Posts

Showing posts from June 21, 2025

Decorum

Decorum in literature means the idea that a work of art, especially in poetry, drama, or fiction, should follow proper style, tone, and subject that match the character, setting, or situation. It is about using language and behavior that fits what is being described. If something is serious, it should be written in a serious style. If something is simple or funny, the style should also match. Main Ideas of Decorum Fitness of Style – The way something is written should match what is being talked about. A king should speak with noble words, and a clown should speak in a funny or simple way. Proper Behavior – Characters in literature should act in ways that are suitable for their role, status, and the situation. Classical Rules – In ancient Greek and Roman writing, decorum was very important. Writers like Horace and Aristotle believed that good literature must follow the rules of decorum. Balance and Harmony – Decorum keeps the work balanced. It avoids mixing serious and comi...

Deconstruction

Deconstruction is a way of reading and understanding literature that shows how language is not fixed and meanings are never fully stable. It was developed by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida in the late 20th century. Deconstruction looks closely at texts to show that words can have different meanings, and that a text can sometimes contradict itself, even when it seems clear. Main Ideas of Deconstruction No Fixed Meaning – Deconstruction says that words and texts do not have one clear meaning. The meaning can change depending on how we read it. Language is Unstable – Since words are defined by other words, and those words also change, language becomes full of uncertainty. Binary Oppositions – Literature often uses opposites like light/dark, good/evil, male/female. Deconstruction shows how these pairs are not truly separate and how one side often depends on the other. Reading Against the Text – Deconstruction reads a text in a way that looks for gaps, contradictions, or...

Decadence

  Decadence in literature refers to a movement or style that shows a love for art, beauty, and luxury, often mixed with a sense of decline, moral weakness, and loss of traditional values. Writers linked to decadence often focus on emotions, dreams, imagination, and the darker sides of human experience. They reject the common ideas of hard work, progress, or moral duty, and instead explore beauty for its own sake. Main Features of Decadent Literature Focus on Beauty and Art – Decadent writers believe art should exist only to give pleasure and beauty, not to teach morals. Rejection of Society’s Rules – They often break traditional rules of right and wrong and show interest in things considered unnatural or forbidden. Use of Rich and Decorative Language – The style is often filled with detailed descriptions, unusual words, and musical rhythm. Themes of Decline and Decay – Many works show characters or societies that are falling apart, both physically and morally. Dreamlike...

Darwinian Literary Studies

Darwinian literary studies is a modern approach to literature that uses the ideas of Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution to understand how stories, characters, and emotions in literature reflect human nature. This method looks at literature as a product of the human mind, shaped by evolution, biology, and natural instincts. Main Features of Darwinian Literary Studies Human Nature and Evolution – It explores how literature shows basic human desires like survival, love, family, competition, and social bonding. Characters as Human Types – It sees characters as examples of real human behavior shaped by evolution over time. Biological Roots of Emotions – It studies how emotions in literature, such as fear, jealousy, or love, come from deep natural instincts. Storytelling as a Survival Tool – It suggests that storytelling helped humans pass on important knowledge and values for survival. Important Thinkers in This Field Joseph Carroll – A key figure in Darwinian litera...