Didacticism in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Didacticism

The term “didacticism” has its roots in ancient Greek. It derives from the Greek word “didaktikos,” which means “apt at teaching” or “related to teaching.” The word “didaktikos” is formed from the verb “didasko,” which means “to teach” or “to instruct.”

In English, “didacticism” refers to the practice or principles of teaching, instructing, or imparting moral or ethical lessons through literature, art, or other forms of communication.

It is often associated with works that have a clear educational or moral purpose, aiming to impart knowledge, values, or guidance to the audience. Didactic works are typically characterized by their intention to educate or convey a message, often in a straightforward or pedagogical manner.

Meanings of Didacticism

Meaning of Didacticism	Description
Literary Didacticism	– Instructional Literature: Works designed to educate or impart moral and ethical lessons. – Moral Fables and Allegories: Stories with symbolic characters and events conveying moral messages. – Prescriptive Literature: Texts offering advice and guidelines for living virtuously.
Didacticism in Literary Theory	– Pedagogical Intent: The author’s deliberate intention to educate or instruct the reader. – Authorial Voice and Authority: The strong presence of the author’s perspective and guidance. – Effectiveness and Engagement: Evaluation of how effectively didactic elements convey intended messages.
Contemporary Perspectives	– Debate on Didacticism: Ongoing discussions on its role and relevance in modern literature. – Nuanced Approaches: Subtle incorporation of moral or philosophical themes. – Cultural and Societal Reflection: Addressing contemporary concerns through didacticism.

Definition of Didacticism as a Theoretical Term

Didacticism, as a theoretical term in literature, refers to the deliberate inclusion of instructive or educational elements within a work of literature. It involves the author’s intention to impart moral, ethical, or philosophical lessons to the reader, often employing a pedagogical style. Didacticism can manifest through direct teaching, moralizing, or the use of allegory and symbols to convey specific messages or guidance to the audience.

Didacticism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Rousseau, a prominent philosopher, and educator, emphasized the didactic potential of literature in his educational philosophy.
• John Locke: Locke, known for his influential treatises on education, discussed the role of didactic literature in moral and intellectual development.

Key Works:

• Emile, or On Education by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1762): In this work, Rousseau underscores the importance of didactic literature in shaping the character and values of the protagonist, Emile.
• Some Thoughts Concerning Education by John Locke (1693): Locke’s treatise explores the educational benefits of literature and the role of books in imparting knowledge and values.

Arguments and Contributions:

• Educational Role: Didacticism, as advocated by Rousseau and Locke, highlights literature’s capacity to educate and contribute to moral and intellectual development.
• Moral and Ethical Guidance: Didactic literature serves as a means to provide readers, especially children and young adults, with moral and ethical guidance.
• Critique of Didacticism: Some critics argue that excessive didacticism may lead to heavy-handed moralizing, potentially compromising the artistic quality of literature. This sparks ongoing debates about striking the right balance between instruction and artistic expression in literary works.

Didacticism and Literary Theories

1. Moral Criticism and Ethics: Didacticism often aligns with moral criticism, as it involves literature imparting moral or ethical lessons. Scholars in this field examine how literary works convey and critique moral values, ethical dilemmas, and societal norms.
2. Reader-Response Theory: Didacticism engages with reader-response theory by considering how readers interpret and respond to texts that aim to educate or convey specific messages. The role of the reader in receiving and internalizing didactic content is a focal point.
3. Psychoanalytic Literary Theory: In psychoanalytic theory, didacticism can be examined in terms of how it reflects the author’s or society’s collective psyche and moral values. Analysts may explore how characters’ responses to didactic elements reveal underlying psychological conflicts and defense mechanisms.
4. Marxist Literary Theory: Marxist theorists may analyze didacticism through the lens of class struggle and social critique. They consider how literature, particularly works with strong political or ideological messages, reflects and challenges the prevailing socio-economic order.
5. Feminist Literary Theory: Feminist scholars explore didacticism’s role in shaping and challenging gender roles, expectations, and societal norms. They examine how literary texts educate readers about gender-related issues and feminist perspectives.
6. Postcolonial Literary Theory: In postcolonial theory, didacticism can be examined in relation to the dissemination of colonial ideologies and resistance to them. Scholars analyze how literature serves as a tool for both colonial oppression and postcolonial education and empowerment.
7. Cultural Studies: Didacticism intersects with cultural studies in the exploration of how literature reflects and shapes cultural values, norms, and identities. Scholars investigate how didactic elements influence cultural narratives and power structures.
8. Aesthetic Theories: Didacticism often raises questions about the relationship between art and instruction. Aesthetic theorists may examine the tension between the didactic intent of a work and its artistic expression, considering how it impacts the overall aesthetic experience.
9. Historical and Contextual Analysis: Literary historians and contextual analysts study didacticism in relation to the historical, political, and cultural contexts in which works were created. They assess how didacticism reflects the concerns and ideologies of specific time periods.
10. Narratology: Didacticism can be analyzed in terms of narrative structure and how it shapes the progression of a story. Narratologists may explore how didactic elements influence the plot, characters, and thematic development in a literary work.

Didacticism in Literary Criticism

Work	Elements of Didacticism
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens	– Dickens’ novel addresses social issues such as poverty, child labor, and the mistreatment of orphans. – It serves as a didactic exploration of the harsh realities faced by the poor in 19th-century London, emphasizing the need for social reform and compassion. – Dickens’ didactic approach effectively sheds light on social injustices and advocates for empathy and change.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë	– Brontë’s novel explores themes of morality, class, and women’s independence. – It imparts lessons about personal integrity, the value of education, and the importance of self-respect and resilience. – Charlotte Brontë’s didacticism encourages readers to reflect on issues of gender and class while celebrating the strength and virtue of the protagonist, Jane Eyre.
Hard Times by Charles Dickens	– Dickens’ novel criticizes the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and the utilitarian philosophy of his era. – It serves as a didactic warning about the dangers of valuing profit over people and the need for a more compassionate society. – Dickens’ didactic approach effectively highlights the social and moral consequences of industrialization and challenges prevailing ideologies.
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell	– Gaskell’s novel addresses issues of class struggle, industrialization, and workers’ rights. – It imparts lessons about understanding and reconciliation between different social classes, as well as the importance of social justice. – Elizabeth Gaskell’s didacticism encourages readers to consider the complexities of social change and human relationships, promoting empathy and dialogue.

Suggested Readings

1. Aristotle. Poetics. Translated by Malcolm Heath, Penguin Classics, 1996.
2. Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. Vintage Books, 2010.
3. Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1983.
4. Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 2000.
5. Hutcheon, Linda. Irony’s Edge: The Theory and Politics of Irony. Routledge, 1994.
6. Lewis, C.S. An Experiment in Criticism. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
7. Kaplan, Abraham. The Conduct of Inquiry: Methodology for Behavioral Science. Chandler Publishing Company, 1964.
8. Perrine, Laurence. Sound and Sense: An Introduction to Poetry. Harcourt Brace, 2011.
9. Pope, Alexander. An Essay on Criticism. Edited by Donald F. Bond, Yale University Press, 1963.
10. Wimsatt, W.K., and Monroe C. Beardsley. The Verbal Icon: Studies in the Meaning of Poetry. University of Kentucky Press, 2011.