Colonization, argues Ngugi, robs a person of language and ultimately culture of a person, for language carries “the entire body of values,” which are lost with the loss of language (05). In the same way, identity is destroyed when nationalism and imperialism lock horns, and alterity comes into play due to deeper typological domination of the imperialistic episteme where race plays an integral part (Suleri 11-12). In the midst of this struggle of language and identity, cultural mores, the major product of both cultures, takes hold of the situations very often. The story of Ruth, an American national, living in the Lahore cantonment area shows these important traits of postcolonial literature. However, one more thing that strikes the reader and makes him rather baffled is the resistance of the local cultural representatives, and the pliant nature of Ruth, the imperial representative, in “Ruth and the Hijackers”.

Language and Culture in “Ruth and the Hijackers”

As far as the impact of language on a culture and values is concerned, “Ruth and the Hijackers” shows this through Raj Roy and the elite class ladies who are engaged in various activities in clubs that Ruth visits. The language ordinarily spoken in clubs and at every other social spot is that of the colonial power.  It has become a habit for the Pakistanis to have a “penchant for calling people with initials” and even an inspector of the ISI was speaking English that Ruth says was better than she expected. “He spoke better English, “she says (Sidhwa 68) but then comes the very interesting moment that does not need elaboration. Billo has taken up English as her second language from her “memsahib” (59, 68, 69). She does not speak English but tells her employer, Ruth, what to do when a man enters their home, or what not to do in such circumstances. This adoption of the language of the master, however, is not being used to “dismantle the house of the masters” in the Lordian phrase (01). Rather, it is being used to feel proud at as well as for identity formation.

Identity in “Ruth and the Hijackers”

Where identity is concerned, Ruth also makes it clear to Raj Roy at the very start of the story as well as to ISI boy, Junaid Akhtar, that she is from America at the attitude of both of them changes. This is her first attempt at identity formation. However, conversely, Junaid, though, is a bit insolent, tries his best to adopt the language of his last masters and uses it to dislodge Ruth’s identity but still stops short of using the Lordian argument (01). However, the use of the English language makes it clear that this language is merely vehicle of information or to impress the new master, Ruth.  The excuse for this impressing upon the new master is the presence of “an Indian woman” that is anathema to the Pakistani psyche at that time (Sidhwa 68). However, it gets very interesting that the identity that Junaid tries to form evaporates ine thin air as soon as Billo uses the same language to confront him with an entrenched cultural more (69). This confrontation of the imperial language to represent the local cultural more is interesting, as it ultimately saves the new master from embarrassment.

Hybridity and “Ruth and the Hijackers”

The important point of cultural more is that they depict the hybridity; a fine amalgamation of the local tradition of not letting the men enter homes when the owner of the home is not at home. This, Ruth, as a foreigner, does not know. However, Billo is very well aware, and though her linguistic ability does not surpass Ruth, but her knowledge of this specific cultural more saves her landlady. That is why Ruth has a good “appreciation of Billo’s overbearing and meddling ways” (Sidhwa 74). She knows that it is her unawareness of the cultural mores that could cost her dearly in a situation where a paranoid security man is hellbent on making her look like an accused. This hybridity that Bhabha has stated as the state of “ambivalence” has tendency towards an imperialistic attitude, the reason that her Americanness has been graced by the person in power, the retired general. The most interesting is Ruth’s attitude in the story “Ruth and the Hijackers.”

Conclusion

This attitude of the imperial representative to the new imperceptible and invisible colony is imperio-spora . This term implies depicting the colonial attitude of the representative of the new imperialism as somewhat ambivalent that is not domineering and respectful to the local cultural more until it protects. Ruth saves herself through Billo but with the tool provided by Ruth; the language. It, however, is another thing that Ruth has to accept the authority of the apparatus of the state but has to leave her colonial authority in the shape of language; the remains of the old British Raj which she sees very much in the Lahore cantonment. In other words, “Ruth and the Hijackers” amply shows postcoloniality through language, identity, and cultural more.

