Subjunctive Mood: Etymology/Term, Literal and Conceptual Meanings
Etymology and Term:
The term “subjunctive” traces its origins to Latin, specifically from “subiunctivus,” signifying “subjoined” or “placed below.” This linguistic concept has evolved through centuries and stands as a cornerstone in grammatical studies across diverse languages. In academic discourse, the subjunctive mood denotes a grammatical mood used to express unreality, doubt, hypotheticals, or subjective actions, often distinguished by specific verb forms or constructions.
Literal Meaning:
- Verb Forms: Specific verb forms, distinct from the indicative, characterize the subjunctive mood. For instance, English often employs the base form of the verb (e.g., “I suggest he study”).
- Expressing Doubt: Its primary function lies in conveying doubt, uncertainty, or hypothetical situations. For example, “If I were you, I would reconsider.”
Conceptual Meaning:
- Hypothetical Scenarios: The subjunctive mood articulates hypothetical scenarios or conditions, exploring alternative possibilities that may not be factual or certain.
- Desire and Necessity: It is a tool for expressing desires, wishes, requests, or requirements. For instance, “I suggest that he be present at the meeting” conveys a recommendation or necessity.
- Emotional Tone: The subjunctive mood often adds an emotional or subjective tone to a statement, reflecting the speaker’s attitudes, feelings, or opinions.
Understanding the etymology, as well as the literal and conceptual meanings of the subjunctive mood, is crucial for a nuanced comprehension of its role in language construction and communication. This grammatical construct provides a valuable vehicle for expressing shades of meaning beyond straightforward factual statements.
Subjunctive Mood: Definition as a Linguistic Term
The subjunctive mood, as a linguistic term, refers to a grammatical category indicating hypothetical or unreal situations, doubts, wishes, or subjective conditions within a sentence. It typically involves distinct verb forms or structures that distinguish it from the indicative mood. The subjunctive mood is widely employed across languages to convey nuances of meaning beyond straightforward factual statements.
Subjunctive Mood: Types and Examples
| Type of Subjunctive Mood | Examples |
| Present Subjunctive | It’s crucial that he be on time for the meeting. |
| I recommend that she submit her application promptly. | |
| Past Subjunctive | I wish they had taken my advice earlier. |
| If only she had known about the change in schedule. | |
| Imperfect Subjunctive | If I were in your shoes, I would reconsider my decision. |
| We would be happier if it weren’t for these constant delays. | |
| Pluperfect Subjunctive | She wished she had been more attentive during the lecture. |
| If only they had discussed the matter beforehand. | |
| Modal Subjunctive | He suggested that they should discuss the proposal thoroughly. |
| It’s vital that she should attend the training session tomorrow. | |
| Mandative Subjunctive | It is imperative that he study diligently for the upcoming exam. |
| The law requires that individuals submit their tax returns on time. |
Subjunctive Mood: Examples in Everyday Life
- Wishes:
- Example: I wish he were here with us for the celebration.
- Suggestions:
- Example: It is recommended that she attend the seminar for valuable insights.
- Hypothetical Situations:
- Example: If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world.
- Desires:
- Example: She desires that he help her with the household chores.
- Commands:
- Example: It’s crucial that everyone be present for the safety briefing.
- Requests:
- Example: I request that you complete the assignment by Friday.
- Doubts:
- Example: I doubt that he knows the answer to the complex problem.
- Necessity:
- Example: It’s necessary that the project be completed by the end of the month.
- Emotional Expressions:
- Example: I suggest that he apologize for the misunderstanding.
- Preferences:
- Example: It’s preferable that she arrive a bit early for the meeting.
These everyday examples showcase the versatility of the subjunctive mood in expressing various attitudes, uncertainties, and desires in common communication.
Subjunctive Mood in Literature: Shakespearean
| Play/Work | Example |
| Macbeth | If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly. |
| Hamlet | O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew! |
| Othello | I would do much to atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. |
| King Lear | Come not between the dragon and his wrath. |
| Romeo and Juliet | But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? |
| Julius Caesar | If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. |
| The Tempest | Full fathom five thy father lies; Of his bones are coral made. |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended. |
| Much Ado About Nothing | I would my horse had the speed of your tongue. |
| As You Like It | I would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me, complexions that liked me. |
Subjunctive Mood in Literature: Examples
- “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson:
- Example: If only they hadn’t drawn the marked slip of paper.
