Based on the information I have, here are the terms in chronological order with their definitions, origins, and examples.
1. Egotistical Sublime
Coined by: John Keats
When: In a letter to Richard Woodhouse, dated October 27, 1818.
Definition: A term used by Keats to critique the poetry of William Wordsworth. It describes a style where the poet's own ego and subjective experiences are so dominant that they overshadow the natural world or the external subject being described. Keats believed that Wordsworth's poetry was too focused on his personal self and his individual interpretation of the world, rather than allowing the natural beauty to stand on its own.
Example: A poem about a sunset where the poet spends more time reflecting on his personal emotions and memories evoked by the colors of the sky, rather than describing the physical beauty and awe of the sunset itself. The focus shifts from the sublime natural phenomenon to the poet's internal state.
2. Willing Suspension of Disbelief
Coined by: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
When: In his 1817 work, Biographia Literaria.
Definition: This term refers to the willingness of a reader or audience to temporarily set aside their critical faculties and accept the improbable or fantastical elements of a story in order to enjoy the narrative. Coleridge argued that this act of "poetic faith" is essential for appreciating works of fiction, especially those with supernatural or magical themes.
Example: When watching a superhero movie, you willingly accept that a person can fly and has superhuman strength, even though you know these things are not possible in reality. This suspension of disbelief allows you to become engrossed in the story and the characters' journey without constantly questioning its plausibility.
3. Intentional Fallacy
Coined by: W. K. Wimsatt Jr. and Monroe C. Beardsley
When: In their 1946 essay, "The Intentional Fallacy."
Definition: This is a concept in literary criticism that argues against judging or interpreting a work of art based on the author's stated or presumed intentions. Wimsatt and Beardsley contended that the meaning of a text resides solely within the text itself—its words, structure, and imagery—and not in what the author may have intended to convey. The author's biography or personal statements are external to the work and should not be used as a basis for its analysis.
Example: A critic reviewing a novel claims that a character's actions are a direct reflection of a traumatic event in the author's own life, even though the novel itself does not explicitly make this connection. According to the intentional fallacy, this interpretation is flawed because it relies on biographical information outside the text, rather than on the evidence provided by the narrative itself.Yes, John Ruskin coined or popularized several important terms, particularly in the fields of art and literary criticism, as well as political economy. The most famous of these is the "pathetic fallacy."
Pathetic Fallacy
Coined by: John Ruskin
When: In his 1856 work, Modern Painters, Volume III.
Definition: The term describes the attribution of human emotions and feelings to inanimate objects or to nature. Ruskin used it to criticize what he saw as a false and heightened emotionalism in poetry, arguing that it represents a departure from a truthful and realistic portrayal of the world. He considered it a sign of a mind in a state of emotional turmoil or weakness.
Example: Saying "the cruel, crawling foam" as a description of waves, or "the smiling, happy sun." The foam is not cruel, and the sun does not have emotions; these are human feelings projected onto natural phenomena. Ruskin believed a more truthful description would simply state the facts, like "the sun shone brightly" or "the waves crashed on the shore."
Other Notable Terms and Concepts
Ruskin also introduced or championed other influential ideas:
Illth: A term he created in his 1862 essays, Unto This Last, as the opposite of "wealth." While wealth is something that contributes to life and human well-being, "illth" is anything that causes sickness, poverty, or decay.
The Seven Lamps of Architecture: This concept from his 1849 book provides seven guiding principles for architecture: Sacrifice, Truth, Power, Beauty, Life, Memory, and Obedience. He believed that good architecture must reflect these moral qualities.
Truth to Nature: A core principle of his art criticism, particularly in Modern Painters. It advocates for artists to depict nature with meticulous accuracy and honesty, believing that this truthful representation is a moral and spiritual act.
Negative Capability
Coined by: John Keats
When: In a letter to his brothers, George and Tom, dated December 21, 1817.
Definition: Keats used this term to describe the special genius of a great writer, which he saw "so enormously" in Shakespeare. It is the capacity to be "in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason." Keats contrasted this with the more philosophical and opinionated style of poets like Coleridge, who he believed were too eager to impose their own beliefs and rational explanations on the world. For Keats, Shakespeare's brilliance lay in his ability to submerge his own ego and simply present life's complexities and contradictions as they are, without trying to resolve them.
Example: In Shakespeare's tragedies, such as King Lear, there is no single, clear moral message or tidy conclusion. The play presents a world filled with chaos, suffering, and injustice, and allows the audience to experience the mystery of human nature without providing a simple answer or resolution. Shakespeare's "negative capability" allows him to fully inhabit the minds of both heroic and villainous characters, presenting their perspectives without forcing a singular moral judgment.
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