Bias

Introduction

Bias in literature refers to the inclination or prejudice for or against one person, group, or concept, especially in a way considered to be unfair. In literary terms, bias can shape how a story is told, influencing the reader’s perception and feelings toward characters, settings, and events. It often underpins the narrator’s attitude or the author’s tone throughout a piece. By selectively revealing or withholding information, authors can craft a narrative that subtly—or overtly—guides the reader’s emotions and opinions, creating a deeper thematic impact.

Pronunciation: Bias: /ˈbaɪ.əs/

When Do Writers Use the Bias Literary Device?

Writers employ bias to enhance their storytelling by creating a more compelling or realistic narrative. By embedding bias, whether through a character’s viewpoint, the narrator’s voice, or the overall tone of the text, authors can influence the reader’s alignment and engagement with the story. This technique is particularly useful in developing complex characters and conflict, establishing unreliable narrators, or when attempting to provoke thought and discussion about societal and moral issues. Bias can also be used to reflect the historical or cultural prejudices of a time period, adding authenticity and depth to the setting.

Rules for Using the Bias Literary Device

To effectively use bias in your writing, consider the following guidelines:

1. Determine the Purpose: Clearly understand why you are incorporating bias. Is it to challenge the reader’s perspective, to reveal character flaws, or to highlight societal issues?
2. Choose the Right Narrator: The choice of narrator is crucial when employing bias. Decide whether a first-person biased narrator or a third-person limited perspective best serves your story’s needs.
3. Subtlety is Key: Often, bias is most effective when it’s subtle. It should lure readers into a certain mindset without them fully realizing it.
4. Balance Your Bias: While bias can be a powerful tool, balancing it with moments of neutrality or contrasting perspectives can enhance its impact and prevent the narrative from becoming too one-sided.
5. Reflect on Impact: Consider how the bias affects the audience’s interpretation of the story and its characters. A well-executed bias can lead to profound insights, whereas heavy-handedness might alienate or confuse readers.

These strategies can help you harness the power of bias to create richer, more engaging literary works.

Types of Bias

In literature, bias manifests in several forms, each serving different narrative functions. Here are some key types:

1. Narrative Bias: This is the most common form, where the storyteller’s perspective influences how events and characters are depicted. This bias can be due to the narrator’s personal experiences, beliefs, or emotional states.
2. Cultural Bias: Here, the bias stems from the cultural context of the author or characters, reflecting societal norms, values, or prejudices. This type affects how different groups or ideas are portrayed within the narrative.
3. Historical Bias: This type of bias involves the representation of historical events or figures through a particular ideological lens, often reflecting the author’s own time rather than the period being described.
4. Character Bias: Characters within a story can exhibit their own biases, which influence their actions, motivations, and interactions with others. This is a deliberate choice by the author to add depth and realism to the characters.
5. Genre Bias: Often overlooked, genre bias refers to how certain genres inherently promote specific viewpoints or attitudes, such as the valorization of war in epic tales or the focus on human flaws in tragedies.

Bias in Literature

Literature often utilizes bias to enrich storytelling, develop characters, or critique society. Here are some famous literary works known for their use of bias:

1. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: Through the innocent eyes of Scout Finch, the novel explores racial injustice in the American South, showing how adult prejudices are interpreted from a child’s perspective.
2. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: Holden Caulfield’s narrative is steeped in bias against the “phoniness” of the adult world, coloring the entire novel with his cynicism and youthful disillusionment.
3. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Nick Carraway’s narration shows his biases in favor of Gatsby and his disdain for the decadence of the upper class, which colors the reader’s understanding of the characters and their actions.

Bias in Children’s Books

Children’s books often subtly incorporate bias to teach moral lessons or reflect societal norms. Some notable examples include:

1. “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein: This book reflects a bias towards selfless giving and sacrifice through the tree’s continuous giving to the boy, prompting discussions on the nature of relationships and generosity.
2. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White: The story shows bias through its portrayal of certain animals as kind, intelligent, and worthy of life, while others are not, influencing young readers’ perceptions of animals and their value.
3. “Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie: The narrative presents a romanticized and somewhat biased view of childhood as an ideal state of freedom and adventure, contrasting sharply with adult responsibilities and norms.

Bias in Poetry

Bias in poetry can be used to emphasize themes, evoke emotions, or critique social issues. Here are a few examples where poets have effectively used bias:

1. “Dulce et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen: This poem biases the reader against the glorification of war through graphic descriptions of a gas attack and the suffering of soldiers, challenging traditional patriotic sentiments.
2. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou: Angelou’s poem uses a bias of defiance and resilience against racial and gender oppression, empowering the reader to resist subjugation and prejudice.
3. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: While often interpreted as celebrating individualism, the poem subtly biases the reader towards valuing unique or less conventional life choices through the speaker’s reflection on his own decisions.

