Appeal to Tradition in Literature

Appeal to Tradition in Literature: Introduction

The appeal to tradition in literature often surfaces as a thematic element or rhetorical device that reinforces cultural norms, beliefs, or societal practices. Authors may use this fallacy to convey a sense of continuity or to emphasize the enduring nature of certain ideas within a narrative. Characters may grapple with decisions influenced by traditional values, adding depth to the exploration of cultural and historical contexts. Additionally, literary works may critique the blind adherence to tradition, highlighting its potential limitations or adverse consequences. Recognizing the presence of the appeal to tradition in literature allows readers to engage critically with the text, discerning between the narrative’s reliance on tradition for thematic depth and its potential portrayal as a fallacious argument.

Appeal to Tradition in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Play/Work	Context	Example	Explanation
Macbeth	Context: The belief in the divine right of kings during Shakespeare’s time.	Example: “All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!…Thane of Cawdor!… that shalt be king hereafter!” (Act 1, Scene 3)	Explanation: The witches’ prophecy reinforces the traditional hierarchy and the idea that power and titles are predetermined, supporting the appeal to tradition prevalent in the era.
Romeo and Juliet	Context: Feuding families and the importance of family honor.	Example: “These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume.” (Act 2, Scene 6)	Explanation: The tragic fate of the young lovers is influenced by the longstanding feud between the Capulets and Montagues, highlighting the destructive consequences of blind adherence to tradition.
Hamlet	Context: Royal succession and honor.	Example: “But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue.” (Act 1, Scene 2)	Explanation: Hamlet’s struggle to accept his mother’s quick remarriage reflects the traditional expectation of mourning and the sanctity of marriage, adding depth to the exploration of familial and societal expectations.
Othello	Context: Racial prejudice and societal expectations.	Example: “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe.” (Act 1, Scene 1)	Explanation: Iago’s racist language reflects the prevailing prejudices of the time, illustrating how deeply ingrained beliefs influenced characters and plot development.
King Lear	Context: Filial piety and the hierarchy within families.	Example: “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is To have a thankless child!” (Act 1, Scene 4)	Explanation: Lear’s lament over the betrayal by his daughters speaks to the traditional expectation of loyalty and respect within a family structure.
The Merchant of Venice	Context: Religious and cultural prejudices.	Example: Shylock: “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?” (Act 3, Scene 1)	Explanation: Shylock challenges the anti-Semitic attitudes of the time, questioning the validity of traditional prejudices against Jews.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream	Context: Love and marriage traditions.	Example: “The course of true love never did run smooth.” (Act 1, Scene 1)	Explanation: The play explores the complexities of love and relationships, challenging the idealized notions of romance prevalent in traditional literature and society.

Appeal to Tradition in Literature: Examples

1. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson:
   • Example: The annual ritualistic stoning in the village, justified solely because it is a longstanding tradition.
2. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant:
   • Example: Mathilde’s adherence to societal expectations regarding wealth and social status, ultimately leading to her downfall.
3. “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka:
   • Example: Gregor Samsa’s family’s initial rejection of him due to his transformation, reflecting societal norms and family expectations.
4. “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner:
   • Example: Emily Grierson’s insistence on maintaining traditional Southern aristocratic values, leading to her isolation and tragedy.
5. “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell:
   • Example: General Zaroff’s adherence to the tradition of hunting humans for sport, highlighting the moral decay associated with such practices.
6. “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov:
   • Example: The characters’ resistance to change and refusal to adapt to new economic realities, resulting in the loss of the family estate.
7. “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde:
   • Example: The characters’ pursuit of marriage and societal approval through deception and adherence to social norms.
8. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
   • Example: The restrictive and patriarchal beliefs about women’s mental health, leading to the protagonist‘s descent into madness as she conforms to traditional expectations.

Appeal to Tradition in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Appeal to Tradition
Formalism	In formalist literary theory, the focus is on the structural elements of a literary work. The appeal to tradition may be relevant in analyzing how traditional narrative structures, themes, or literary devices contribute to the overall form and meaning of a text.
Historical Criticism	Historical criticism examines literature in its historical context. The appeal to tradition is highly relevant here, as it helps to understand how a work reflects or challenges the cultural, social, and ideological norms of the time in which it was written.
Feminist Criticism	Feminist literary theory explores how gender roles and norms are represented in literature. The appeal to tradition can be relevant in uncovering and critiquing traditional gender expectations perpetuated in literary works.
Postcolonial Criticism	Postcolonial theory examines the representation of colonial and postcolonial experiences. The appeal to tradition may be relevant in analyzing how colonial powers imposed or disrupted traditional practices in colonized regions, impacting literature.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Psychoanalytic theory delves into the psychological aspects of characters and authors. The appeal to tradition can be relevant in understanding how characters’ behaviors and beliefs may be shaped by societal norms and familial traditions.
Marxist Criticism	Marxist literary theory looks at literature through the lens of class struggle. The appeal to tradition is relevant in exploring how literature reflects or challenges established social hierarchies and economic structures.
Reader-Response Criticism	Reader-response theory focuses on the reader’s interpretation and experience. The appeal to tradition is relevant in understanding how readers’ pre-existing beliefs and cultural traditions shape their responses to and interpretations of literary works.
Postmodernism	Postmodern literary theory challenges traditional norms and conventions. The appeal to tradition is relevant in analyzing how authors may subvert or deconstruct traditional literary forms and themes in postmodern works.

Appeal to Tradition in Literature: Relevant Terms

Rhetorical Device/Term/Fallacy	Brief Description
Circular Reasoning	Using the conclusion to support the premise, creating a circular argument that offers no real support.
False Analogy	Drawing comparisons between two unrelated things to argue a point.
Bandwagon Appeal	Suggesting that something is valid or good because “everyone else is doing it” or supporting it.
Red Herring	Introducing irrelevant information to divert attention from the real issue.
Ad Hominem	Attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself.
Slippery Slope	Asserting that a particular event will set off a chain reaction of negative events without sufficient evidence.
Straw Man Argument	Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent’s position to make it easier to attack.
False Dilemma	Presenting a situation as if only two alternative courses of action exist, when there are actually more options.
Appeal to Authority	Relying on the opinion of an authority figure, often outside their area of expertise, as evidence for an argument.
Post Hoc Fallacy	Assuming that because one event precedes another, it must be the cause of the second event.

Appeal to Tradition in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Aristotle. Prior Analytics. Translated by Hugh Tredennick, Harvard University Press, 1938.
2. Eco, Umberto. Semiotics and the Philosophy of Language. Indiana University Press, 1986.
3. Quine, W. V. O. Word and Object. MIT Press, 2013.
4. Searle, John R. Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge University Press, 1969.
5. Tarski, Alfred. Logic, Semantics, Metamathematics: Papers from 1923 to 1938. Translated by J. H. Woodger, Hackett Publishing Company, 1983.
6. van Benthem, Johan. A Manual of Intensional Logic. Center for the Study of Language and Information, 1988.
7. Walton, Douglas. Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approach. Cambridge University Press, 2008.
8. Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Translated by C. K. Ogden, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1922.
9. Woods, John. Paradox and Paraconsistency: Conflict Resolution in the Abstract Sciences. Cambridge University Press, 2003.