Cum Hoc Fallacy in Literature

Cum Hoc Fallacy in Literature: Introduction

The Cum Hoc Fallacy in literature arises when a correlation between two events is misconstrued as evidence of causation. This fallacy, derived from the Latin phrase “cum hoc” meaning “with this,” occurs when individuals incorrectly assume that simultaneous occurrences imply a direct cause-and-effect relationship. In literature, characters’ actions or events may coincide, leading readers to erroneously infer causation without considering other factors. Recognizing the Cum Hoc Fallacy is crucial for literary analysis, ensuring that readers do not attribute significance to events solely based on their temporal proximity. A nuanced understanding of causation in literature enhances critical thinking and prevents misinterpretation of narrative elements.

Cum Hoc Fallacy in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

1. Julius Caesar: Caesar’s Death and the Lupercal Festival
   • Fallacious Correlation: Caesar is assassinated on the same day as the Lupercal Festival.
   • Misconception: Believing that the Lupercal Festival somehow influenced or caused Caesar’s death.
2. Macbeth: Banquo’s Murder and Macbeth’s Rise to Power
   • Fallacious Correlation: Banquo is murdered, and Macbeth ascends to the throne.
   • Misconception: Assuming that Banquo’s murder directly led to Macbeth’s rise to power, overlooking Macbeth’s ambitious actions.
3. Hamlet: Ophelia’s Madness and Polonius’ Death
   • Fallacious Correlation: Ophelia goes mad around the same time as Polonius’ death.
   • Misconception: Assuming Ophelia’s madness is directly caused by her father’s death without considering other traumatic events.
4. Othello: Desdemona’s Death and the Willow Song
   • Fallacious Correlation: Desdemona’s death occurs shortly after singing the Willow Song.
   • Misconception: Believing that the song somehow foretells or influences Desdemona’s tragic fate.
5. Romeo and Juliet: Mercutio’s Death and Tybalt’s Fate
   • Fallacious Correlation: Mercutio is killed, and Tybalt is later slain by Romeo.
   • Misconception: Assuming that Tybalt’s fate is directly tied to Mercutio’s death, overlooking the complex web of conflicts in the play.

Cum Hoc Fallacy in Literature: Examples

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
   • Fallacious Correlation: Gatsby’s extravagant parties and Daisy’s presence.
   • Misconception: Assuming that Gatsby’s lavish gatherings directly influence Daisy’s feelings or actions.
2. Animal Farm by George Orwell
   • Fallacious Correlation: The windmill’s construction and the animals’ hardship.
   • Misconception: Believing that building the windmill is the cause of the animals’ suffering without considering other factors.
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
   • Fallacious Correlation: Tom Robinson’s trial and Mayella Ewell’s hardships.
   • Misconception: Assuming that Tom Robinson’s trial directly causes Mayella Ewell’s difficulties without acknowledging the systemic racism in Maycomb.
4. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
   • Fallacious Correlation: The banning of books and society’s conformity.
   • Misconception: Believing that banning books directly leads to a conformist society without considering the broader impact of censorship.
5. Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
   • Fallacious Correlation: Eliza Doolittle’s transformation and Higgins’ teachings.
   • Misconception: Assuming that Eliza’s change is solely due to Higgins’ lessons, neglecting her own agency and efforts.
6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
   • Fallacious Correlation: Mr. Darcy’s reserved nature and Elizabeth’s initial dislike.
   • Misconception: Believing that Darcy’s demeanor directly causes Elizabeth’s dislike without understanding the complexities of their characters.
7. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
   • Fallacious Correlation: Holden Caulfield’s cynicism and his brother Allie’s death.
   • Misconception: Assuming that Holden’s attitude is solely a result of Allie’s death, overlooking other factors contributing to his alienation.
8. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
   • Fallacious Correlation: The arrival of the missionaries and the Igbo society’s decline.
   • Misconception: Believing that the missionaries’ arrival directly causes the downfall of the Igbo society without considering the impact of colonization.
9. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
   • Fallacious Correlation: The appearance of yellow butterflies and significant family events.
   • Misconception: Assuming that the butterflies are a cause or omen for family events, neglecting the novel’s magical realism.
10. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
    • Fallacious Correlation: The presence of owls and magical occurrences.
    • Misconception: Believing that the owls are the cause of magical events rather than a symbolic or coincidental element in the wizarding world.