Works Cited
  1. Bhabha, Homi K. “”Signs Taken for Wonders” — Hybridity and Resistance. The Postcolonial Web. http://www.postcolonialweb.org/poldiscourse/bhabha/bhabha4.html. Accessed on 17 April 2018.
  2. Lorde, Audre. “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House.” UCLA. n. d. http://bixby.ucla.edu/journal_club/Lorde_s2.pdf. Accessed on 17 Apr. 2018.
  3. Suleri, Sara. The Rhetoric of English India. University of Chicago Press: Chicago. 1992.
  4. Wa Thiong’ O’ Ngugi. Decolonizing the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature. East African Publishers, 1992.
Relevant Questions about”Ruth and the Hijackers” by Bapsi Sidhwa
  1. How does “Ruth and the Hijackers” by Bapsi Sidhwa explore the postcolonial identity and the impact of colonialism on its characters and setting?
  2. In what ways does the novel, “Ruth and the Hijackers,” reflect or challenge traditional postcolonial literary themes, such as cultural hybridity, resistance, or the legacy of colonialism?
  3. Can you discuss the role of gender and power dynamics in “Ruth and the Hijackers” and how they intersect with postcolonial themes in the story?
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Racism in Othello by Shakespeare

Othello, the most innocent tragedy where deus ex machina does not appear, has become perhaps the most controversial in terms of racial discrimination and prejudice as shown through this analysis about Racism in Othello.

Introduction to Racism in Othello

Othello, the most innocent tragedy where deus ex machina does not appear, has become perhaps the most controversial in terms of racial discrimination and prejudice as shown through this analysis about racism in Othello. Even the most modern performances and readings of Othello have elicited such responses where race and its associated features are given a prominent place. Writing on the performance of Othello in America, Kevin Young has discussed the question of racial hatred, racial prejudice and the performance of Othello. However, he has used a very pointed argument saying “Othello was a handy sobriquet when white Americans needed a metaphor for b**ck criminal behavior (41). This shows that racial hatred is deep-seated in the very psyche of white people, for Young has listed various newspaper reviews of the performance of Othello to come to the conclusion that, in fact, it is the white supremacy in America that has created this version of meanings regarding Shakespeare and his creation, Othello. In fact, racism in Othello has various dimensions including the Othellophilia and alienation and isolation as its psychological impacts. 

Racism in Othello: Difference

Othello and its modern performances and readings have elicited diverse responses. If compared to two diverse responses, Martin Okrin says that South African and European visions differ regarding racism in Othello. He alleges that this is purely a Eurocentric concept and in the case of Othello, it is even English Eurocentric that Elizabethan audiences in English used to experience racism and attributes b**ckness with “barbarous, treacherous, libidinous, and jealous” (167) behavioral qualities. That is why Iago uses racial slurs against Othello in the early scenes such as “the Moor” (I. i. 57) which is used against the aliens and then “the thick lips” (I.i. 66) which is specifically used against the b**ck men. Both of these terms show barbarity that is associated with Moorish people and then libidinous attribute that is associated with sexual dominance. He even uses “an old b**ck race” (I. i. 88), which shows prejudicial behavior existing in English and English audiences at that time. In other words, Martin Okrin’s point is correct that this is an English Eurocentric view about racism. However, this is specifically associated with the b**ck color, another perspective of Othello that is still prevalent.

Racism in Othello: Color

B**ck color is associated with various bad behavioral traits but first, this b**ckness is considered the foundation of bad behavioral traits as Kader Mutlu has argued in his paper that in Othello, “the portrait of race and being b**ck can be seen more explicitly (136). He is of the view that the hatred in the heart of Iago is due to b**ckness. However, the marriage of Othello to Desdemona, a white woman, further intensifies this hatred, leading him to utter entirely racial slurs as pointed out earlier (136). In other words, he means that this inter-racial marriage that has caused Iago to feel jealousy and hence weaves plots against Othello, leading to his downfall. It means that inter-racial marriage is another perspective of racism in Othello.

Racism in Othello as Othellophilia

A very interesting point has cropped up in the book of Celia Dialeader which she has penned down on racism with reference to Othellophilia or “Othello Myth” saying that it means love or marriage between a b**ck man and b**ck woman. In her review of the book, Christy Desmety has praised Celia Dialeader saying that this is the first time that Celia Dialeader has raised this point with reference to inter-racial marriages (281). She argues that Celia means that such marriages in canonical narratives involve white women with b**ck men. In other words, she states that this inter-racial sexual interest and ensuing social prejudice is less with men than with white women. She has, in fact, singled out white women and their perception of b**ck men and the projection of their sexuality (281). It is very interesting that she has drawn rather a positive point of racial attraction rather than racial prejudice; nevertheless, it is associated with racism. However, the negative point of alienation has been ignored by her.

