Literary Terms - Attitude

 

Literary Terms

Attitude 

Definition of Attitude

In literature, the term "attitude" refers to the perspective, tone, or disposition that an author adopts towards a particular subject, character, or theme within their work. It reflects the author's feelings, beliefs, and values, which can significantly influence the way the story is presented and how readers interpret it.

Attitude in literature is often conveyed through the author's choice of words, sentence structure, and overall style. It can manifest in various ways, such as humor, irony, sarcasm, sympathy, criticism, admiration, or indifference. The attitude an author conveys can impact the reader's emotional response to the text and shape their understanding of the themes and characters.

For example, an author might adopt a sympathetic attitude towards a struggling protagonist, using language that elicits empathy from readers. Conversely, an author might use a critical attitude to highlight flaws in a character or society, employing sharp and satirical language.

Overall, the attitude expressed by an author contributes to the overall tone and atmosphere of a literary work, enhancing the reader's engagement and helping to convey deeper layers of meaning.

Examples of Attitude in Literature

Here are a few examples of how attitude is conveyed in literature:

Satirical Attitude:

In Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," the author uses a satirical attitude to criticize and mock various aspects of society and human nature. Through the absurd adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, Swift satirizes political systems, human vanity, and societal norms, showcasing his critical perspective.

Sympathetic Attitude:

In Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," the author adopts a sympathetic attitude toward the character of Boo Radley. Through Scout and Jem's changing perceptions of Boo, Lee generates empathy for this reclusive character, humanizing him despite the mystery that surrounds him.

Ironic Attitude:

Jane Austen often employs an ironic attitude in her novels, including "Pride and Prejudice." The disconnect between characters' perceptions of themselves and how they are perceived by others creates irony. For example, Mr. Collins's self-importance and Elizabeth Bennet's initial prejudice lead to ironic situations.

Critical Attitude:

George Orwell's "1984" presents a critical attitude toward totalitarianism and government control. The bleak portrayal of a dystopian society serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting Orwell's concerns about the abuse of power.

Admiring Attitude:

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," the narrator Nick Carraway's admiration for Jay Gatsby is evident through his descriptions and reactions. Despite Gatsby's flaws, Nick's admiring attitude towards his ambition and optimism shapes the reader's perception of the character.

Cynical Attitude:

J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" features a cynical attitude, as the protagonist Holden Caulfield expresses disdain for the adult world's hypocrisy and phoniness. His narrative voice reflects his skepticism and disillusionment.

Humorous Attitude:

Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is filled with humorous attitude, often stemming from Huck's perspective on the world around him. Twain's use of colloquial language and Huck's witty observations create a lighthearted tone.

Indifferent Attitude:

Ernest Hemingway's minimalist writing style often conveys an indifferent attitude, where characters' emotions are left largely unexpressed. In "The Old Man and the Sea," Santiago's stoicism in the face of challenges reflects an attitude of resilience and quiet determination.

These examples showcase how authors utilize attitude to shape the tone, themes, and reader experience in their literary works. Attitude is a powerful tool that helps authors communicate their perspectives and evoke specific emotional responses from their audience.

Function of Attitude

The function of attitude in literature serves several important purposes, enhancing the depth and impact of the writing. Attitude plays a crucial role in shaping the overall tone, character development, and themes of a literary work. Here are some key functions of attitude in literature:

Characterization: Attitude helps define characters by revealing their beliefs, values, and personalities through their thoughts, actions, and interactions. The attitudes characters hold towards others, events, or circumstances provide insights into their motivations and conflicts.

Tone Setting: Attitude contributes significantly to the tone of a literary work. The author's attitude influences whether the tone is humorous, solemn, satirical, sympathetic, or critical. The tone, in turn, affects how readers emotionally engage with the text.

Theme Reinforcement: Attitude can reinforce and emphasize the themes present in a literary work. By aligning the author's attitude with certain themes, the text gains coherence and depth. The attitude helps guide readers' understanding of the themes being explored.

Reader Engagement: A strong attitude captures readers' attention and encourages them to form emotional connections with the story, characters, and themes. A well-crafted attitude can evoke empathy, sympathy, curiosity, or even disagreement, drawing readers into the narrative.

Social and Cultural Commentary: Attitude in literature often reflects the author's commentary on societal and cultural issues. By adopting a particular attitude, authors can critique or explore aspects of human behavior, values, and norms within their fictional worlds.

Irony and Humor: Attitude is essential for conveying irony and humor. Authors use attitudes such as sarcasm, irony, and wit to create comedic or thought-provoking situations. These attitudes can also highlight contradictions and absurdities within the story.

Conflict Generation: Differing attitudes among characters can lead to conflicts and tensions in the plot. Clashes of attitude can drive character development and plot progression, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.

Reader Interpretation: Attitude allows for multiple layers of interpretation. Readers may perceive subtle nuances in the attitude expressed, leading to varied interpretations of characters and themes. This complexity invites readers to engage actively with the text.

Empathy and Identification: An author's attitude towards characters can shape readers' empathy and identification. If the author conveys sympathy or admiration for a character, readers are more likely to connect emotionally with that character's journey.

Authorial Voice: Attitude contributes to an author's unique voice and style. A consistent attitude can become a hallmark of an author's work, making their writing easily recognizable.

In essence, attitude serves as a lens through which readers view the literary world. It influences the emotional experience, intellectual engagement, and overall impact of the work. By carefully crafting attitude, authors can convey their perspectives, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impression on their audience.