Circular Reasoning in Literature

Circular Reasoning in Literature: Introduction

Circular reasoning in literature, a sophisticated rhetorical device, seamlessly intertwines with literary works, serving as a narrative tool to create intricate layers of meaning. Within literary realms, authors deftly employ circular reasoning to craft narratives that challenge readers’ interpretative skills. This nuanced technique often involves a self-referential loop, where the conclusion is subtly embedded within the narrative premises, inviting readers to navigate complex thematic landscapes. By strategically utilizing circular reasoning, writers introduce a level of ambiguity and complexity, prompting readers to unravel the intricacies of character motivations and plot developments. In literature, circular reasoning becomes a captivating element that adds depth to storytelling, compelling readers to explore the elusive nature of truth within the imaginative worlds crafted by authors.

Circular Reasoning in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Example	Explanation
1. Hamlet’s Delay in Avenging His Father	Circular Reasoning: Hamlet delays avenging his father’s murder because he is unsure about the ghost’s honesty. Explanation: Hamlet questions the ghost’s credibility, using his uncertainty about the ghost’s honesty as a reason for his inaction, creating a circular justification for his delay.
2. Macbeth’s Ambition and Prophecies	Circular Reasoning: Macbeth believes he is invincible because the witches told him so. Explanation: Macbeth’s belief in the witches’ prophecies becomes a circular justification for his actions, as he interprets subsequent events to fit the prophecy, reinforcing his conviction of invincibility.
3. Othello’s Jealousy and Desdemona’s Infidelity	Circular Reasoning: Othello becomes jealous of Desdemona because Iago suggests she is unfaithful, and Othello’s jealousy is then used as evidence of her guilt. Explanation: Iago’s insinuations plant the seed of suspicion, and Othello’s increasing jealousy becomes the very evidence that supports Iago’s initial claims, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of distrust and tragedy.

These examples from Shakespearean works illustrate instances where characters’ reasoning forms a circular structure, contributing to the complexity and depth of the narratives.

Circular Reasoning in Literature: Examples

1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
   • Circular Reasoning: Holden Caulfield dislikes “phony” people because they are not genuine.
   • Explanation: Holden’s definition of “phony” is vague, and his dislike for people is based on their perceived phoniness, creating a circular justification for his disdain.
2. 1984 by George Orwell
   • Circular Reasoning: The government in “1984” asserts its authority is unquestionable because it cannot be challenged.
   • Explanation: The circularity lies in the government’s claim that its authority is absolute, using the inability to challenge it as proof of its inviolability.
3. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
   • Circular Reasoning: The Buendía family in the novel is cursed because of the actions of its members.
   • Explanation: The circularity arises as the family’s purported curse is based on the actions of its members, while those actions are influenced by the supposed curse.
4. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
   • Circular Reasoning: The town continues the ritualistic lottery because it has always been done that way.
   • Explanation: The circularity is evident in the tradition’s perpetuation based on its longstanding practice, without questioning its purpose or morality.
5. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
   • Circular Reasoning: The narrator insists on their sanity because they can tell the story coherently.
   • Explanation: The narrator’s argument for sanity relies on their coherent storytelling, which in turn is used as evidence of their mental stability.
6. “The Stranger” by Albert Camus
   • Circular Reasoning: Meursault is deemed morally deficient because he is indifferent to societal norms.
   • Explanation: The circularity lies in society’s judgment of Meursault’s morality, which is based on his indifference to societal norms, creating a self-referential loop.
7. “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka
   • Circular Reasoning: Gregor Samsa is treated as an insect because he looks like one.
   • Explanation: The circularity is evident in the family’s reaction to Gregor’s physical transformation, as their treatment of him as an insect is based solely on his appearance.

These examples illustrate how circular reasoning is employed in literature to enhance characterization, thematic complexity, and narrative depth.

Circular Reasoning in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Circular Reasoning	Examples in Literature
Psychoanalytic Theory	In psychoanalysis, circular reasoning can depict the complexities of characters’ subconscious motivations and conflicts.	In “The Catcher in the Rye,” Holden’s aversion to “phony” people reflects deeper psychological struggles and conflicts.
Marxist Literary Theory	Circular reasoning can illuminate how societal structures and power dynamics perpetuate themselves.	In “1984,” the government’s assertion of unquestionable authority reflects the self-perpetuating nature of oppressive regimes.
Magical Realism	Within magical realism, circular reasoning can enhance the seamless integration of fantastical elements into everyday life.	In “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” the circularity of the Buendía family’s curse aligns with the magical realist narrative, blurring the lines between reality and magic.
Structuralism	Circular reasoning can be relevant in structuralism by showcasing how narrative structures and symbols refer back to themselves.	In “The Lottery,” the town’s continuation of the lottery based on tradition exemplifies the circularity inherent in cultural rituals and structures.
Narrative Theory	Within narrative theory, circular reasoning can be employed to explore the subjective nature of storytelling and perspective.	In “The Tell-Tale Heart,” the narrator’s insistence on sanity based on coherent storytelling engages with the theme of unreliable narration.
Existentialist Literary Theory	Circular reasoning aligns with existentialism by exploring individualism, alienation, and the arbitrary nature of societal judgments.	In “The Stranger,” Meursault’s moral deficiency attributed to his indifference reflects existentialist themes of individualism and societal absurdity.
Kafkaesque Literature	In Kafkaesque literature, circular reasoning contributes to the surreal and absurd nature of the narrative, emphasizing themes of alienation.	In “The Metamorphosis,” Gregor’s treatment as an insect based on appearance aligns with Kafkaesque themes of the bizarre and the absurd.

These examples illustrate how circular reasoning is pertinent across various literary theories, enhancing the exploration of complex themes within different theoretical frameworks.

Circular Reasoning in Literature: Relevant Terms

Rhetorical Fallacy/Term	Description	Relevance to Circular Reasoning in Literature
Begging the Question	Assuming the truth of a statement without providing evidence, often creating a circular argument.	Commonly found in characters or plotlines where assumptions are accepted without justification.
Circular Definition	Defining a term using the term itself or a synonym, resulting in circular reasoning.	Appears when characters or themes in literature are described in ways that lack substantive meaning.
Tautology	Expressing the same idea using different words, contributing to a circular argument.	Often found in dialogues or narratives where characters redundantly reinforce the same concept.
False Dilemma	Presenting a situation as having only two possible outcomes when more exist, oversimplifying complexity.	Reflects in literature when characters face limited choices, ignoring nuanced possibilities.
Post Hoc Fallacy	Assuming that because one event precedes another, it is the cause of the second event.	Relevant when characters attribute outcomes to preceding events without establishing causation.
Ad Hominem	Attacking the character or motives of a person rather than the substance of their argument.	Appears in literature when characters engage in personal attacks rather than addressing the argument.
Red Herring	Introducing irrelevant information to divert attention from the main issue.	Evident when authors introduce distractions or side plots, steering readers away from essential themes.
Appeal to Authority	Relying on the opinion of an authority figure rather than presenting valid evidence.	Characters might employ this fallacy by accepting statements solely based on the speaker’s authority.
Hasty Generalization	Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence, often contributing to circular reasoning.	Characters may jump to conclusions without adequate information, perpetuating circular logic.
Slippery Slope	Asserting that a particular event will set off a chain reaction leading to an undesirable outcome.	Appears in literature when characters predict extreme consequences without demonstrating causal links.

These fallacies and terms are relevant in identifying and understanding instances of circular reasoning in literary works.

Circular Reasoning 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.