Impacts of Racism in Othello

Racism and racial hatred or prejudice cause the subject to feel various psychological issues including but not limited to alienation. Alpaslan Toker has termed this as “racial alienation” (33) with reference to Othello after deducing it from various theoretical studies regarding Othello. He has concluded that alienation, in fact, is a “mode of experience in which the person experiences himself as an alien” (33). Commenting on it further, he further says that a person suffering from such alienation often becomes estranged from his own personality (33). In other words, he means that Othello is feeling alienation in the Venetian society which makes him “estranged from himself” (33). However, Toker refers to Roderigo’s words against Othello to prove his argument that his an outsider and is considered of “here and everywhere” (qtd. Toker 33). Touching on the systematic study of the Orient as Orientalism, he concludes that though different interpretations of Othello exist, “the question of race is at the heart of the play” (36). However, he has not concluded that even racism has a multiplicity of perspectives which has made Othello as memorable and controversial as Hamlet is.

Conclusion

Briefly stating, it could be concluded this racism has not been compartmentalized vis-à-vis its associated behavioral traits of the racial victims or the attraction of the white women. Even the modern-day interpretations are so much diverse that they have also the tinge of the same old English Eurocentric vision as Kevin Young has written in his review of Othello in America. Celia Dialeader’s Othellophilia has taken another direction that is about the white women and racism in Othello, a markedly different but significantly positive point. However, the rest of the psychological issues such as alienation and subsequent estrangement of the victim itself point to the strangulation of Desdemona by Othello and his own final suicide. In fact, he wins positivity through marrying Desdemona but could not contain his own self-estrangement which makes him an assassin as well as a murderer. Finally, the prevalent racism in Venice forces him to end his own life.

Works Cited
  1. Desmet, Christy. “Racism, Misogyny, and the ‘Othello’ Myth: Inter-Racial Couples from Shakespeare to Spike Lee.” Medieval & Renaissance Drama in England, vol. 20, Jan. 2007, pp. 281–284. EBSCOhost, url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=26650487&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
  2. Mutlu, Kader. “Racism in Othello.” Journal of History, Culture and Art Research, vol. 2, no. 2. Jun. 2013. DOI: 10.7596/taksad.v2i2.243.
  3. Orkin, Martin. “Othello and the ‘Plain Face’ Of Racism.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 38, no. 2, 1987, pp. 166–188. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2870559.
  4. Toker, Alpaslan. “Othello: Alien in Venice.” Journal of Academic Studies, vol. 15, no. 60, Feb. 2014, pp. 29–51. EBSCOhost, url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=95380257&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
  5. Young, Kevin. “Not Just B**ck or White.” Canadian Musician, vol. 39, no. 4, July 2018, pp. 49–56. EBSCOhost, url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=131039605&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Relevant Questions about Racism in Othello
  1. How does Othello’s experience with racism in the play influence his actions and decisions, and what impact does it have on the unfolding of the plot?
  2. In what ways does Iago exploit racial stereotypes and prejudice to manipulate characters and advance his schemes in Othello?
  3. How does Shakespeare’s portrayal of racism in Othello reflect the societal attitudes and biases of the time in which the play was written, and what insights does it offer into the broader issue of racism?
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Phaedra’s Speech

Phaedra, a masterpiece character by Racine, creates multidimensional emotions among her readers which include pity as well as fear, love and sympathy, pardon as well as the element of remorse and horror due to Phaedra’s speech.

Introduction to Phaedra’s Speech

Phaedra, a masterpiece character by Racine, creates multidimensional emotions among her readers which include pity as well as fear, love and sympathy, pardon as well as the element of remorse and horror due to Phaedra’s speech.  In every scene, she changes herself very quickly. She transforms from a mother who hates to a mother who extremely loves. Then suddenly, she is transformed into a queen who feels remorseful. Such great changes really put the readers in an amazing situation as and when they observe her changing character. Both kinds of feelings such as sympathy and horror are attached to Phaedra of Racine as are found in Seneca. Her final speech, to a great extent, atones for her evil acts; it also does not lessen the intensity of the crime she has carried out. It has lowered the graph of hatred which rose higher due to her crime in the different parts of the drama. She knows about her acts and hence feels regret. She also thinks that perhaps she may have been cursed for that and it could be an important thing in anyone’s character and role. Racine’s intention is to demonstrate through Phaedra’s speech that man is no longer a greate figure and that he is very much successful.

Phaedra’s Speech and Its Purpose

In fact, there is a possibility that Racine might have thought well before giving this speech, however, it happened to be the king himself who instigated her or Racine might have herself thought of atoning for his character in order for the tragedy to become so touching and poignant. In the last scene, the king looks at his son’s ruins “ But he is dead; accept your victim; / Rightly or wrongly slain, let your heart leap: / For joy” (Phaedra, Act V Scene VII Lines 3-5).  It inspires her to say what was real and hence she says before him, “ Theseus, I cannot hear you and keep silence: / I must repair the wrong that he has suffer’d— / Your son was innocent.” (Act V Scene VII Lines 24-26). Phaedra’s speech shows her open admission that she was not able to win the confidence of the lord king who thought her to be trustworthy and disapproved his son instead. He said about him himself, “ And it was on your word that I condemn’d him! “ (Act V Scene VII line 28).

