Assumption in Literature

Introduction: Assumption in Literature

Assumption in literature serves as a multifaceted literary device that encompasses characters’ beliefs, expectations, or deductions made without complete evidence or, at times, even against the presented evidence.

These assumptions profoundly influence the development of plots, character relationships, and thematic explorations. They add layers of complexity to narratives by driving misunderstandings, conflicts, and moral dilemmas.

Also, assumptions in literature mirror the human propensity to perceive the world through subjective lenses, shedding light on the fallibility of human judgment and the enduring themes of deception, irony, and the consequences of hasty conclusions in literary works across genres and eras.

Examples of Assumptions in Literature

1. Assumption of Guilt in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee:
   • Extract: “There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn’t be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s word, the white man always wins.”
   • Explanation: In this excerpt, the assumption is that a white man’s word will always be believed over a black man’s word in the court, irrespective of the evidence. This assumption is a central theme in the novel, reflecting racial prejudice and the injustice that African Americans faced during that time.
2. Miscommunication in “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare:
   • Extract: Juliet assumes Romeo is dead, leading to her tragic decision: “Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger, / This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die.”
   • Explanation: Juliet’s assumption that Romeo is dead due to miscommunication results in her taking her own life, which is a pivotal moment in the tragic plot. This assumption underscores the theme of impulsive decisions based on incomplete information.
3. Appearance vs. Reality in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare:
   • Extract: “Look like th’ innocent flower, / But be the serpent under ‘t.”
   • Explanation: Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to assume a false appearance of innocence while concealing his murderous intentions. This reflects the recurring theme in the play that things are not as they seem, emphasizing the destructive consequences of deceptive assumptions.
4. Assumption of Wealth in “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens:
   • Extract: Pip assumes that Miss Havisham is his secret benefactor, providing him with great expectations: “Miss Havisham was going to make my fortune on a grand scale.”
   • Explanation: Pip’s assumption that Miss Havisham is the source of his newfound wealth shapes his expectations and influences his actions. This assumption drives much of the novel’s plot, revealing the consequences of false beliefs.
5. Mistaken Identity in “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare:
   • Extract: Viola, disguised as Cesario, encounters Olivia: “Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness, / Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.”
   • Explanation: Viola’s disguise as Cesario leads to various characters making assumptions about her true identity and feelings. This comedic element of mistaken identity results in humorous misunderstandings and romantic complications.

Types of Assumptions in Literature

1. Character Assumptions: Characters in literature frequently make assumptions about other characters based on their behavior, appearance, or background, which can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, or character development.
2. Social Assumptions: Assumptions related to societal norms, expectations, and cultural values can drive character actions and plot developments, highlighting the impact of societal pressures on individual choices.
3. Moral Assumptions: Characters often make moral or ethical assumptions that guide their decisions and actions, leading to dilemmas or the exploration of moral themes in the narrative.
4. Assumptions of Motive: Characters may make assumptions about the motives of others, which can lead to misjudgments, suspense, or dramatic tension in the story.
5. Assumptions of Identity: Mistaken identities, hidden identities, and the assumption of false identities are common in literature, often creating humor, drama, or suspense.
6. Narrative Assumptions: Authors may use narrative techniques to create assumptions within the story, such as unreliable narrators, shifting perspectives, or deceptive narratives that challenge the reader’s assumptions.
7. Assumptions About the Unknown: Characters or the narrator may make assumptions about the unknown or supernatural elements in the story, invoking fear, wonder, or curiosity.
8. Psychological Assumptions: Assumptions related to a character’s thoughts, emotions, or psychological state can provide insight into their inner world and motivations.
9. Historical and Cultural Assumptions: Assumptions about historical context, cultural practices, or societal conventions can influence character actions and the development of the plot.
10. Assumptions About Reality: Characters and readers may make assumptions about the nature of reality, blurring the lines between reality and illusion in the narrative.

Benefits of Using Assumption in Literature

• Conflict and Tension: Assumptions create conflicts and tensions, driving the plot and sustaining reader interest.
• Character Development: Assumptions lead to character growth and evolution, making characters more dynamic and relatable.
• Irony and Humor: Assumptions can result in irony and comedic misunderstandings, adding depth and entertainment to the narrative.
• Moral and Ethical Exploration: Assumptions lead to moral dilemmas, allowing authors to explore ethics and provoke reader thought.
• Suspense and Surprise: Assumptions enable plot twists, surprises, and suspense, engaging readers and keeping them eager to discover the story’s direction.

Assumption in Literature and Literary Theory

Theory	Critiquing Assumption
Formalism / New Criticism	– Focus on the text itself, disregarding external factors. – Analyze the assumptions inherent in the narrative structure, language, and symbolism. – Examine how the author’s assumptions or biases might be embedded in the text.
Historical Criticism	– Consider the historical context and assumptions that influenced the work. – Explore how societal norms, beliefs, and historical events shape characters’ assumptions and behaviors. – Analyze how the text challenges or reinforces prevalent assumptions of its time.
Reader-Response Criticism	– Investigate the assumptions readers bring to the text and how they influence interpretation. – Examine how readers’ assumptions about characters, settings, or themes affect their engagement with the text. – Consider the diversity of reader assumptions and how they impact the meaning of the work.
Feminist Criticism	– Critique gender-based assumptions in the text, such as stereotypes, gender roles, and power dynamics. – Analyze how the text challenges or reinforces patriarchal assumptions and perspectives. – Investigate how female characters’ assumptions and experiences are portrayed.
Marxist Criticism	– Examine the economic and class-based assumptions within the text. – Explore how social hierarchies and assumptions about wealth and power influence character interactions and plot developments. – Consider how the work reflects or challenges capitalist assumptions.
Postcolonial Criticism	– Critique assumptions related to colonialism, race, and cultural dominance in the text. – Analyze how characters’ assumptions about each other’s cultures and backgrounds lead to conflict or cooperation. – Explore how the work addresses or perpetuates colonialist assumptions.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	– Investigate characters’ unconscious assumptions, desires, and motivations. – Analyze how repressed or unresolved assumptions manifest as psychological conflicts. – Consider the role of the author’s assumptions in shaping character psychology.
Structuralism and Semiotics	– Examine the underlying assumptions and codes that govern the text’s meaning. – Analyze how language and signs carry assumptions about the world and reality. – Consider the interplay between signifiers and signifieds in revealing assumptions.
Deconstruction	– Deconstruct the text to reveal hidden or contradictory assumptions. – Examine how language and binaries perpetuate and undermine certain assumptions. – Investigate the instability of meaning and the presence of unexamined assumptions.

Suggested Readings

1. Giltrow, Janet. Academic Writing: Writing and Reading in the Disciplines. Broadview Press, 2002.
2. Iser, Wolfgang. The Act of Reading: A Theory of Aesthetic Response. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1978.
3. Smith, Barbara Herrnstein. Poetic Closure: A Study of How Poems End. University of Chicago Press, 1968.
4. Chakrabarty, Dipesh. Habitations of modernity: Essays in the wake of subaltern studies. University of Chicago Press, 2002.
5. Zunshine, Lisa. Why We Read Fiction: Theory of Mind and the Novel. Ohio State University Press, 2006.