Cum Hoc Fallacy in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Work	Cum Hoc Fallacy Example	Relevance in Literary Theories
The Great Gatsby	Gatsby’s parties and Daisy’s presence.	Relevant to Marxist literary theory, exploring class divisions and the superficiality of wealth.
Animal Farm	The windmill’s construction and the animals’ hardship.	Applicable to postcolonial theory, illustrating power dynamics and the impact of external influences on a society.
To Kill a Mockingbird	Tom Robinson’s trial and Mayella Ewell’s hardships.	Addresses issues of racial injustice, aligning with critical race theory and feminist literary criticism.
Fahrenheit 451	Banning books and society’s conformity.	Pertinent to cultural studies, examining the effects of censorship on societal norms and values.
Pygmalion	Eliza Doolittle’s transformation and Higgins’ teachings.	Tied to feminist literary theory, exploring gender roles and agency, as well as linguistic theories regarding social mobility.
Pride and Prejudice	Mr. Darcy’s reserved nature and Elizabeth’s initial dislike.	Relevance to psychoanalytic theory, delving into character motivations and the dynamics of personal relationships.
The Catcher in the Rye	Holden Caulfield’s cynicism and Allie’s death.	Applicable to psychological literary theory, exploring the protagonist’s mental state and the impact of past traumas on his worldview.
Things Fall Apart	Arrival of missionaries and the Igbo society’s decline.	Connected to postcolonial theory, addressing cultural clashes and the consequences of colonialism on indigenous societies.
One Hundred Years of Solitude	Yellow butterflies and significant family events.	Relevant to magical realism, showcasing the blending of fantastical elements with everyday occurrences, contributing to the narrative’s unique style.
Harry Potter series	Presence of owls and magical occurrences.	Aligned with fantasy literature, exploring magical elements and creatures as essential components of the narrative, influencing characters and plot developments.

These examples demonstrate how the Cum Hoc Fallacy can be identified in various literary works and how its relevance extends to different literary theories, offering diverse insights into themes, character dynamics, and societal structures.

Cum Hoc Fallacy in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Correlation	A statistical measure indicating the extent to which two variables change in relation to each other, without implying causation.
Causation	The relation of cause and effect between events, where one event (the cause) brings about another event (the effect).
Post Hoc Fallacy	The logical fallacy of assuming that because one event follows another, the first event caused the second, even if there is no direct causal link.
Confounding Variable	A variable that is not the main focus of a study but may interfere with the interpretation of the results by influencing both the dependent and independent variables.
Coincidence	The occurrence of events that happen at the same time by chance, without any necessary or apparent causal connection.
Agency	The capacity of an individual or character to act independently and make choices that impact their life or the narrative.
Critical Race Theory	An analytical framework examining how race intersects with and influences social structures, particularly exploring systemic racism and discrimination.
Feminist Literary Criticism	A literary theory that examines how literature reflects and shapes gender roles, often focusing on the portrayal of women and challenging patriarchal norms.
Psychoanalytic Theory	A psychological approach to literary analysis that explores the subconscious motivations of characters and delves into the impact of unresolved conflicts.
Magical Realism	A narrative style that blends realistic elements with magical or fantastical occurrences seamlessly, often blurring the lines between the ordinary and extraordinary.

Cum Hoc Fallacy in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters, Everything’s an Argument with Readings, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.
2. Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.
3. John D. Ramage, John C. Bean, and June Johnson, Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Pearson, 2018.
4. Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams, The Craft of Research, University of Chicago Press, 2008.
5. Stephen Toulmin, The Uses of Argument, Cambridge University Press, 2003.