Paradigm in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Paradigm

The term “paradigm” has its origins in the field of linguistics and was popularized by the American philosopher and historian of science, Thomas Kuhn, in his influential work The Structure of Scientific Revolutions published in 1962.

The word itself traces its roots to the ancient Greek term “paradeigma,” which denotes a “pattern” or “example.” In Kuhn’s context, a paradigm represents the dominant framework or model within a scientific discipline at a given time.

Kuhn’s use of the term highlighted how scientific knowledge and understanding progress through shifts from one paradigm to another often accompanied by revolutionary changes in scientific thought.

With time, “paradigm” has found broader application beyond science. Is now being used in various fields to refer to fundamental concepts, models, or examples that shape and guide thought, practices, and research in a particular discipline or domain.

Meanings of Paradigm

Aspect	Meanings
Narrative Framework	Guiding Structure: In literature, it denotes the overarching narrative structure guiding a specific genre or style. For instance, the hero’s journey serves as a blueprint in adventure and fantasy literature.
Literary Archetypes	Universal Patterns: They encompass universal character types and themes in literature like the “tragic hero” or “innocent maiden,” serving as recognizable patterns for character creation and plot development.
Genre Conventions	Expectations: In literary theory, paradigms encompass genre conventions and expectations, dictating a genre’s form, style, and thematic elements, such as the mystery and resolution paradigms in detective novels.
Structural Analysis	Pattern Recognition: Paradigms are employed in structuralist literary analysis to identify underlying patterns and oppositions within a text, unveiling hidden meanings and relationships.
Interpretive Framework	Analytical Lens: In literary criticism, paradigms provide an analytical lens for exploring a text’s themes, motifs, and symbols, facilitating an understanding of its place in literary traditions.
Comparative Literature	Cross-Cultural Analysis: Paradigms are essential in comparative literature, allowing scholars to examine shared or divergent paradigms across different cultures and time periods, revealing cultural and thematic connections.
Poststructuralist Deconstruction	Critical Examination: In poststructuralist literary theory, paradigms are critically examined and deconstructed, challenging their stability and inherent meanings, and revealing potential for reinterpretation and subversion.

Definition of Paradigm as a Theoretical Term

A paradigm, in theoretical discourse, represents a fundamental model or framework that shapes the understanding, interpretation, and practice within a particular field or discipline.

It serves as a template, guiding the way individuals approach and engage with knowledge, methodologies, and concepts.

Paradigms often entail shared assumptions, methodologies, and norms, providing a foundation for scholarly inquiry and discourse within a specific domain.

Paradigm: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Origin:

• The term “paradigm” finds its etymological roots in the ancient Greek word “paradeigma,” which signifies “pattern” or “example.”
• It gained contemporary significance through the pioneering work of philosopher and historian of science, Thomas Kuhn, in the 20th century.

Key Theorists:

• Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996): Renowned as a philosopher of science, Kuhn introduced and popularized the concept of paradigms through his groundbreaking book, “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” (1962).
• Imre Lakatos (1922-1974): Another influential philosopher of science, Lakatos further extended and critiqued Kuhn’s ideas, offering his own insights into the nature of scientific research programs, most notably in “The Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes” (1978).

Notable Works:

• The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962) by Thomas Kuhn: This seminal work introduced and elaborated on the concept of paradigms within the context of scientific revolutions, revolutionizing the field of philosophy of science.
• The Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes (1978) by Imre Lakatos: Lakatos expanded upon and critically examined Kuhn’s ideas, proposing that scientific paradigms should be understood as research programs consisting of a core set of principles and a protective belt of auxiliary hypotheses.

Central Arguments:

• Kuhn’s Paradigmatic Shifts: Thomas Kuhn’s groundbreaking argument posits that scientific progress occurs through “paradigm shifts,” wherein dominant scientific frameworks are challenged and replaced by new paradigms, fundamentally altering the accepted knowledge in a field.
• Lakatos’s Research Programmes: Imre Lakatos built upon Kuhn’s concepts by suggesting that scientific paradigms should be conceived as research programs characterized by a stable core set of principles and a flexible protective belt of auxiliary hypotheses that can adapt in response to empirical challenges. Lakatos emphasized the importance of the “progressive” nature of scientific research programs in assessing their validity.

