Consequent in Literature (English)

Consequent in Literature: Introduction

The concept of consequent in literature unfolds as a narrative and rhetorical device that hinges on logical outcomes, consequences, and persuasive implications. Characters’ decisions and actions often propel the plot forward, leading to inevitable results that shape the story’s progression.

Beyond its logical underpinnings, “consequent” serves a rhetorical purpose, emphasizing the persuasive power of anticipated outcomes to strengthen arguments or narratives. This literary device encapsulates the cause-and-effect relationships woven into the fabric of storytelling, adding depth and resonance to characters’ choices.

Through the lens of “consequent,” literature navigates the intricate interplay between actions and their repercussions, inviting readers to explore the nuanced landscape of narrative consequence.

Consequent in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Play	Character	Situation	Consequent
“Macbeth”	Macbeth	Macbeth’s ambition and actions to secure the throne lead to a series of murders and his eventual downfall.	The consequent is Macbeth’s tragic demise, a direct result of his unchecked ambition and morally questionable decisions.
“Othello”	Othello	Othello’s unwarranted jealousy and trust in Iago’s manipulations result in tragic consequences, including Desdemona’s death.	The consequent is Othello’s profound regret and the tragic end of his own life due to the false assumptions he made.
“Romeo and Juliet”	Romeo and Juliet	The secret love affair between Romeo and Juliet, driven by feuding families, leads to a series of unfortunate events.	The consequent is the tragic deaths of the young lovers and the reconciliation of their feuding families as a result of their love.
“Hamlet”	Hamlet	Hamlet’s indecision and delayed action contribute to the tragic outcome of the play, including the deaths of several characters.	The consequent is the widespread death and chaos in Elsinore, a result of Hamlet’s prolonged contemplation and inaction.
“King Lear”	King Lear	King Lear’s flawed judgment and the division of his kingdom result in tragic consequences, including his own descent into madness.	The consequent is Lear’s realization of his mistakes and the tragic end of the characters involved in the power struggle.
“The Tempest”	Prospero	Prospero’s use of magic and manipulation to regain his dukedom leads to a resolution involving forgiveness and reconciliation.	The consequent is the restoration of order, forgiveness, and reconciliation among the characters, marking a positive outcome.

These examples from Shakespearean plays illustrate how the concept of “consequent” plays a pivotal role in shaping the outcomes and tragedies within the narratives.

Consequent in Literature: Examples

1. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant (Short Story):

• In the consequent events of the story, Madame Loisel discovers the true value of the borrowed necklace and the consequences of her desire for social status.

2. “The Open Window” by Saki (Short Story):

• The consequent revelation of the fabricated tale by the young girl leads to a humorous and unexpected turn of events for the protagonist.

3. “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams (One-Act Play):

• Tom’s decision to leave his family becomes the consequent action that shapes the dynamics of the Wingfield family in this iconic one-act play.

4. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot (Poem):

• Prufrock’s introspective reflections on his life and choices serve as the consequent exploration of modernity and existential angst.

5. “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell (One-Act Play):

• The discovery of crucial evidence by the women in the story becomes the consequent action that challenges the assumptions of the male characters.

6. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe (Short Story):

• The murder committed by the protagonist leads to consequent psychological torment, portraying the theme of guilt and madness.

7. “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde (One-Act Play):

• The consequent misunderstandings and mistaken identities form the comedic backbone of Wilde’s play, exploring societal expectations and values.

8. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost (Poem):

• The poet reflects on the consequent impact of choosing one path over another and the lasting effects of life’s decisions.

9. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson (Short Story):

• The shocking consequent ritual of the lottery exposes the dark underbelly of blind tradition and conformity in a small town.

10. “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats (Poem):

• The consequent contrast between the ephemeral beauty of the nightingale’s song and the harsh reality of human existence forms the core of Keats’ reflective poem.

These examples showcase how the concept of “consequent” is explored in various forms of literature, influencing characters and shaping the narrative in compelling ways.

Consequent in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of “Consequent” in Literature
Structuralism	The consequent elements in a narrative contribute to the overall structure, helping to establish patterns and relationships within the text.
Reader-Response Theory	Readers engage with the consequent reactions and interpretations of characters, events, or themes, influencing their understanding and experience of the text.
Feminist Criticism	Consequent actions and consequences may highlight gender dynamics and power structures, providing insights into the portrayal of women and men in literature.
Marxist Criticism	Examining the consequent socio-economic implications in literature helps reveal class struggles, power dynamics, and societal inequalities depicted in the text.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	The psychological consequences of characters’ actions and experiences are explored to understand their motivations and the impact of the unconscious mind on the narrative.
Postcolonial Criticism	The consequent effects of colonialism and postcolonial experiences are analyzed to uncover themes of identity, cultural clash, and resistance in literature.
Deconstructionism	The concept of “consequent” may be deconstructed to challenge binary oppositions and reveal the instability and ambiguity in language and meaning.
New Historicism	Analyzing the consequent historical context and events within literature helps in understanding how texts are shaped by and shape the socio-historical conditions of their time.
Queer Theory	Consequent representations and consequences in literature may be examined to explore how gender and sexual identities are constructed and challenged.
Cultural Studies	The consequent cultural implications in literature shed light on how texts reflect and shape cultural norms, values, and ideologies.

Each literary theory provides a unique lens through which “consequent” elements in literature can be examined, revealing different layers of meaning and contributing to the overall interpretation of a text.

Consequent in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Consequence	The result or effect that follows from a specific action or premise.
Implication	The logical connection between a statement and its consequent.
Inference	The process of deriving a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning.
Corollary	A proposition that follows directly from another, often as a consequence.
Sequel	A subsequent event or situation that follows as a result.
Outcome	The final result or consequence of a particular course of action.
Ramification	The complex consequences or implications that result from an action or decision.
Effect	The change or result produced by a specific action or set of conditions.
Repercussion	An unintended consequence or indirect effect of an action or event.
Cascade	A series of consequences that follow one after another in a chain reaction.

Consequent in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by W. D. Ross, Oxford University Press, 2009.
2. Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1961.
3. Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Penguin Books, 2003.
4. Descartes, René. Meditations on First Philosophy. Translated by Donald A. Cress, Hackett Publishing Company, 1993.
5. Fish, Stanley. Is There a Text in This Class? The Authority of Interpretive Communities. Harvard University Press, 1980.
6. Orwell, George. 1984. Signet Classic, 1961.
7. Plato. Phaedrus. Translated by Benjamin Jowett, Project Gutenberg, 2008.
8. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Harold Jenkins, Arden Shakespeare, 1982.
9. Toulmin, Stephen. The Uses of Argument. Cambridge University Press, 2003.
10. Wimsatt, W. K., and Monroe C. Beardsley. “The Intentional Fallacy.” The Sewanee Review, vol. 54, no. 3, 1946, pp. 468–488.