Idealism in Literature & Literary Theory

Idealism: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “idealism” traces its roots to the German word “Idealismus,” which emerged during the late 18th century. It is derived from the philosophical notion of an “ideal” reality or concept that exists in the mind. The concept gained prominence in German philosophy, notably through the works of Immanuel Kant and later Idealist philosophers like Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.

Meanings and Concept:

• Philosophical Idealism: In philosophy, idealism posits that reality is fundamentally mental or immaterial, asserting that ideas, perceptions, or consciousness play a primary role in constructing the external world.
• Epistemological Idealism: This perspective emphasizes the centrality of ideas and mental constructs in shaping knowledge. It suggests that our understanding of reality is mediated through subjective experiences and interpretations.
• Ethical Idealism: In ethics, idealism refers to the pursuit of high moral principles and the belief in the possibility of achieving an ideal state of society characterized by justice, equality, and moral goodness.
• Political Idealism: In politics, idealism denotes the pursuit of visionary and morally guided policies. Idealist political thinkers often advocate for diplomacy, cooperation, and the realization of ethical goals in international relations.
• Aesthetic Idealism: In the realm of aesthetics, idealism asserts that art and beauty are subjective constructs, shaped by the mind and imagination. It emphasizes the transformative and subjective nature of aesthetic experiences.

Idealism encompasses a range of philosophical and practical perspectives, all connected by the underlying theme that the mind, ideas, or ideals hold a significant place in shaping various aspects of human experience and understanding.

Idealism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Idealism, as a theoretical term, asserts that reality is fundamentally shaped by mental constructs, ideas, or consciousness. It encompasses philosophical perspectives positing that the mind plays a central role in constructing the external world. In various contexts, idealism can refer to epistemological, ethical, political, and aesthetic orientations emphasizing the subjective nature of knowledge, moral principles, governance, and aesthetic experiences.

Idealism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804): Kant was a German philosopher whose work laid the groundwork for transcendental idealism. In his “Critique of Pure Reason,” he argued that certain aspects of reality are shaped by the mind’s inherent structures and categories.
2. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831): A key figure in German Idealism, Hegel expanded on Kant’s ideas. In “The Phenomenology of Spirit” and “Science of Logic,” he developed a dialectical approach, suggesting that reality unfolds through a process of contradictions and synthesis.
3. Bishop Berkeley (1685–1753): An early proponent of subjective idealism, Berkeley argued in works like “A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge” that reality exists only insofar as it is perceived by a conscious mind.
4. Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762–1814): Fichte was another prominent German Idealist who, in works like “Foundations of the Science of Knowledge,” emphasized the role of the individual subject in constituting reality through self-consciousness.

Works:

1. “Critique of Pure Reason” by Immanuel Kant (1781): In this seminal work, Kant explored the nature of human cognition, arguing for transcendental idealism and asserting that certain aspects of reality are shaped by the mind’s a priori structures.
2. “Phenomenology of Spirit” by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1807): Hegel’s magnum opus explores the development of self-consciousness and the evolution of reality through a dialectical process, contributing significantly to the idealist tradition.
3. “A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge” by Bishop Berkeley (1710): Berkeley’s treatise presents his subjective idealist philosophy, arguing that the existence of objects depends on being perceived by a conscious mind.
4. “Foundations of the Science of Knowledge” by Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1794): Fichte’s work delves into subjective idealism, asserting that the individual subject is the ultimate source of reality, actively constructing the world through self-consciousness.

Key Arguments:

1. Transcendental Subjectivity: Idealists, especially Kant and Fichte, argue that reality is mediated through the subject’s cognitive structures, emphasizing the active role of the mind in shaping experience.
2. Dialectical Process: Hegel’s dialectical method posits that reality evolves through a process of contradictions and resolutions, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the idealist worldview.
3. Subjective Construction of Reality: Berkeley’s idealism contends that the existence of objects is contingent upon being perceived, suggesting that the external world is a product of individual consciousness.

Idealist arguments often center around the nature of reality, the role of consciousness, and the subjective elements influencing our understanding of the world.

Idealism: Major Characteristics

1. Subjective Construction of Reality:
   • Literary Reference: In Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” the magical realism of Macondo is constructed subjectively, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
2. Emphasis on Individual Consciousness:
   • Literary Reference: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Notes from Underground” delves into the consciousness of the unnamed narrator, highlighting the subjective nature of experience and the impact of individual thought on perception.
3. Transcendental Idealism:
   • Literary Reference: Immanuel Kant’s influence on literature is evident in the works of Franz Kafka, particularly in “The Trial,” where the mysterious legal system reflects the incomprehensibility of an external reality shaped by the mind.
4. Dialectical Progression:
   • Literary Reference: T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Waste Land” can be interpreted through a Hegelian lens, as it explores the fragmentation and potential synthesis of cultural and individual experiences.
5. Exploration of Utopian Ideals:
   • Literary Reference: Sir Thomas More’s “Utopia” exemplifies the idealist tradition by presenting an imagined society that reflects More’s vision of an ideal socio-political order.
6. Moral and Ethical Idealism:
   • Literary Reference: In Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” the moral development of characters like Elizabeth Bennet reflects an ethical idealism that emphasizes personal growth and moral principles.
7. Critique of Materialism:
   • Literary Reference: Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” critiques materialism as Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a transformation, emphasizing the importance of spiritual values over material pursuits.
8. Representation of Symbolic Realms:
   • Literary Reference: William Blake’s poetry, such as “Songs of Innocence and Experience,” incorporates symbolic realms that transcend the material, embodying an idealist perspective on the interplay between imagination and reality.
9. Idealized Nature:
   • Literary Reference: In the pastoral poetry of the Romantic era, like William Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,” nature is often idealized and serves as a source of spiritual and aesthetic inspiration.
10. Quest for Ideal Love:
11. Literary Reference: The theme of idealized love is prevalent in Shakespeare’s sonnets, where the poet explores the complexities of love, desire, and the pursuit of an idealized emotional connection.

