PATHETIC FALLACY

 PATHETIC FALLACY

 

Introduction
Pathetic fallacy is a literary device where human emotions or qualities are given to nature, objects, or animals. The term was first used by the Victorian critic John Ruskin in the 19th century. He explained it as the false appearance of emotion in nature, especially when nature seems to reflect a character’s mood. Writers use this technique to create strong emotional effects and connect the reader with the inner world of the character. It is common in poetry and fiction, especially in Romantic and Gothic literature.

 

Meaning and Definition

The word “pathetic” comes from the Greek word pathos, meaning emotion or feeling. “Fallacy” means a false idea or mistake. So, pathetic fallacy means giving false human feelings to non-human things, especially in nature. It is not a logical error but a creative tool used in literature to reflect mood or deepen a theme. When a writer describes the weather as “angry” or says “the trees whispered in sorrow,” they are using pathetic fallacy.

 

Use in Literature

Pathetic fallacy helps to mirror the feelings of characters through their surroundings. For example, if a character is heartbroken and the sky turns grey with rain, it creates a sense of unity between the character’s mood and nature. It strengthens the emotional tone and helps the reader understand the inner state of the character.

 

In Romantic poetry, pathetic fallacy is widely used. Poets like William Wordsworth and Percy Bysshe Shelley often described nature as alive with human feeling. Wordsworth, in many of his poems, shows nature responding to the poet’s emotions. In Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind, the wind is called a “Destroyer and Preserver,” giving it active, human-like power.

 

Examples from Poetry and Fiction

In Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, the wild weather on the moors matches the passionate and violent emotions of the characters. The stormy nights reflect the storm in the characters’ lives.

 

In Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, when Pip is feeling scared and confused, the weather is foggy and dark. The fog reflects his uncertainty and emotional struggle.

 

In William Blake’s poems, especially The Sick Rose, natural objects are used to reflect deep emotional and moral conditions.

 

Difference from Personification

While both pathetic fallacy and personification give human qualities to non-human things, they are slightly different.

  • Personification is broader. It can be used for creativity or fun.
  • Pathetic fallacy is more emotional. It reflects the mood of a character or the tone of the story.

For example:

  • Personification: “The wind danced across the field.”
  • Pathetic fallacy: “The angry storm screamed as he left her.”

The second one reflects the emotions of a scene or person, so it is a pathetic fallacy.

 

Purpose and Effect

Writers use pathetic fallacy to:

  • Reflect or emphasize a character’s feelings
  • Create a powerful emotional setting
  • Make nature or surroundings feel alive and involved
  • Strengthen the tone of a poem or story

This technique helps the reader to connect more deeply with the character and the mood of the scene. It makes the writing more vivid and poetic.

 

Criticism and Acceptance

John Ruskin originally criticized the use of pathetic fallacy because he felt it showed a lack of truth in art. He believed that good writing should describe the world as it is. However, later critics and writers accepted it as a useful literary tool. Today, it is recognized as a powerful way to link human emotion with the physical world.

 

Conclusion
Pathetic fallacy is a simple but powerful literary device that connects nature and emotion. It makes feelings more vivid by letting the world around the characters reflect their inner states. From Romantic poetry to Gothic novels, this technique helps writers create emotional scenes and strong imagery. Though once criticized, pathetic fallacy is now a respected part of literary expression, showing how closely human beings are tied to the world around them.

 

REFERENCE
Ruskin, John. Modern Painters, Vol. III.
Brontë, Emily. Wuthering Heights.
Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations.
Wordsworth, William. Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey.
Shelley, P. B. Ode to the West Wind.

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