- “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry:
- Example: Della wishes that Jim buy her a special Christmas gift.
- “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe:
- Example: The narrator insists that he hear the old man’s heart beating beneath the floorboards.
- “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant:
- Example: Mathilde wishes that she be part of the affluent society.
- “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs:
- Example: The characters express the desire that their wishes not come true after the consequences unfold.
- “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell:
- Example: Rainsford hopes that General Zaroff be a civilized adversary.
- “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
- Example: The protagonist wishes that the wallpaper’s pattern not move.
- “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner:
- Example: Emily Grierson’s father demands that she remain unmarried.
- “The Lottery Ticket” by Anton Chekhov:
- Example: The characters fantasize about what they would do if they won the lottery.
- “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” by Ernest Hemingway:
- Example: The dying protagonist wishes that he had written certain stories.
These examples from short stories demonstrate how authors use the subjunctive mood to convey a range of emotions, desires, and hypothetical scenarios in literature.
Subjunctive Mood in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories
| Literary Theory | Relevance of Subjunctive Mood |
| Formalism | The use of the subjunctive mood in literature is crucial for formalist analysis as it shapes the structure of narratives, adding complexity and nuance to the overall form of a literary work. |
| Structuralism | Within structuralist analysis, the subjunctive mood functions as a significant linguistic element, influencing the internal relationships and meaning of a literary text as part of its larger structure. |
| Deconstruction | Deconstructionist readings may focus on the subjunctive mood’s ambiguity, deconstructing traditional meanings and emphasizing the fluidity of language and interpretation within a literary work. |
| Psychoanalytic Criticism | In psychoanalytic readings, the subjunctive mood plays a role in expressing unconscious desires, conflicts, or psychological states within characters or the narrative, contributing to a deeper understanding of the text. |
| Marxist Criticism | Marxist analysis explores how the subjunctive mood reflects societal norms, desires, and power dynamics, shedding light on class struggles or characters’ aspirations within the specific social context presented in the literature. |
| Feminist Criticism | Feminist theory examines the use of the subjunctive mood in conveying gender roles, expectations, or desires, contributing to the portrayal of female characters and their agency in the broader context of the literary work. |
| Postcolonial Criticism | Postcolonial perspectives scrutinize the subjunctive mood to uncover its role in expressing cultural identity, resistance, or the impact of colonial histories on characters and their narratives within the literary work. |
| New Criticism | New Criticism focuses on close readings of how the subjunctive mood functions within a text, exploring its symbolic or thematic significance and its contribution to the overall meaning and cohesion of the literary work. |
| Reader-Response Criticism | Reader-response theory considers how readers engage with the subjunctive mood, exploring how it invites interpretation, influences emotional responses, and shapes individual readers’ experiences of the literary work. |
| Postmodernism | Postmodernist approaches appreciate the subjunctive mood for its destabilizing effect on fixed meanings, highlighting its role in challenging meta-narratives and embracing a multiplicity of interpretations within the literary work. |
In the context of different literary theories, the subjunctive mood proves to be a versatile element, contributing to the formal structure, thematic exploration, and interpretive possibilities within literature.
Subjunctive Mood in Literature: Relevant Terms
- Apostrophe: Directly addressing absent or imaginary entities for intimacy or urgency.
- Anaphora: Repeated use at the beginning of successive clauses for rhetorical effect.
- Paradox: Expressing contradictory or thought-provoking ideas.
- Hyperbaton: Altering word order for emphasis on unreal or hypothetical conditions.
- Litotes: Enhancing understatement for nuanced or ironic effects.
- Chiasmus: Presenting parallel ideas in reverse order for rhetorical impact.
- Irony: Expressing outcomes contrary to apparent meaning.
- Epistrophe: Repetition of phrases for reinforcing rhetorical stance or theme.
- Metonymy: Conveying related concepts indirectly.
- Antithesis: Juxtaposing contrasting ideas for emphasis and rhetorical flourish.
Subjunctive Mood in Literature: Suggested Readings
- Crystal, David. English as a Global Language. Cambridge University Press, 2003.
- Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Modern Language Association of America, 2009.
- Huddleston, Rodney, and Geoffrey K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press, 2002.
- Quirk, Randolph, et al. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Longman, 1985.
- Strunk, William, and E.B. White. The Elements of Style. Pearson, 2000.