Friday, January 29, 2010
Evolutionary Psychology and Austen
The critical essay you read this week for Pride and Prejudice is typical of literary criticism in that it applies a theory outside literature to literary characters. Do you think that is a valid critical method (this one specifically, but also in general)? Can you impose a reading (a heuristic) on fiction? Is the fact that the Bennet sisters marry well proof of the validity of evolutionary psychology?
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I suppose theories outside of literature are of some relevance when applied to literature, but only in as much as they apply to life itself, just as any story does. I mean if evolutionary psychology applies to real people in the real world, how could it not apply to fictional characters in a story about real life? It hardly seems revolutionary and frankly brought a rather vague and dull illumination, if any, to something already apparent.I mean no kidding about sexual selection and propogation of the species, I found myself really trying to understand things which were not only blatantly obvious but also rendered "no fun" by theories which reduced an otherwise rich texture and variety within and between the characters to nothing more than science.
ReplyDeletePride and Prejudice, although a work of fiction, is based on real-life circumstances that could have occurred in Jane Austen's time. The characters and situation are fictional, but the influences from the outside world are very real. I think that most, if not all, fictional stories have some sense of truth in them and therefore can be read with some kind of theory in mind, but it's not necessary to look for such coincidences in every piece of literature.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Bennett sisters' marriages are strong evidence to support evolutionary psychology. They go for the men with the most wealth and influence and they are always thinking about their futures as wives and mothers. However, we must remember that in modern times, many people aren't constantly thinking that far ahead and today's society is more tolerant of making choices based on passion and less on the idea of making a good business arrangement through marriage.
The critical essay we read this week attempted to validate mate selection with evolutionary psychology by providing proof from Pride and Prejudice. Although I found the article to be very interesting it is hard for me to relate facts to fiction. I know that in every piece of fiction there is some underlying truth. As a reader we often find an abundent amount of truth in literary characters anatomy, physiology, and psychology, and behaviors. Generally, authors do a very good job building characters that are convincing and based on facts. However, this is not always the case.
ReplyDeleteBecause many authors stretch the truth to make a valid argument or present a point that may be clearer than daylight, I think that literary criticism that applies a theory outside literature to literary characters is not a fool-proof method. This method of literary criticism may be good to provide proof of a theory; but I do not believe it to be factual enough to provide a valid argument.
I truly believe that with this critical essay it worked well with the reading they were using as an example, especially because these were events that truly happended during this time. Evolutionary psychology to me really just fits in with Pride and Prejudice because a reader can easily follow that article and think about different parts of the story.
ReplyDeleteIn general I think critical essays can be great, but as long as they are using a theory that truly follows along with that story because then it makes people think outside of the box, so to say, about what they are reading and makes them think about it in a different context.
It so happens that with Pride and Prejudice the Bennet sisters did fall into evolutionary psychology theory very well; however, Elizabeth stepped outside of that theory quite a bit too.
Rene,
ReplyDeleteI agree, the critical essay that we previously read did work well, but was the method used one that created a valid argument? On that note, I beg to differ. But you are completely correct. The method that relates theory to literary characters does do a good job in making people think outside the box and in a more critical nature while reading. When thinking about this method it maybe valid for theories but not to form a sturdy argument. Thanks for sharing! :0)
I consider the essay on evolutionary psychology applied to Pride and Prejudice to be incredibly interesting, but I've always had difficulty in reading any work of fiction with a perspective other than as a reader. I mean to say, certainly a case can be built to allow for a heuristic examination of a work of fiction, but the trouble comes in distinguishing between the characters and the author I think. From a removed standpoint the characters are merely extensions of the author and ultimately all that happens is willed by the author. Therefore ultimately the characters are merely translations of the author's perspective. On the other hand the characters are unique individuals in the literary eye, each with clearly identified personalities and quirks and play out with the timeline of the novel. So while yes it's interesting to view the novel with the eye of an evolutionary psychologist, I suppose one must be mindful that it's still ultimately a work of fiction; Which I guess I said in a roundabout way without really saying anything.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI just love your sarcasm and humor! I have a habit of saying things "in a roundabout way without really saying anything," but it's just my way of trying to make things make sense to those who are confused or doubtful of the point I'm trying to get across. If that makes sense.
I agree with you that it's hard to read fiction as anything other than a normal reader. I don't try to analyze every circumstance or connect events to theories and scientific explanations...I just read the story, embrace it as it is, and then move on. If I were to try to read into everything, I mean read between the (imaginary) lines all the time, I would give myself a headache and lose all interest in reading.
When evaluating the critical method of "evolutionary psychology” I would say that there is some validity to the concept based on imaginary or real life characters. Based on the characters in Pride and Prejudice the fact that women in that century had no simplistic way of supporting themselves prove to be natural to secure a husband who had an enormous amount of wealth rather than to marry for the idea of love itself.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think it is possible to impose a heuristic reading on fiction because fiction is based on the imagination of the author, and the idea of combining that with heuristic where you find ways to justify your theory based on investigation would not apply in this case.
The fact that the Bennet sister marry well is not really proof of the validity of evolutionary psychology because each of them married men who put them in separate classes of wealth from poor to rich.
Trisch
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about how the idea of “evolutionary psychology” is vague and has a dull illumination to something that is already apparent with in our society today. Even with in our society some of us choose potential mates based on wealth and others based on affection. Even in today’s society women have definitely evolved over the years and we don’t just prance around the room, or paint we now work and do everything.
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ReplyDeleteAmanda:
ReplyDeleteI agree that by adding a theory to a piece of fiction is not a fool-proof method; however, I believe that because this was a psychology thoery it is applicable to this story because during this time evolutionary psychology theory truly played out to all the characters because of social standards. I still think this theory is applicable to today because when you think about, subconsciencely, we are attracted to people who would be considered healthy. Personally, as a psychology graduate I believe that in a lot of fiction pieces a psychology theory is applicable because of the characters being an extension of the author as many of us have agreed upon. For me also, I have a tendency to think more about the psychology aspects of characters because that is my first degree and I like looking at characters as real people. Also, it makes me think about the author in some ways because I am wondering if this something they secretly desire, maybe this is their life, etc. However, Amanda, I understand what you are saying and I can see your point as well!