Monocausality in Literature (English)

Monocausality in Literature: Introduction

Monocausality in literature refers to the narrative technique of attributing complex events or outcomes within a story to a single, dominant cause. This storytelling approach simplifies the plot by emphasizing a solitary factor as the primary driver of the unfolding events.

It often provides clarity and a sense of purpose to the narrative, but at the risk of oversimplifying the intricacies of human experiences and motivations. Monocausality in literature can be a deliberate choice by authors to create a focused and straightforward storyline, offering readers a clear cause-and-effect relationship. However, it may also limit the depth and richness of the narrative by excluding the multifaceted nature of real-world influences.

Monocausality in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Play	Example	Explanation
Macbeth	Macbeth’s Downfall Due to Ambition	The tragic downfall of Macbeth is primarily attributed to his unchecked ambition, ignoring other contributing factors such as manipulation by Lady Macbeth and supernatural influences.
Othello	Othello’s Jealousy Leads to Tragedy	The tragic events in Othello are often attributed solely to Othello’s jealousy, disregarding the manipulations of Iago and the racial prejudices present in the society.
Hamlet	Hamlet’s Delay in Action	Hamlet’s hesitancy and delay in avenging his father’s murder are often explained as the singular cause of the tragic events, overlooking complexities such as political intrigue and Hamlet’s internal conflicts.
Romeo and Juliet	The Feud Between Montagues and Capulets	The feud between the Montague and Capulet families is presented as the central cause of the tragedy, overshadowing the impulsive actions of the young lovers and other societal factors.
Julius Caesar	Brutus’s Naive Trust in Cassius	The tragic outcome of the conspiracy against Caesar is often attributed to Brutus’s naivety in trusting Cassius, simplifying the complex web of political motives and alliances at play.

Note: These explanations are brief summaries, and the actual interpretations of these works may vary. Shakespeare’s plays are rich in complexity and often involve multiple factors contributing to the unfolding of the plot.

Monocausality in Literature: Examples

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley:

• Example: Victor Frankenstein’s Ambition
• Explanation: The tragic events in Frankenstein are often attributed to Victor’s unbridled ambition in creating life, overshadowing other factors such as societal rejection and the creature’s quest for companionship.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:

• Example: Mayella Ewell’s False Accusation
• Explanation: The central conflict arises from Mayella Ewell’s false accusation of Tom Robinson, emphasizing the racial tensions in Maycomb but simplifying the broader issues of prejudice and injustice.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

• Example: Gatsby’s Obsession with Daisy
• Explanation: Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of Daisy is often seen as the primary cause of the tragedy, downplaying the societal critique and moral decay depicted in the novel.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne:

• Example: Hester Prynne’s Adultery
• Explanation: The consequences in the novel are largely attributed to Hester’s act of adultery, overshadowing the puritanical society’s oppressive judgment and the complex characters’ moral struggles.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez:

• Example: Ursula Iguaran’s Decision to Move the Buendía Family
• Explanation: Ursula’s decision to move the family is a central cause of the novel’s events, though it oversimplifies the intricate generational patterns and the theme of cyclical history.

1984 by George Orwell:

• Example: Totalitarian Control
• Explanation: The oppressive regime’s control is the singular cause of the dystopian society in 1984, neglecting the role of individual resistance and the complexities of human nature.

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka:

• Example: Gregor Samsa’s Transformation
• Explanation: The story revolves around Gregor’s metamorphosis, emphasizing the isolation and alienation resulting from his physical transformation while downplaying the existential and societal themes Kafka explores.

Monocausality in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Monocausality in Literature
Formalism	Monocausality provides a clear and focused narrative structure, emphasizing cause-and-effect relationships and contributing to a cohesive form.
Structuralism	Within a structuralist framework, monocausality can be viewed as a defining element that structures the narrative and shapes the relationships between story elements.
Marxist Criticism	Monocausality may simplify complex societal issues, aligning with Marxist perspectives that emphasize economic and class-based explanations for social phenomena.
Feminist Criticism	In feminist analysis, monocausality can be critiqued for oversimplifying gender dynamics, potentially neglecting the intersectionality of factors influencing characters and events.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Monocausality might align with psychoanalytic concepts, as singular causes can be linked to characters’ subconscious desires or psychological struggles.
Postcolonial Theory	Monocausality may be criticized within postcolonial theory for oversimplifying the nuanced impact of colonial histories, ignoring the multiplicity of factors shaping literary narratives.
Reader-Response Theory	Monocausality influences how readers interpret texts, as a singular cause may guide their understanding of character motivations and plot developments.
Postmodernism	Postmodernism challenges monocausality by embracing complexity, encouraging a multiplicity of perspectives, and rejecting the notion of a single, overarching cause.

Note: The relevance of monocausality can vary within each literary theory, and these descriptions provide a general perspective. Literary theories often intersect, and interpretations may differ based on the specific work and context.

Monocausality in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Simplification	Reduction of complex issues to a single, clear cause.
Oversimplification	Excessive reduction, neglecting crucial complexities.
Reductionism	Philosophical approach emphasizing simple explanations.
Causal Reductionism	Reducing complex phenomena to singular causal factors.
Linear Explanation	Providing a straightforward cause-and-effect sequence.
Single-Variable Focus	Concentrating analysis on a solitary influencing factor.
Determinism	Belief in a direct and inevitable cause-and-effect chain.
Causal Fallacy	Faulty reasoning based on oversimplified cause-and-effect.
Red Herring	Introducing irrelevant details to divert from the main cause.
Monocausal Argument	Constructing an argument centered around a single cause.

Monocausality in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Aristotle. Prior Analytics. Translated by Hugh Tredennick, Harvard University Press, 1938.
2. Eco, Umberto. Semiotics and the Philosophy of Language. Indiana University Press, 1986.
3. Quine, W. V. O. Word and Object. MIT Press, 2013.
4. Searle, John R. Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge University Press, 1969.
5. Tarski, Alfred. Logic, Semantics, Metamathematics: Papers from 1923 to 1938. Translated by J. H. Woodger, Hackett Publishing Company, 1983.
6. van Benthem, Johan. A Manual of Intensional Logic. Center for the Study of Language and Information, 1988.
7. Walton, Douglas. Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approach. Cambridge University Press, 2008.
8. Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Translated by C. K. Ogden, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1922.
9. Woods, John. Paradox and Paraconsistency: Conflict Resolution in the Abstract Sciences. Cambridge University Press, 2003.
10. Zalta, Edward N. (Ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, 2022, https://plato.stanford.edu/.