Paradigm and Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance of Paradigm
Structuralism:	Structural Analysis: Structuralist literary theory, influenced by linguistics, examines the underlying structures and patterns in literature. Paradigms are central to this approach as they help identify recurring themes, symbols, and character archetypes within a text. Structuralism emphasizes the formal and structural aspects of literature, revealing hidden meanings through the analysis of paradigms.
Narrative Theory:	Narrative Frameworks: Paradigms are essential in narrative theory, which explores the organization and storytelling techniques in literature. Narrative paradigms, such as the hero’s journey or the Bildungsroman, provide frameworks for understanding the development of characters and plots in narratives. Analyzing narrative paradigms helps uncover the thematic and structural elements that shape a story.
Comparative Literature:	Cross-Cultural Analysis: Comparative literature scholars often use paradigms to compare and contrast literary works from different cultures and time periods. By identifying shared paradigms or variations thereof, they can draw connections and highlight cultural influences on storytelling. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the universality of certain paradigms and their cultural adaptations.
Postcolonial Theory:	Colonial Paradigm Critique: In postcolonial literature and theory, paradigms are examined in the context of cultural and literary colonization. Scholars analyze how colonial paradigms have influenced the narratives and representations of colonized cultures. This critical examination helps reveal the power dynamics and cultural biases embedded in literary texts.
Feminist Literary Theory:	Gender Representation: Paradigms are relevant in discussions of gender and representation within literature. Feminist theorists often scrutinize paradigms that perpetuate gender stereotypes or patriarchal norms. They explore how paradigms shape the portrayal of female characters and the roles assigned to them in literature.
Psychoanalytic Literary Theory:	Psychological Exploration: Psychoanalytic approaches use paradigms to explore the psychological dimensions of literary characters and narratives. Concepts like the Oedipus complex or the hero’s journey are employed to delve into the inner conflicts, desires, and motivations of characters. Paradigms serve as tools for understanding the deep-seated psychological aspects of literature.
Reader-Response Theory:	Reader’s Perspective: Paradigms can influence how readers interpret and engage with texts. Reader-response theorists examine how readers’ prior knowledge and cultural paradigms shape their understanding of literature. This approach acknowledges that readers bring their own paradigms to the reading experience, impacting interpretation.
Poststructuralism and Deconstruction:	Critical Examination: Poststructuralist and deconstructionist theories challenge and deconstruct paradigms, revealing their instability and potential for subversion. These approaches question the fixed meanings and assumptions associated with literary paradigms, emphasizing the fluidity and ambiguity of language and representation.

Paradigm in Literary Criticism

1. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Published in 1861): In Charles Dickens’ British novel Great Expectations, the paradigm of narrative structure plays a central role in the analysis. Critics employ paradigms to uncover the hidden patterns within the narrative. They may identify the bildungsroman paradigm as a framework to understand the protagonist Pip’s character development throughout the story. Additionally, paradigms related to Victorian social criticism are applied to assess how the novel addresses issues of class, ambition, and identity in 19th-century England.
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Published in 1818): When examining Mary Shelley’s British novel Frankenstein, literary critics may employ paradigms to delve into its genre conventions. They explore how the story adheres to or subverts paradigms associated with the Gothic horror genre. For example, the paradigm of scientific hubris is analyzed to understand how the author creates a sense of moral and existential dread. By comparing the novel’s paradigms with established genre expectations, critics evaluate its effectiveness in engaging readers with the ethical and philosophical questions it raises.
3. The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot (Published in 1922): In T.S. Eliot’s British poem The Waste Land, paradigms related to narrative frameworks are applied to analyze its thematic structure. Critics may identify recurring paradigms that shape the poem’s exploration of cultural disillusionment and fragmentation in the aftermath of World War I. Additionally, paradigms within reader-response theory come into play as critics assess how readers’ personal paradigms influence their interpretation of the poem. By considering the interplay of paradigms, critics gain insights into the poem’s layered meanings within the British modernist literary landscape.

Suggested Readings

1. Kuhn, Thomas S. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press, 2012.
2. Lakoff, George, and Mark Johnson. Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press, 2003.
3. Lévi-Strauss, Claude. Structural Anthropology. Basic Books, 1963.
4. Saussure, Ferdinand de. Course in General Linguistics. Open Court, 1986.
5. Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Philosophical Investigations. Blackwell Publishing, 2001.