Causal Tunnel Vision in Literature

Causal Tunnel Vision in Literature: Introduction

Causal tunnel vision in literature is a narrative tendency to attribute the unfolding of events to a singular cause, often overshadowing the complexity of interconnected factors. This literary phenomenon mirrors its real-world counterpart, where characters, plots, and outcomes are sometimes simplistically tied to one dominant influence, neglecting the nuanced interplay of various elements. Authors, unintentionally or intentionally, may employ causal tunnel vision to heighten specific themes or messages, but this literary device also risks oversimplification, limiting the depth and authenticity of the narrative’s portrayal of the multifaceted nature of human experiences and relationships.

Causal Tunnel Vision in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Play	Example of Causal Tunnel Vision	Explanation
Macbeth	Macbeth’s Ambition	Macbeth’s descent into tyranny is often solely attributed to his ambition, overlooking the influence of external forces like the witches and his wife, as well as his own internal struggles.
Romeo and Juliet	The Feud Between the Capulets and Montagues	The tragic fate of the young lovers is frequently linked solely to the long-standing feud between their families, neglecting the role of impulsive decisions, societal expectations, and the Friar’s ill-fated interventions.
Othello	Iago’s Manipulation	Othello’s tragic downfall is commonly attributed solely to Iago’s manipulation, overlooking themes of jealousy, racial prejudice, and Othello’s own vulnerabilities as contributing factors to the tragedy.
Hamlet	Hamlet’s Delay in Avenging his Father’s Death	Hamlet’s indecision is often considered the primary cause of the play’s tragic events, overshadowing political intrigue, familial complexities, and Hamlet’s internal struggles with morality and existential doubt.
King Lear	King Lear’s Misjudgment of His Daughters	The tragic outcome in King Lear is frequently ascribed solely to Lear’s misjudgment of his daughters, ignoring the themes of power, betrayal, and the impact of the chaotic political and familial landscape within the play.

In these Shakespearean examples, causal tunnel vision is evident as certain characters or factors are disproportionately emphasized as the sole causes of the unfolding tragedies, thereby simplifying the intricate web of influences at play in these classic works.

Causal Tunnel Vision in Literature: Examples

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (Colombia):
   • Example: The Buendía Family’s Fate
   • Explanation: The intricate fate of the Buendía family in Macondo is often attributed solely to a mythical curse. This perspective oversimplifies the novel’s exploration of cyclical history, political turmoil, and the complex relationships within the family, neglecting the broader sociopolitical context.
2. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Russia):
   • Example: Raskolnikov’s Crime
   • Explanation: Raskolnikov’s crime and subsequent moral struggle are sometimes seen as the primary focus of the novel. However, Dostoevsky also delves into societal inequalities, the psychological effects of guilt, and the transformative power of redemption, providing a more nuanced narrative.
3. Blindness by José Saramago (Portugal):
   • Example: The Epidemic of Blindness
   • Explanation: The epidemic of sudden blindness in Saramago’s novel is often solely attributed to a physical ailment. This oversimplification neglects the allegorical layers of the narrative, exploring human nature, societal breakdown, and the fragility of civilization.
4. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (Spain):
   • Example: The Obsession with Julián Carax’s Books
   • Explanation: The characters’ obsession with Julián Carax’s books is sometimes viewed as the sole driving force of the plot. However, Zafón weaves a complex narrative that encompasses historical events, family secrets, and the intertwining destinies of the characters, expanding the scope beyond a singular cause.
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan):
   • Example: Amir’s Betrayal
   • Explanation: Amir’s betrayal of Hassan is a central theme, often perceived as the primary cause of the novel’s conflicts. However, the story also delves into the impact of war, cultural shifts, and the journey of redemption, providing a more comprehensive exploration of Afghan society.

Causal Tunnel Vision in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Causal Tunnel Vision in Literature
Formalism	Formalists may analyze how causal tunnel vision affects the structure of a narrative. The focus on a singular cause can influence the plot’s coherence and contribute to the development of themes within the text.
Marxist Criticism	Marxist critics might examine causal tunnel vision as a reflection of societal power structures. Simplifying complex issues to a single cause may mask deeper social inequalities or highlight class struggles within the narrative.
Feminist Criticism	Feminist theorists may explore how causal tunnel vision can perpetuate gender stereotypes. Oversimplifying character motivations or societal issues may overlook the nuanced roles of gender and limit the representation of diverse perspectives.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Psychoanalytic perspectives might analyze how causal tunnel vision reflects characters’ internal conflicts. A singular focus on a cause may indicate repressed desires, unresolved traumas, or the characters’ subconscious motivations shaping the narrative.
Postcolonial Criticism	Postcolonial critics may examine how causal tunnel vision simplifies the complexities of colonial history. Oversimplifying the causes of conflicts may perpetuate colonial narratives and overlook the impact of imperialism on diverse cultures.
Reader-Response Theory	Reader-response theorists may investigate how causal tunnel vision shapes readers’ interpretations. Focusing on a single cause could elicit specific emotional responses, and understanding varied reader reactions helps explore the subjective nature of literary meaning.
Structuralism	Structuralists might analyze how causal tunnel vision contributes to narrative patterns. The emphasis on a singular cause could be seen as a recurring element in the underlying structure of the text, influencing the way events unfold within the narrative.

These are just a few examples, and literary theories often overlap in their analyses of texts. The relevance of causal tunnel vision in literature can be multifaceted, providing a rich field for exploration across various critical lenses.

Causal Tunnel Vision in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition/Usage
Reductionism	Simplifying complex phenomena to a single cause, a common aspect of causal tunnel vision.
Oversimplification	Presenting a complex issue or narrative in an excessively simple or reductionist manner.
Selective Emphasis	Emphasizing specific aspects or causes while neglecting others, contributing to tunnel vision.
Linear Causality	Assuming a direct, one-to-one relationship between cause and effect, overlooking interconnected factors.
Monocausal Explanation	Providing an explanation that attributes an event or outcome to a single cause, ignoring other influences.
Deterministic Thinking	Believing that a singular cause inevitably leads to a particular effect, ignoring other possible outcomes.
Causation Fallacy	Assuming that correlation implies causation, a common error in causal tunnel vision.
Simplistic Reasoning	Using overly simple or straightforward logic to explain complex situations, characteristic of tunnel vision.
Narrow Perspective	Limiting the viewpoint to a singular cause, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Single-Cause Thesis	Formulating a thesis or argument that revolves around a solitary cause, disregarding multifaceted influences.

Causal Tunnel Vision in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Aristotle. On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Translated by George A. Kennedy, Oxford UP, 2007.
2. Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. 4th ed., University of Chicago Press, 2016.
3. Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
4. Heinrichs, Jay. Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion. 3rd ed., Three Rivers Press, 2017.
5. Lanham, Richard A. A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms. 2nd ed., University of California Press, 1991.
6. Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. Everything’s an Argument with Readings. 8th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.
7. Perelman, Chaim, and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. Translated by John Wilkinson and Purcell Weaver, University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
8. Strunk, William, and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed., Pearson, 1999.