Parochialism in Literature & Literary Theory

Parochialism: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term: The term “parochialism” originates from the word “parochial,” which originally referred to matters pertaining to a parish or a local church community. Over time, its meaning expanded to describe a narrow-minded focus on local or limited interests to the exclusion of broader perspectives. In contemporary usage, parochialism denotes a mindset characterized by narrowness, insularity, and limited awareness of or concern for external or global issues.

Meanings:

• Narrow Focus: Refers to a limited perspective or outlook that concentrates solely on local or narrow interests, often disregarding broader or more inclusive viewpoints.
• Insularity: Describes a tendency to be inward-looking or self-contained, prioritizing the concerns and affairs of one’s own group or community while ignoring external influences or global realities.
• Resistance to Change: Implies a reluctance or unwillingness to adapt to new ideas, practices, or perspectives that extend beyond one’s immediate environment or familiar surroundings.

Concept:

• Cultural Bias: Parochialism can manifest as a form of cultural bias, where individuals or groups favor their own cultural norms, values, and beliefs over those of others, leading to ethnocentrism or cultural relativism.
• Intellectual Limitation: Reflects a limitation in intellectual curiosity or openness to diverse viewpoints, hindering the ability to engage critically with complex issues or appreciate alternative perspectives.
• Social Cohesion vs. Global Integration: Raises questions about the balance between fostering social cohesion and identity within local communities and promoting global integration and interconnectedness in an increasingly interdependent world.

Parochialism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Parochialism, as a theoretical term, refers to a narrow-minded perspective that prioritizes local interests over broader or global concerns, often resulting in a limited worldview. It entails a tendency to focus exclusively on the needs and affairs of one’s own community or group while neglecting external influences or alternative viewpoints. Parochialism can hinder intellectual growth and social progress by restricting exposure to diverse ideas and inhibiting collaboration across diverse communities.

Parochialism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

1. Robert Putnam:
   • Work: Putnam’s seminal work “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community” explores the decline of social capital in the United States. He discusses how parochialism and individualism have led to decreased civic engagement and community involvement.
   • Argument: Putnam argues that parochialism contributes to the breakdown of social connections and trust within communities, leading to a decline in collective action and cooperation.
2. Robert D. Kaplan:
   • Work: Kaplan’s book “Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History” delves into the complex history and geopolitics of the Balkan region.
   • Argument: Kaplan argues that parochialism, often rooted in historical grievances and ethnic divisions, has been a significant factor in the conflicts and instability that have plagued the Balkans.
3. Ernest Gellner:
   • Work: Gellner’s work “Nations and Nationalism” explores the origins and dynamics of nationalism.
   • Argument: Gellner argues that parochialism can be a driving force behind nationalism, as individuals identify strongly with their own cultural or ethnic group and seek to assert its dominance or autonomy.
4. Benedict Anderson:
   • Work: Anderson’s book “Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism” examines the construction of national identity.
   • Argument: Anderson argues that parochialism contributes to the creation of imagined communities, wherein individuals develop a sense of belonging and solidarity with others who share commonalities such as language, religion, or ethnicity.
5. Samuel P. Huntington:
   • Work: Huntington’s essay “The Clash of Civilizations?” discusses the role of cultural and civilizational identities in shaping global conflicts.
   • Argument: Huntington argues that parochialism, particularly when linked to cultural or religious affiliations, can exacerbate tensions between different civilizations and contribute to clashes on a global scale.

These theorists offer diverse perspectives on parochialism, highlighting its role in shaping individual and collective identities, as well as its implications for social cohesion, conflict, and cooperation within and between communities.

Parochialism: Major Characteristics

1. Narrow Perspective: Parochialism is characterized by a limited or narrow perspective that focuses primarily on one’s own group, community, or locality. Individuals exhibiting parochial attitudes often prioritize the interests and concerns of their immediate surroundings while neglecting broader perspectives or the welfare of other groups.
2. Limited Exposure: Parochial individuals typically have limited exposure to diverse ideas, cultures, or experiences outside of their immediate environment. This lack of exposure can lead to ignorance or misunderstanding of other perspectives and contribute to the reinforcement of narrow-minded attitudes.
3. Ethnocentrism: Parochialism often manifests as ethnocentrism, wherein individuals perceive their own cultural or ethnic group as superior to others. This sense of superiority can result in prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards individuals or communities perceived as different or foreign.
4. Resistance to Change: Parochial attitudes may be accompanied by a resistance to change or new ideas that challenge existing norms or traditions within a community. This resistance can hinder progress, innovation, and adaptation to evolving social, economic, or political circumstances.
5. Lack of Interconnectedness: Parochialism can contribute to a lack of interconnectedness or integration with broader society or global networks. Communities characterized by parochial attitudes may be less inclined to engage in cooperative efforts, exchange knowledge, or participate in cross-cultural interactions.
6. Limited Social Capital: Parochialism is often associated with a decline in social capital, including reduced levels of trust, reciprocity, and civic engagement within a community. This erosion of social capital can weaken social cohesion and inhibit collective action or collaboration to address common challenges.
7. Us vs. Them Mentality: Parochialism tends to foster an “us vs. them” mentality, wherein individuals perceive outsiders or those who differ from them as adversaries or threats. This adversarial mindset can fuel conflict, polarization, and social fragmentation within and between communities.
8. Homogeneity: Parochial attitudes may contribute to the maintenance of homogeneity within a community, wherein diversity of thought, identity, or perspective is discouraged or marginalized. This homogeneity can stifle creativity, innovation, and the exchange of ideas essential for societal progress.

