Linking Emotions to Surroundings: A Stylistic Model of Pathetic Fallacy

Abstract

This article aims to provide a stylistically founded model of pathetic fallacy (PF hereafter). Pathetic fallacy is a Romantic literary technique used in art and literature to convey emotions through natural elements. This technique has been researched mostly from a literary viewpoint, but no linguistic model exists to define it. It is difficult to identify it precisely or consensually because definitions and uses vary, and it is often associated with other techniques (i.e. personification). Despite those inconsistencies, PF is likely to be taught as part of the Department for Education subject content in the English National Curriculum for students studying English Literature at GCSE and A Level. I thus conducted a survey of English teachers to collect data on PF, and based on their answers and suggested texts, created an updated stylistic model of PF using a combination of (cognitive) stylistic frameworks. The model defines PF as a projection of emotions from an animated entity onto the surroundings. I identify three ‘linguistic indicators’ of PF in my corpus: imagery, repetition and negation. I draw on metaphor research to further analyse the metaphorical nature of PF and its effects in texts from my corpus. Four effects of PF are identified: communicating implicit emotions, building ambience, building characters and plot foreshadowing.

A stylistic model of the converse of pathetic fallacy

“…Another example of CoPF can be found in the musical Singin' in the Rain (Donen and Kelly, 1952). Indeed, in Pager-McClymont (2021, 2022, I argue that the metaphor SADNESS IS RAIN is a prototypical instance of PF. However, the lyrics of the song 'Singin' in the Rain' provide the converse of this mapping: Come on with your rain, I've got a smile on my face!…”

“…In Pager-McClymont (2021), I developed a model of PF using an interdisciplinary approach. The need for an updated and systematic model of PF stemmed from education, as the concept of PF is included in the English National Curriculum (Department for Education, 2013aEducation, , 2013b, and thus likely taught in schools.…”

“…However, there is some ambiguity in Ruskin's premise: the personification of nature or the artists' use of the environment to express their own feelings might both be considered fallacies in his view. In Pager-McClymont (2021, 2022), I point out the discrepancies in PF’s definitions by sources, as well as the lack of consistency in defining the terms within the same sources, linking it to Ruskin’s ambiguous essay. Stemming from this research is a stylistic model of PF to remedy the discrepancies and lack of consistency that surrounds the concept of PF.…”

“…An emerging part of this model of PF is its converse. In this paper, I explore how the converse of pathetic fallacy (henceforth CoPF) fits within the stylistic model of PF developed by Pager-McClymont, (2021), with the aim to answer the following research questions:• RQ1. What is CoPF and how can it be identified in texts?• RQ2.…”

The year’s work in stylistics 2021

“…The first of these theses is by Kimberley Pager McClymont (University of Huddersfield (UK), supervisors Louise Nuttall and Lesley Jeffries). Pager-McClymont (2021) used cognitive stylistics to explore pathetic fallacy, arguing that little empirical research has been conducted into what pathetic fallacy is linguistically. Using data collected from teachers, pager-McClymont found that pathetic fallacy has several effects: to communicate emotions indirectly in texts, to build characters and atmosphere in texts and as a device for plot foreshadowing.…”