These examples across different forms and genres show how bias is a versatile and powerful tool in literature, used to shape narratives and influence readers’ perspectives.

Bias in Songs

Songs frequently use bias to convey strong emotions or viewpoints, reflecting the songwriter’s perspectives on social issues, politics, or personal experiences. Here are ten famous songs that exhibit bias:

1. “Imagine” by John Lennon – Promotes a utopian world view, biased against national borders, religions, and material wealth.
2. “American Idiot” by Green Day – Expresses a bias against American media culture and political climate.
3. “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar – Reflects biases rooted in racial injustice and police brutality, offering a hopeful perspective for African American communities.
4. “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen – Criticizes American policies and the treatment of veterans, contrary to its often misunderstood patriotic chorus.
5. “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy – Targets racial bias and authority, urging resistance against oppression.
6. “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” by Marvin Gaye – Shows a bias towards environmental concerns and the impact of human actions on the planet.
7. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2 – Highlights the bias and anguish caused by the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
8. “The Times They Are a-Changin’” by Bob Dylan – Calls for societal change and reflects a generational bias towards progress and activism.
9. “Formation” by Beyoncé – Celebrates Black culture and features bias towards empowerment and social identity.
10. “Zombie” by The Cranberries – Biased against violence and the endless cycle of conflict, specifically referencing the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Bias in Movies

Movies often use bias to develop their narratives, characters, or themes, influencing viewers’ perceptions and emotions. Here are some famous examples of bias in movies:

1. “Schindler’s List” – Presents a strong anti-genocide bias while recounting the Holocaust, highlighting the moral extremes of humanity.
2. “The Help” – Shows racial bias and the civil rights struggle through the eyes of African American maids working in white households in the 1960s.
3. “Crash” – Explores racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, using multiple perspectives to highlight personal biases and prejudices.
4. “12 Angry Men” – Focuses on biases in the justice system, depicting how personal prejudices can affect jurors’ decisions.
5. “Avatar” – Illustrates bias against indigenous peoples and environmental exploitation.
6. “American History X” – Deals with the biases of racism and redemption through the life of a former neo-Nazi.
7. “To Kill a Mockingbird” – Showcases racial and class biases in a small Southern town during the Depression era.
8. “The Social Network” – Reflects biases related to social status, innovation, and the cutthroat nature of business.
9. “A Beautiful Mind” – Shows bias against mental illness through the life of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician.
10. “Hotel Rwanda” – Addresses the bias and indifference of the international community during the Rwandan genocide.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Bias

“You can’t handle the truth!”

This iconic line from “A Few Good Men” highlights the bias of those in power believing that the truth is too complex or damaging for others, or that they themselves are above scrutiny.

YouTube Link Demonstrating Bias

Watch on YouTube This clip from “To Kill a Mockingbird” demonstrates bias through the lens of racial injustice during a pivotal courtroom scene.

Bias in Advertising

Advertising often utilizes bias to influence consumer behavior, appeal to specific demographics, or reinforce societal stereotypes. Here are some notable examples:

1. Ads targeting specific genders – Beauty products for women often emphasize youth and beauty, while men’s products might focus on strength or ruggedness.
2. Political ads – Frequently use bias to portray candidates in a favorable light or opponents negatively, appealing to emotions rather than facts.
3. Fast food commercials – Show bias towards a lifestyle of convenience and enjoyment, downplaying health concerns.
4. Luxury car ads – Bias towards exclusivity and status, suggesting that owning such a car reflects personal success.
5. Public service announcements – Use bias to encourage societal behaviors, like anti-smoking ads highlighting the dangers while omitting potential difficulties of quitting.

Bias-Related Literary Devices

Several literary devices relate to or enhance the effect of bias in writing:

1. Irony – Often used to highlight discrepancies between the expected outcome and the actual situation, subtly pointing out biases or assumptions.
2. Satire – Exposes and criticizes societal flaws and biases through humor, irony, or exaggeration.
3. Allegory – Uses metaphor and symbolism to discuss abstract ideas, often biased to promote a particular moral or political point.
4. Foreshadowing – Can be biased in how it selectively presents information to the reader to create expectations or suspense.
5. Selective Detailing – Emphasizes certain aspects while omitting others to shape the reader’s perceptions and biases.

These devices can be powerful tools for influencing how bias is perceived and interpreted in literature and other forms of media.