These literary references showcase how idealism, with its emphasis on subjectivity, transcendence, and moral principles, has influenced and been explored in various works of literature across different periods and genres.

Idealism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Idealism
Romanticism	Idealism plays a crucial role, emphasizing the subjective experience, the sublime in nature, and the expression of individual emotions and imagination.
Transcendentalism	Aligns closely with the transcendentalist belief in the inherent goodness of people, the spiritual connection to nature, and the pursuit of higher truths through individual intuition.
Symbolism	Idealism influences symbolism through the use of symbols to convey deeper, spiritual meanings beyond the material world, emphasizing the subjective and transcendent aspects of reality.
Modernism	Idealism is often critiqued in modernist literature, but it still plays a role in exploring the individual’s consciousness, the quest for meaning, and the tension between subjective and objective realities.
Existentialism	While existentialism challenges some aspects of idealism, it shares an interest in individual consciousness, freedom, and the subjective experience of existence.
Postcolonialism	Idealism is examined in postcolonial literature concerning the clash of idealized Western values with indigenous cultures, exploring the impact of colonial ideologies on identity and society.
Feminist Criticism	Idealism is critiqued for historically excluding or idealizing women, but feminist literature engages with idealist themes to challenge societal norms, explore female subjectivity, and envision gender equality.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Idealism intersects with psychoanalysis by delving into the unconscious mind, dreams, and the symbolic representation of desires, contributing to the exploration of the psyche in literature.
Critical Theory	Critical theorists, while often critical of idealism, recognize its influence on literature, especially in shaping cultural values, moral principles, and the interplay between power and ideology.
Postmodernism	Postmodernism challenges the grand narratives of idealism but engages with its themes in deconstructive ways, exploring fragmented subjectivities, the nature of reality, and the impact of language on meaning.

Idealism’s influence is diverse, impacting various literary theories, although its manifestations and critiques vary within each theoretical framework.

Idealism: Application in Critiques

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:
   • Positive Aspect: Austen’s exploration of moral and ethical idealism is evident in the character development of Elizabeth Bennet. The novel emphasizes the importance of personal growth, moral principles, and the pursuit of ideal love.
   • Negative Aspect: Some critics argue that Austen’s portrayal of idealized love and moral values may perpetuate societal norms and expectations, limiting the exploration of more complex, realistic relationships.
2. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez:
   • Positive Aspect: Marquez’s use of magical realism aligns with idealism, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. The novel explores the subjective construction of reality in the magical town of Macondo, emphasizing the power of individual consciousness.
   • Negative Aspect: Critics contend that the reliance on magical elements may distance readers from the novel’s socio-political themes, potentially oversimplifying the complex issues Marquez seeks to address.
3. Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky:
   • Positive Aspect: Dostoevsky’s exploration of the consciousness of the Underground Man aligns with idealism, emphasizing the impact of individual thought on perception. The novel delves into the subjective nature of experience, challenging conventional notions of reality.
   • Negative Aspect: Some critics argue that the novel’s intense focus on individual consciousness may lead to a sense of nihilism and existential despair, potentially limiting its appeal to a broader audience.
4. Utopia by Sir Thomas More:
   • Positive Aspect: More’s work is a classic example of utopian idealism, presenting an imagined society that reflects the author’s vision of an ideal socio-political order. The novel encourages readers to consider the possibilities of an idealized world.
   • Negative Aspect: Critics argue that More’s utopia may be impractical and overly optimistic, neglecting the complexities and challenges inherent in implementing such idealized social structures.

In each critique, the application of idealism offers insights into the themes, characterizations, and societal perspectives presented in the respective works.

Idealism: Relevant Terms

Term	Description
Romanticism	Emphasis on individualism, emotions, and idealized nature.
Transcendentalism	Focus on spiritual connection to nature and higher truths.
Utopianism	Vision of an idealized, perfect society in literature.
Symbolism	Use of symbols for deeper, often spiritual, meanings.
Romantic Realism	Blend of romanticism and realism, exploring ideal and real.
Subjectivism	Emphasis on subjective nature of experience and interpretation.
Nihilism	Rejection or questioning of traditional values and beliefs.
Existentialism	Focus on individual existence, freedom, and subjective reality.
Ethical Idealism	Pursuit of high moral principles and ideal state of ethics.
Romantic Irony	Use of irony to challenge or subvert idealistic themes.

Idealism: Suggested Readings

1. Berkeley, George. A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge. Oxford University Press, 1998.
2. Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Notes from Underground. Vintage, 1994.
3. Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich. Phenomenology of Spirit. Oxford University Press, 1977.
4. Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason. Cambridge University Press, 1998.
5. Marquez, Gabriel Garcia. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Harper Perennial, 2006.
6. More, Thomas. Utopia. Penguin Classics, 2003.
7. Wordsworth, William. Selected Poems. Penguin Classics, 2006.