Parochialism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Parochialism
Formalism	Parochialism may limit the scope of analysis in formalism by restricting attention to only works within a specific cultural or regional context, potentially overlooking broader universal themes or structures present in literature.
Structuralism	In structuralism, parochialism might lead to the oversight of underlying structural patterns or codes that transcend specific cultures or languages. It can hinder the recognition of common structural elements in literature across different societies or historical periods.
Postcolonialism	Parochialism is directly addressed in postcolonial theory as it critiques the imposition of Western literary norms on non-Western cultures. Parochial attitudes may perpetuate colonial power dynamics by devaluing or marginalizing non-Western literary traditions, limiting the understanding of diverse cultural perspectives in literature.
Feminist Literary Theory	Parochialism can undermine feminist literary theory by neglecting the experiences and perspectives of women from different cultural backgrounds. It may reinforce patriarchal narratives or fail to recognize the intersectionality of gender with other aspects of identity such as race, class, or sexuality.
Marxist Literary Theory	Parochialism in Marxist literary theory may result in an exclusive focus on economic class struggle within a particular society or historical context, neglecting the global dimensions of capitalist exploitation and the diverse forms of resistance found in literature worldwide. It may limit the analysis of literature’s role in challenging systemic oppression on a broader scale.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Parochialism could limit the application of psychoanalytic theory to literature by confining analysis to only those works that reflect the psychosexual dynamics typical of a specific cultural or historical milieu. This narrow focus might overlook the universal aspects of human psychology and the symbolic significance of literary motifs across different cultures.

Parochialism: Application in Critiques

1. “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe (Novel): Parochialism in the critique of “Things Fall Apart” might manifest in overlooking or undervaluing the Igbo cultural context in which the novel is set. Critics influenced by Western literary norms might focus primarily on universal themes of colonialism and cultural clash, while neglecting the rich indigenous perspectives and values portrayed in the novel. They might also judge the characters and events of the novel through Western moral standards, failing to appreciate the complexities of Igbo society on its own terms.
2. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger (Novel): In critiquing “The Catcher in the Rye,” parochialism could lead to an exclusive focus on the experiences of the white, male protagonist, Holden Caulfield, while overlooking the perspectives of other characters and social groups. Critics influenced by parochial attitudes might also fail to recognize the novel’s relevance beyond the specific cultural and historical context of post-World War II America, thereby limiting its potential for resonating with readers from diverse backgrounds.
3. “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen (Play): Parochialism in the critique of “A Doll’s House” might involve interpreting Nora Helmer’s struggle for independence solely within the context of late 19th-century Norwegian society, without considering its broader significance for gender relations and women’s rights movements globally. Critics influenced by parochial attitudes might also downplay or ignore the feminist themes of the play, dismissing them as irrelevant or outdated by contemporary standards.
4. “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot (Poem): When critiquing “The Waste Land,” parochialism could lead to an exclusive focus on its Western literary and cultural references, such as those from Greek mythology, Shakespeare, and the Bible, while overlooking its engagement with non-Western cultures and traditions. Critics influenced by parochial attitudes might also prioritize interpretations that align with Eurocentric perspectives, neglecting the poem’s broader exploration of human suffering, fragmentation, and spiritual renewal that transcends any single cultural or geographical context.

Parochialism: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Ethnocentrism	Judging other cultures by one’s own standards.
Cultural Relativism	Understanding cultural norms within their own context.
Provincialism	Narrow-mindedness, often associated with a specific region.
Insularity	Isolation or detachment from broader influences.
Xenophobia	Fear or hostility towards people from other cultures.
Tribalism	Loyalty to a social or cultural group, excluding outsiders.
Sectarianism	Division within a group based on religious or ideological differences.
Chauvinism	Excessive loyalty to one’s own group, often with a sense of superiority.
Jingoism	Extreme patriotism, often leading to aggressive foreign policy.
Particularism	Focus on specific interests rather than broader concerns.

Parochialism: Suggested Readings

1. Davis, Mike. City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles. Vintage Books, 1992.
2. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Translated by Richard Philcox, Grove Press, 2004.
3. Lippmann, Walter. Public Opinion. Free Press, 1997.
4. Said, Edward. Orientalism. Vintage Books, 1979.
5. Schudson, Michael. The Good Citizen: A History of American Civic Life. Free Press, 1998.
6. Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations. Edited by Andrew Skinner, Penguin Classics, 1999.
7. Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Translated by Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop, University of Chicago Press, 2002.