Digressions in Literature

Introduction: Digressions in Literature

Digressions in literature are deliberate deviations from the main narrative or central theme, often employed to provide additional information, context, or depth. They serve to explore tangential ideas, anecdotes, or subplots, temporarily straying from the primary storyline. These digressions can enhance character development, add thematic complexity, and engage readers by offering insights into peripheral elements of the narrative.

Authors use digressions strategically to create a richer and more layered reading experience, although they must strike a balance to prevent excessive detours that disrupt the overall coherence of the work. Whether humorous, philosophical, or historical, digressions are a versatile literary tool that can contribute to the depth and richness of a literary work.

Literary Examples of Digressions

Example	Extract	Explanation
Example from Moby-Dick by Herman Melville	“Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.”	The opening lines of Moby-Dick contain a digression in which the narrator, Ishmael, goes off on a tangent to explain his reasons for going to sea. This digression sets the tone for the novel and provides context about the narrator’s motivations.
Example from Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes	“In short, his wits being quite gone, he hit upon the strangest notion that ever madman in this world hit upon, and that was that he fancied it was right and requisite, as well for the support of his own honour as for the service of his country, that he should make a knight-errant of himself, and roam the world over in full armour in quest of adventures.”	Cervantes’ Don Quixote is filled with digressions, such as the one that introduces the protagonist’s delusional belief that he should become a knight-errant. This digression is crucial to understanding the character of Don Quixote and the novel’s overarching themes of idealism and chivalry.
Example from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen	“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”	In the opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice, Austen provides a satirical digression that sets the stage for the novel’s exploration of social norms and the pressure on men to marry. It’s a humorous and witty observation that serves as a launching point for the story.

How to Create Digressions

• Introduce a Tangential Idea: To create a digression, start by introducing a related but non-essential idea or topic within the narrative.
• Provide Additional Context: Offer context or background information for the digression to help readers understand its relevance and importance.
• Use a Shift in Tone or Style: Shift the tone or writing style, indicating to readers that a digression is taking place. This can be done through language, formatting, or structure.
• Explore the Digression: Delve into the tangential idea, providing details, anecdotes, or explanations as necessary. This exploration should temporarily divert from the main narrative.
• Transition Back to Main Narrative: After the digression, smoothly transition back to the main storyline, ensuring that readers can easily re-engage with the primary focus of the text.

Benefits of Using Digressions

1. Enhanced Depth and Complexity: Digressions add depth to a narrative by providing additional information, context, or perspectives. They allow authors to explore related themes, subplots, or character backgrounds, making the story more intricate and engaging.
2. Character Development: Digressions delve into the inner thoughts, past experiences, or motivations of characters. This helps readers understand and connect with the characters on a deeper level.
3. Thematic Exploration: Authors delve into philosophical, moral, or thematic discussions that are tangentially related to the main plot. This allows the exploration of complex ideas and concepts.
4. Engagement and Reader Interest: Well-crafted digressions pique readers’ curiosity and provide moments of interest or intrigue, preventing the narrative from becoming monotonous.
5. Relief from Intensity: In emotionally intense or suspenseful narratives, digressions provide a brief respite or comic relief, offering a change of pace and emotional balance.
6. Historical and Cultural Context: Digressions supply historical, cultural, or contextual information that aids in the understanding of the story’s setting or time period.
7. Artistic Expression: Writers often use digressions as a form of artistic expression, showcasing their storytelling prowess and the ability to weave intricate narratives.
8. Rhetorical Devices: In non-fiction, digressions are used as rhetorical devices to persuade, inform, or engage the audience more effectively. They serve as analogies, examples, or allegories to drive home a point.
9. Narrative Structure: Digressions contribute to the overall structure and pacing of a story, breaking up linear narratives and introducing variety.
10. Intellectual Stimulation: For readers, digressions are intellectually stimulating, encouraging them to think critically and engage with complex ideas presented in the text.

While digressions are a valuable tool in storytelling and writing, it’s important to use them judiciously, ensuring they enhance rather than disrupt the narrative flow. Overused or poorly executed digressions detract from the reading experience, so their placement and relevance should be carefully considered.

Digressions in Literary Theory

Theory	Advantage	Critique
Structuralism and Formalism	Digressions providing structural analysis can unveil patterns and recurring elements in a text.	Overemphasis on structural analysis through digressions may lead to a neglect of broader thematic and contextual considerations.
Feminist Theory	Digressions related to the socio-cultural context and gender issues can illuminate hidden meanings and power dynamics within a text.	Excessive digressions may risk sidelining the core feminist analysis, turning it into a broader socio-historical commentary.
Postcolonial Theory	Digressions on colonial histories and global power dynamics can deepen the understanding of how colonialism and its aftermath are portrayed in literature.	Digressions may divert attention from the examination of postcolonial identities, voices, and resistance in literature.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Digressions exploring the psychological motivations and unconscious desires of characters can reveal hidden layers of meaning.	Overreliance on psychoanalytic digressions may overshadow other critical perspectives, such as historical or cultural contexts.
Marxist Theory	Digressions delving into class relations, economic structures, and power dynamics can provide insights into the social commentary in literature.	Excessive focus on Marxist analysis through digressions may obscure other relevant themes, like individual agency and ideology.
Deconstruction	Digressions can be central to deconstructing binary oppositions and revealing the instability of meaning within a text.	Overuse of digressions may lead to excessive textual ambiguity, making it challenging for readers to discern the intended deconstructive goals.
Cultural Studies	Digressions exploring cultural, social, and historical contexts can uncover the ways literature reflects societal ideologies.	Prolonged digressions might detract from the cultural critique, diluting the specific focus on how culture is constructed in literature.

Suggested Readings

1. Culler, Jonathan. The Pursuit of Signs: Semiotics, Literature, Deconstruction. Cornell University Press, 2001.
2. Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.
3. Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Translated by Jane E. Lewin, Cornell University Press, 1980.
4. Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich. Phenomenology of Spirit. Translated by A. V. Miller, Oxford University Press, 1977.
5. Moretti, Franco. Graphs, Maps, Trees: Abstract Models for Literary History. Verso, 2007.
6. Reynolds, Ned. Geoffrey Hill and his Contexts. Palgrave Macmillan, 2016.