Impact of Phaedra’s Speech on Her Persona

 Her character increases its attraction among the readers when Phaedra’s speech exposes her. She controls her feelings all the time.  When Oenone comes with a plan, she does not at once go for executing it, Phaedra often does not do that, rather she gets ready to do that.  In the last speech, it is clear what she wants to say “Moments to me are precious; hear me, Theseus “ (Act V Scene VII line 30) proving that she wants herself to be heard about her true nature. If we compare emotions, it shows Hippolytus’ character as well as inner self via self-confession because she says, “ Twas I who cast an eye of lawless passion” (Act V Scene VII line 31)  compared to “chaste and dutiful Hippolytus” (Act V Scene VII line 32) explicates her complete understanding about what she is doing. This admission of crimes shows that her conversation does not create wrong perception among the readers as were shown in the previous acts. Basically, this makes her morally good as she is about to die but tries to withstand the enticement and temptations which she had to confront. There are some other powers which also work to bring about her destruction “ Heav’n in my bosom kindled baleful fire” (Act V Scene VII line 32) In fact she means to say that she has not done that but the fate has done that and the gods have brought about her condemnation.  In the words of Lear, she is to a greater extent “sinned against the sinner”. She, in other words looks to be gods’, destiny’s and genetics’ curse. The first outside force is “heaven” while the second is “my weakness” (Act V Scene VII line 37) that inspired Oenone, her government to exploit and manipulate her, and this was very late when she came to know because she blamed Oenone that “ She took, and hasten’d to accuse him first” (Act V Scene VII line 39). She does not lack courage to disclose her intention of committing suicide before taking action on it and approached him to let him know the reason of the things which occured and how far his son proved to be someone different quite different in from his preconceived picture. Her words show how courageous she is:

 “I resolved to die

In a more lingering way, confessing first      

My penitence to you.” (Act V Scene VII lines 43-45)

There is the third power working behind the scene. It is the force of her defiled legacy and she seems to be condemned to function in a way which displays her character a bit whimsical which is more money oriented but she controls herself when she comes to know about her conduct. The reality is that her attendant provokes her to do what she may not do while being alone. She even leveled a charge against Oenone who quickly accepted death to get rid of death which she talked about in her speech and also her grace and grandeur which caused several heroes and heroine to ruins.

Phaedra’s Speech and Her Psychological State

The present speech discusses her psychological state which may indicate her delicate and fragile nature, though we see an element of fate working behind as well. In the newspapers, we often find such stories where the real characters are helpless before their passions. As far as she is concerned her case is different. She makes a confession and makes an effort to check herself. This control and confession in fact ultimately indicates her ill psychological condition. She prepares to follow the scheme given by Oenone with a little hesitation. It could have averted the tragedy while the tragedy would have become more touching if everyone taking part in the tragedy had died in front of the king.

Conclusion

At the end, it seems that a kind of mental infliction is there in which she suffers. The reason perhaps is that she grows in her bosom a love that is not allowed but considered a sin. Nevertheless, her last speech does show that she hesitated and was reluctant in carrying out this act to the end and even she was hesitant in making this thing public. It was Oenone, her confidant who asked her to do what she should have avoided. Therefore, we see that her feeble mind was influenced by the outer forces and therefore she brought about her own destruction and the destruction of her family. The story, though, has a mythological perspective, the purpose of Racine through Phaedra’s speech seems to present her as a woman icon who has a humane nature and a kind heart and at the same time having frailty as is attributed by Shakespeare discussed in Hamlet, a masterpiece in which Hamlet calls women as frail creatures.

Works Cited
  1. Racine, Jean. Phædra. Translated by Robert Bruce Boswell. Vol. XXVI, Part 3. The Harvard Classics. New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14; Bartleby.com, 2001. www.bartleby.com/26/3/.
Relevant Questions about Phaedra’s Speech in Phaedra by Recine
  1. How does Phaedra’s confession speech advance the plot and reveal her inner turmoil in the play “Phaedra”?
  2. What internal conflicts and moral dilemmas does Phaedra’s speech highlight, and how do they shape her character’s development?
  3. What literary techniques and rhetorical devices are employed in Phaedra’s speech to convey her emotions and add depth to the narrative in “Phaedra” by Euripides?
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