Taboos in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Taboos

The word “taboos” originate from the Polynesian languages of the South Pacific, particularly Tongan and Maori.

Captain James Cook, the British explorer, introduced it to the English language during his late 18th-century voyages. In Polynesian languages, “taboo” (or “tapu”) referred to sacred or prohibited things, actions, or places.

Cook used the term to describe cultural practices and restrictions he encountered, and it gradually became part of English. It now broadly signifies socially or culturally unacceptable topics, actions, or practices due to moral, religious, or societal norms, while its etymology reflects its historical association with prohibitions and cultural boundaries.

Meanings of Taboos

Aspect	Meaning
Narrative Constraints	Societal or cultural restrictions on narrative content, addressing sensitive or controversial topics.
Subversion and Provocation	Deliberate challenges to provoke discussion, critique societal norms.
Symbolism and Metaphor	Use of taboos to symbolize deeper themes, emotions, or social dynamics.
Reader Response	Elicitation of strong emotional reactions from readers, exploring individual responses.
Cultural Significance	Insights into cultural and societal contexts, reflecting values and beliefs.
Censorship and Banning	Works facing censorship due to content, affecting freedom of expression.
Psychological Exploration	Exploration of human psyche and boundaries of behavior through taboo themes.
Moral Dilemmas	Narratives presenting ethical dilemmas and consequences of breaking norms.
Transgressive Literature	Genre pushing boundaries of acceptable content to disturb or unsettle readers.
Catharsis and Reflection	Opportunities for reader catharsis and deeper understanding of human experiences.

Definition of Taboos as a Theoretical Term

Taboos, as a theoretical term, refer to culturally or socially enforced prohibitions or restrictions on specific behaviors, actions, topics, or practices that are considered morally, religiously, or socially unacceptable within a given society or community.

These often reflect deeply ingrained societal norms and values, and their transgression can result in various forms of censure or punishment. In the realm of literary and cultural theory, they are analyzed for their role in shaping narratives, representations, and societal boundaries, revealing the complex interplay between culture, power, and individual expression.

Taboos: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorist	Key Works	Key Argument
Mary Douglas	– Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concepts of Pollution and Taboo (1966) – Natural Symbols: Explorations in Cosmology (1970)	Douglas explores the cultural significance, emphasizing their role in maintaining social order by demarcating cultural boundaries. She underscores the symbolic nature of taboos and their influence on societal norms and values. Her work extends to explore how taboos are embedded in cosmological narratives and rituals.
Sigmund Freud	– Totem and Taboo (1913) – The Future of an Illusion (1927)	Freud delves into the origins, linking them to primal instincts and the Oedipal complex, shaping moral and societal norms. He also discusses the role of religion and its taboos in providing security and comfort to individuals, attributing them to human desires and fears.
Emile Durkheim	– The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912)	Durkheim focuses on taboos in religious contexts, emphasizing their role in reinforcing social solidarity and collective consciousness within religious communities. He highlights the sacred nature of taboos and their contribution to maintaining social order.
Michel Foucault	– The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction (1976)	Foucault examines the historical construction of taboos related to sexuality. He challenges traditional views and argues that societal norms and taboos are mechanisms of power and control. His work sheds light on how taboos influence individual behaviors and identities.
René Girard	– Violence and the Sacred (1972) – Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World (1978)	Girard explores the concept of the “sacred” and its connection to taboos, discussing their role in preventing violence in human societies. He introduces the idea of the scapegoating mechanism and offers insights into the cultural and psychological significance of taboos.

These theorists and their works provide comprehensive insights into the study, examining their cultural, psychological, and social dimensions and their profound impact on human societies and individual behavior.

