Parentheses in Literature

Parentheses: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings

The term “parentheses” has its origins in Late Latin, deriving from the Greek word “parenthesis,” meaning “a putting in beside.” This reflects its original function as a punctuation mark used to insert explanatory or qualifying material within a sentence. In its literal sense, parentheses serve to enclose supplementary information that is not essential to the main clause, providing additional context or clarification. Conceptually, parentheses can convey various meanings, including:

Literal Meaning	Conceptual Meaning
Enclosing supplementary information	Providing clarification or additional context
Indicating aside or digression	Signaling a departure from the main topic or thought
Creating a secondary focus	Highlighting details or asides within the narrative
Denoting alternatives or options	Presenting optional or alternative interpretations

In both its literal and conceptual applications, parentheses serve to enrich and elaborate upon the primary content of a text or discourse, offering readers a deeper understanding or perspective on the subject matter.

Parentheses: Definition

Parentheses are punctuation marks used to enclose supplementary or explanatory material within a sentence. They serve to provide additional information that is not essential to the main clause but contributes to the reader’s understanding. Parentheses are typically employed to set off digressions, clarifications, or asides in written text.

Parentheses: Examples in Everyday Life

Example	Usage
“Please purchase milk (preferably organic) on your way home.”	Providing additional information or preference within a request or instruction.
“The seminar will be held on Friday (excluding public holidays).”	Clarifying a specific condition or exception related to an event or activity.
“She completed her master’s degree (with honors) last year.”	Adding supplementary details, such as academic distinction, to a statement about an accomplishment.
“The new restaurant in town (located on Main Street) is quite popular.”	Including location information as an aside to provide context or identify a subject.
“I need to finish this report (due tomorrow) before I leave.”	Indicating a deadline or timeframe associated with a task or obligation.
“He is an expert in linguistics (his field of study).”	Specifying someone’s area of expertise or specialization within a sentence.
“The project timeline (outlined in the proposal) is ambitious.”	Referring to a document or source for additional information or validation.
“Our office hours are 9 am to 5 pm (Monday to Friday).”	Describing a recurring schedule or pattern, typically related to business or operations.

Parentheses in Literature: Examples

1. “A classic case in point is the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia, in which Hamlet’s feigned madness (or perhaps real madness) plays a crucial role.” (Hamlet by William Shakespeare)
2. “She whispered the secret (which she had sworn never to reveal) to her closest friend.” (The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett)
3. “The protagonist’s thoughts (filled with doubt and uncertainty) reveal his inner turmoil.” (Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky)
4. “He glanced at her sideways, a sly smile creeping onto his face (indicating his amusement at her predicament).” (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)
5. “The wind howled outside, rattling the windows (which had been left open by mistake).” (The Shining by Stephen King)
6. “The detective noticed a peculiar smell in the room (reminiscent of sulfur or burnt matches).” (The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle)
7. “She stumbled over her words, trying to explain the situation (which was becoming increasingly awkward).” (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)
8. “The soldier recounted his harrowing experience in the war (which had left him deeply scarred).” (All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque)
9. “As she gazed out the window, lost in thought (contemplating her next move), she failed to notice the time slipping away.” (The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger)
10. “He received a mysterious letter (addressed in handwriting he didn’t recognize) that set off a chain of events.” (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling)

Parentheses in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Bracket	A punctuation mark used to enclose additional information, often used to clarify or add emphasis.
Parenthetical	Relating to or containing information enclosed within parentheses, often used for clarification.
Parenthetical phrase	A group of words enclosed in parentheses within a sentence, providing additional information or clarification.
Bracketing commas	Commas used in pairs to set off nonessential elements within a sentence, similar to parentheses.
Insertion marks	Punctuation marks, such as dashes or commas, used to insert additional information into a sentence.
Parenthetical citation	A citation format commonly used in academic writing, where the source information is enclosed within parentheses.
Parenthesis-free	Referring to writing or speech without the use of parentheses, often indicating directness or brevity.
Brackets-free	Referring to text without the use of brackets, often indicating simplicity or a lack of additional commentary.
Parenthetical expression	A phrase or clause enclosed in parentheses within a sentence, typically used for emphasis or qualification.
Insertion point	A place within a sentence where additional information or commentary can be inserted, often marked by parentheses or other punctuation.

Parentheses in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, M.H. and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2014.
2. Cuddon, J.A. The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. Penguin Books, 2015.
3. DiYanni, Robert. Literature: Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.
4. Gibson, Walker. The Complete Guide to Literary Terms: A Handbook for Writers and Students. Writer’s Digest Books, 1999.
5. Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015.
6. Roberts, Edgar V. and Henry E. Jacobs. Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. Pearson, 2014.