Monolithic View in Literature

Monolithic View in Literature: Introduction

The concept of the monolithic view in literature encapsulates a perceptual stance that tends to oversimplify complex subjects, characters, or phenomena into singular, undifferentiated entities. It is characterized by the reduction of diverse and multifaceted aspects into a homogenous whole, often neglecting internal nuances and variations. In literary discourse, the monolithic view manifests in the portrayal of cultural, historical, or social entities as singular, uniform entities, thereby limiting the exploration of diverse perspectives and diminishing the richness of narrative representation. The inherent danger lies in its potential to foster stereotypes, restrict the depth of characterization, and hinder a nuanced understanding of the intricacies inherent in the subjects under scrutiny. The exploration of the monolithic view within literature invites critical examination of the implications and consequences of such oversimplifications, challenging readers to recognize and question the inherent complexities that exist within the tapestry of literary representation.

Monolithic View in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Play/Work	Example	Explanation
Othello	“Haply, for I am black,“	Explanation: Othello internalizes and confronts the monolithic view of race imposed upon him, acknowledging the simplified judgment based on his skin color.
The Merchant of Venice	“The villainy you teach me, I will execute,“	Explanation: Shylock challenges the monolithic view held by society, highlighting the cycle of discrimination and revenge perpetuated by the prevailing attitudes toward Jews.
Romeo and Juliet	“With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls;“	Explanation: Romeo views love in a singular, idealized manner, overlooking the complexities and challenges that relationships entail.
Macbeth	“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,“	Explanation: Macbeth reflects on the monolithic view of life as transient and meaningless, neglecting the diversity of human experiences and purposes.
Hamlet	“Frailty, thy name is woman!“	Explanation: Hamlet, in his disillusionment, embraces a monolithic view of women, criticizing their perceived weaknesses without considering individual agency or character.

These examples from Shakespearean works demonstrate instances where characters grapple with or perpetuate the monolithic view, reflecting on race, religion, love, life, and gender in ways that shape the narrative and invite critical reflection.

Monolithic View in Literature: Examples

1. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson:
   • The townsfolk blindly adhere to the tradition of the lottery without questioning its morality, reflecting a monolithic acceptance of harmful customs.
2. “A&P” by John Updike:
   • The protagonist judges the girls entering the store solely based on their appearance, illustrating a monolithic view rooted in superficial judgments.
3. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
   • The husband’s dismissive attitude towards the narrator’s mental health underscores a monolithic view of women’s roles and psychological concerns.
4. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe:
   • The narrator views the old man solely through the lens of his “vulture eye,” emphasizing a monolithic fixation on a perceived flaw.
5. “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway:
   • The characters’ communication revolves around a singular issue, the abortion, highlighting a monolithic focus that obscures broader relationship dynamics.
6. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant:
   • Madame Loisel’s obsession with social status exemplifies a monolithic pursuit of material success, leading to tragic consequences.
7. “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell:
   • General Zaroff’s monolithic belief in his right to hunt humans reflects a morally skewed worldview, challenging conventional ethical norms.
8. “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane:
   • The characters’ collective struggle against nature portrays a monolithic view of the indifferent sea as a relentless, singular adversary.
9. “The Lottery Ticket” by Anton Chekhov:
   • The couple’s sudden materialistic aspirations reveal a monolithic belief in the transformative power of wealth, overlooking its potential consequences.
10. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry:
    • Jim and Della’s sacrifice for each other revolves around a monolithic understanding of love expressed through material gifts.

These examples from short stories illuminate how the monolithic view pervades various aspects of characters’ perspectives, relationships, and societal structures, shaping the thematic depth of the narratives.

Monolithic View in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Monolithic View
Feminist Criticism	In feminist criticism, the monolithic view is pertinent in analyzing portrayals of women, revealing how gender roles are often oversimplified or stereotyped, limiting the exploration of diverse female experiences.
Marxist Criticism	Marxist criticism may focus on the monolithic view in depicting social classes, revealing how characters or societal structures are reduced to singular representations, potentially obscuring the nuances of class dynamics.
Postcolonial Criticism	Postcolonial criticism explores the monolithic view’s impact on representations of cultures, exposing how colonized societies are often oversimplified, reinforcing stereotypes, and neglecting internal diversity.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Psychoanalytic criticism can examine how the monolithic view operates in character analysis, exposing how individuals may be reduced to singular psychological traits, limiting the exploration of their complexities.
Structuralism	In structuralist analysis, the monolithic view may be relevant in exploring how narrative structures oversimplify complex elements, potentially adhering to binary oppositions and neglecting the multiplicity inherent in storytelling.
Deconstructionism	Deconstructionist theory challenges the monolithic view by questioning fixed meanings and highlighting inherent contradictions, emphasizing the need to deconstruct oversimplified representations within literary works.
Reader-Response Theory	In reader-response theory, the monolithic view impacts readers’ interpretations by influencing their expectations and assumptions, potentially limiting the diversity of responses to a text based on oversimplified portrayals.
Postmodernism	Postmodernism critiques the monolithic view by disrupting traditional narrative forms and challenging grand narratives, urging a more fragmented, diverse representation of characters, cultures, and ideas within literary works.
New Historicism	New Historicism considers the monolithic view’s influence on historical representations in literature, revealing how certain periods or events may be oversimplified, neglecting the intricacies and multiplicities of historical contexts.
Cultural Studies	Cultural studies engage with the monolithic view to analyze how cultural identities are portrayed and often simplified, potentially reinforcing stereotypes and limiting a comprehensive understanding of diverse cultural dynamics.

Monolithic View in Literature: Relevant Terms

1. Stereotyping: Oversimplifying and generalizing individuals or groups based on preconceived notions.
2. Reductionism: Simplifying complex phenomena to a limited set of factors or elements.
3. Essentialism: Viewing entities as possessing inherent and unchanging qualities.
4. Binary Opposition: Simplifying complex concepts by emphasizing opposing dualities.
5. Cliché: Overused and trite expressions or ideas that lack originality and nuance.
6. Homogenization: Making diverse elements uniform or identical.
7. Generalization: Forming broad conclusions based on limited information or characteristics.
8. Prejudice: Preconceived opinions that are not based on reason or actual experience.
9. Oversimplification: Presenting a complex subject or issue in an overly simplistic manner.
10. Monoculturalism: Advocating for or perceiving a single cultural perspective as dominant or superior.

Monolithic View in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Aristotle. On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Translated by George A. Kennedy, Oxford UP, 2007.
2. Abrams, M.H., and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2014.
3. Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. 4th ed., University of Chicago Press, 2016.
4. Cuddon, J.A. A Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. 44Wiley, 2013.
5. Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. Wiley, 2008.
6. Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
7. Heinrichs, Jay. Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion. 3rd ed., Three Rivers Press, 2017.
8. Lanham, Richard A. A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms. 2nd ed., University of California Press, 1991.
9. Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. Everything’s an Argument with Readings. 8th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.
10. Perelman, Chaim, and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. Translated by John Wilkinson and Purcell Weaver, University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
11. Strunk, William, and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed., Pearson, 1999