Taboos and Literary Theories

1. Feminist Literary Theory: They related to gender, sexuality, and women’s roles often feature prominently in feminist literary theory. Feminist scholars explore how taboos contribute to the marginalization and oppression of women in literature. They examine how female characters challenge or conform to societal taboos, and they analyze the portrayal topics like rape, menstruation, and reproductive rights.
2. Psychoanalytic Literary Theory: Sigmund Freud’s theories on them and the unconscious mind are integral to psychoanalytic literary theory. Analysts delve into the hidden and repressed aspects of characters’ psyches, often uncovering taboo desires and conflicts. Literary works may symbolically address taboo themes related to sexuality, repression, and family dynamics.
3. Postcolonial Literary Theory: They are relevant in postcolonial literary theory, as they reflect power dynamics and cultural clashes. Scholars explore how colonialism imposed or disrupted indigenous taboos, and they analyze how postcolonial literature addresses the complexities of identity, tradition, and colonial taboos.
4. Queer Theory: Queer theory engages with taboos related to non-normative sexual orientations and gender identities. It examines how literary works challenge or reinforce societal taboos surrounding LGBTQ+ experiences. Queer readings may uncover hidden or coded narratives that subvert heteronormative taboos.
5. Marxist Literary Theory: They are related to class, wealth, and societal inequalities are explored within Marxist literary theory. Scholars analyze how literature reflects and critiques economic taboos and the exploitation of the working class. Taboos surrounding wealth and poverty may shape character dynamics and social critique.
6. Cultural Studies: Cultural studies often address them within the context of cultural norms and values. Scholars examine how literature reflects and challenges taboos related to race, ethnicity, religion, and social customs. They explore how these taboos influence character interactions and plot development.
7. Narrative Theory: Taboos can influence narrative choices and structures. Narrative theorists analyze how authors navigate societal taboos when constructing their stories. They may consider the use of narrative constraints to address sensitive or controversial topics.
8. Reader-Response Theory: They elicit strong emotional responses from readers. Reader-response theorists investigate how readers’ individual beliefs and values affect their reactions to taboo content in literature. They explore the role of taboos in shaping reader interpretations.
9. Postmodern Literary Theory: Postmodernism challenges traditional taboos and conventions. Postmodern literature often deconstructs established norms and engages with taboo themes in innovative ways. It questions the authority of societal taboos and explores the constructed nature of reality.
10. Intersectionality: Taboos related to multiple social identities intersect in intersectional literary theory. Scholars examine how literature portrays the experiences of individuals facing various taboos simultaneously, such as race, gender, class, and sexuality. They analyze how these intersecting taboos shape character identities and narratives.

Taboos in Literary Criticism

1. by Zadie Smith (2000): In White Teeth, Zadie Smith delves into the complex dynamics of multiculturalism, addressing issues of race, identity, and prejudice. A critical examination of the novel can explore how Smith challenges and breaks down societal norms and prejudices, especially in the context of post-colonial Britain. Analyzing characters’ interactions and transformations in the narrative can reveal the ways in which these taboos are confronted and deconstructed.
2. by Margaret Atwood (2000): Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin deals with complex gender roles and power dynamics within a patriarchal society. In your critique, you can explore how Atwood uses narrative devices to subvert traditional gender roles, shedding light on the taboos associated with women’s agency and societal expectations. This can include an analysis of how the female characters navigate and challenge these norms.
3. by Bret Easton Ellis (2000): Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho is notorious for its graphic violence. In your critique, you can explore the social taboo of excessive violence and the moral implications it raises. Consider how the novel forces readers to confront their own discomfort with violence and consumerism. Analyzing the protagonist’s psyche and the society that enables his actions can provide a nuanced understanding of these themes.
4. by Jhumpa Lahiri (2000): Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake explores the challenges of cultural identity and assimilation among immigrants in the United States. In your critique, delve into the social taboos related to assimilation and the tension between preserving one’s cultural heritage and adapting to a new environment. Examine how Lahiri’s characters grapple with these issues and the impact on their sense of self.

When exploring them in literary criticism, it’s important to approach the analysis with sensitivity and empathy, considering both the author’s intentions and the societal context in which the novel was written. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how these taboos are addressed, challenged, or reinforced within the narrative.

Suggested Readings

1. Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality: An Introduction. Vintage Books, 1990.
2. Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents. W.W. Norton & Company, 2010.
3. Lorde, Audre. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches. Crossing Press, 2007.
4. Sontag, Susan. Regarding the Pain of Others. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003.
5. Thompson, E.P. The Making of the English Working Class. Vintage Books, 1966.
6. Unsworth, Barry. Morality Play. Doubleday, 1995.
7. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
8. West, Rebecca. Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey Through Yugoslavia. Penguin, 2007.
9. Winterson, Jeanette. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. Grove Press, 1997.