Embracing Earned Sentiments in Literature: Insight from Literary Masters-(and Me)
Sentimentality in writing has been both revered and criticized. Some definitions of sentimentality say it’s about excess emotion. Could too much feeling be bad in literature? When writing about sentimentality in this article, I’m exploring how to create an emotionally honest experience for the writer, rather than presenting a superficially positive view.
When I studied for my MFA at Bennington, most professors eschewed sentimentality. This was an issue for me because, while I believe in telling the truth, I wanted to find the positives. I learned that when used effectively, sentimentality (not the excess kind) can deeply move readers, forging a powerful connection between the story and its audience. However, when employed poorly, it may result in forced and weak emotions that fail to resonate with readers. It turns them off.
In my MFA workshops, critiquers would virtually stone writing they felt was sappy. After seeing one sentimental (and perhaps there were syrupy elements to her essay) author sobbing, I began to move to darker themes to avoid a similar fate. And that was a good thing because I needed to spend time with ugly and difficult realities to learn more about honesty in my work. Yet, overall, most of my writing does move through darkness— when I can do so honestly. Understanding the difference between earned sentimentality and its less impactful counterparts is essential. Let's explore how to wield sentiment skillfully, avoid clichés, and create an authentic emotional experience, challenging the notion that sentiment is inherently bad.
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Grasping the Essence of Earned Sentimentality
According to Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, "The best art is political and you ought to be able to make it unquestionably political and irrevocably beautiful at the same time." Earned sentimentality springs from authentic emotional experiences portrayed in a story. It establishes a genuine connection between characters and readers, evoking empathy and understanding. Work for authenticity rather than happiness. One of my students summed it up for me when she responded to my concerns about all her happily-ever-after endings. She said, "Oh, you don't believe all my hunky-dory wrap-ups." She understood. And her writing moved to honesty with a mix of darkness and moments of insight and light. When Toni Morrison spoke of the best art being "political," I believe she was saying that honest writing has some dissatisfaction with the power structures and inequities of our lives.
Example of Earned Sentimentality:
In "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, the relationship between Atticus Finch and his daughter Scout showcases a desirable father-daughter bond. The tenderness and care displayed between them elicit genuine emotions from readers, creating an earned sentimental impact. I recently saw Aaron Sorkin's stage adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The father-daughter-son bond was just as strong, but Copernicus was no longer only the black housekeeper and child-rearer. She was angry; and she had her say. More anger didn’t diminish the emotional warmth of the family relationships. It also felt real that Atticus, while an admired character, didn’t have all the insight and anger of Copernicus. Sorkin’s update added darkness but didn’t diminish the warm sentimentality. Perhaps it was more complicated, more real.
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Recognizing the Pitfalls of Forced Sentimentality
Acclaimed author Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Forced sentimentality arises when emotions are artificially inserted into the narrative, lacking genuine depth and connection. This approach often relies on clichéd phrases or exaggerated situations, leaving readers unconvinced and emotionally detached. My students have argued with me when I told them lines like “she meant everything to our family” don’t mean anything to the reader. The words are a lazy conclusion. The idea isn’t to have your reader know you think she means everything to you. The idea is for the reader to have an experience with these characters-in fiction or nonfiction or verse so that the reader concludes: “Oh wow, she’s exceptional and essential to the life and happiness of her family. She’s awesome.”
Example of Forced Sentimentality:
"Her tears fell like a waterfall, and her heart shattered into a million pieces." This overwrought description lacks specificity and genuine emotional depth, coming across as forced sentimentality.
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The Power of Specifics: Insights from John Steinbeck
Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck once observed, "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." Using specific details and vivid imagery immerses readers in the emotional experience, making it more relatable and powerful.
Example of Specifics:
Rather than writing, "He was sad," describe how his shoulders slumped, and he turned his head to hide the unwelcome tears.
Readers will feel the weight of his sadness and connect with the character on a deeper level. Read more examples of specificity.
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Show: Advice from Anton Chekhov
Russian playwright and short-story writer Anton Chekhov emphasized the significance of showing emotions rather than telling readers about them. By showing emotions through actions, thoughts, and dialogue, writers allow readers to experience the feelings firsthand.
Example of Show:
Instead of stating, "She was devastated," show her collapsing to the floor, clutching a crumpled letter to her chest.
- The Experience vs. The Sentiment: An Insight from Edgar Allan Poe
Master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe said, "Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality." Authentic truth is the writer's goal.
Example of Experience vs. Sentiment:
Instead of directly stating, "He loved her deeply," narrate a scene where he quietly sacrifices something the reader understands he deeply wants for her. Perhaps he passes up an opportunity to buy car he always wanted, or agrees to not have children. Whatever it is, make the reader understand the stakes, and the sacrifice. Then your reader will feel his loss and love.
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Sentimentality as a Literary Asset: A View from Virginia Woolf
Renowned author Virginia Woolf asserted, "Fiction is like a spider's web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners." Although sentimentality is often considered a negative aspect of literature, it can be a valuable tool when handled with care. Earned sentimentality, rooted in genuine emotions and experiences, can elevate a story, making it more relatable and memorable.
Writers can navigate the realm of sentimentality in literature. Embrace earned sentimentality, employ vivid specifics, and create an emotional experience that leaves a lasting impact on readers. Avoid clichés and forced emotions and let your characters' (real or constructed) genuine emotions shine through.
Sentimentality can be a potent literary tool when approached with authenticity and finesse, defying the misconception that it is unwelcome in literary circles. Craft your stories with a balance of earned sentimentality and hard realities. Spotlighting joy and goodness without acknowledging the darkness is often dishonest. Embracing darkness without light is also fraudulent. This doesn’t mean that everything you write is equally balanced. A story may call for darkness. An essay may navigate joy. Barry Lopez said ”There are simply no answers to some of the great pressing questions. You continue to live them out, making your life a worthy expression of leaning into the light.” Sigh, Barry Lopez. Barry Lopez. His authenticity and compassionate empathy amid suffering and pain always help me to encounter insight and glimpse the light.
