Introduction
Digression is a literary device where the writer temporarily departs from the main topic or narrative to explore a related or unrelated subject. This technique is often used to provide background information, offer commentary, or inject humor and personal reflections. While it might seem like a detour, a well-crafted digression can enrich the main narrative and provide readers with additional insights or entertainment.
Pronunciation
dy-GREH-shuhn
How Writers Use Digression
Writers use digression to:
- Provide Background Information: Offer context or additional details that enhance understanding.
- Develop Characters: Reveal more about characters through anecdotes or personal reflections.
- Inject Humor: Add light-hearted or amusing content to engage the reader.
- Offer Commentary: Present the writer’s opinions or insights on various topics.
- Create Suspense: Delay the main narrative to build anticipation.
Types of Digression
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Informative Digression | Provides additional background or context. | In Moby-Dick, Melville digresses to explain the process of whaling. |
| Character Development Digression | Offers insights into a character’s thoughts or past. | In Great Expectations, Dickens digresses to explore Pip’s memories. |
| Humorous Digression | Adds humor or light-hearted content. | In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Adams often digresses with funny anecdotes. |
| Philosophical Digression | Explores deeper philosophical or ethical questions. | In Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky digresses to discuss moral dilemmas. |
| Narrative Digression | Temporarily shifts to a different storyline or event. | In The Odyssey, Homer digresses to recount various myths and legends. |
Rules of Digression
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Relevance | Ensure the digression relates to the main narrative or themes. |
| Engagement | Keep the digression interesting and engaging for the reader. |
| Balance | Avoid excessive digressions that detract from the main story. |
| Clarity | Clearly signal the beginning and end of the digression. |
| Purpose | Use digressions purposefully to enhance the narrative or provide valuable insights. |
Examples of Digression in Different Media
Digression in Literature
| Title | Author | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Moby-Dick | Herman Melville | Melville frequently digresses to discuss whaling techniques and whale biology. |
| The Catcher in the Rye | J.D. Salinger | Holden Caulfield digresses with various anecdotes and observations about life. |
| Les Misérables | Victor Hugo | Hugo digresses into historical and social commentary, such as the Battle of Waterloo. |
Digression in Children’s Books
| Title | Author | Example |
| Winnie-the-Pooh | A.A. Milne | Milne digresses with charming anecdotes about Pooh’s friends and their adventures. |
| Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland | Lewis Carroll | Carroll often digresses with whimsical stories and poems. |
| The Chronicles of Narnia | C.S. Lewis | Lewis digresses with background stories about Narnia’s history and characters. |
Digression in Poetry
| Poem | Poet | Example |
| The Waste Land | T.S. Eliot | Eliot digresses with various cultural and historical references. |
| Don Juan | Lord Byron | Byron frequently digresses with humorous and satirical commentary. |
| The Prelude | William Wordsworth | Wordsworth digresses to reflect on his past and philosophical musings. |
Digression in Songs
| Song | Artist | Example |
| Alice’s Restaurant | Arlo Guthrie | Guthrie digresses into a humorous monologue about his arrest and trial. |
| Subterranean Homesick Blues | Bob Dylan | Dylan digresses with rapid-fire lyrics about various societal issues. |
| Bohemian Rhapsody | Queen | The song digresses into different musical styles and narratives. |
Digression in Movies
| Movie | Scene | Example |
| Pulp Fiction | Dialogue Scenes | Tarantino digresses with character conversations that reveal more about them. |
| The Big Lebowski | Various Scenes | The Coen Brothers digress with humorous and philosophical asides. |
| Amélie | Narration | The film digresses to provide backstories and details about minor characters. |
YouTube Links:
Digression in Advertising
| Advertisement | Company | Example |
| Old Spice | Old Spice | The commercials digress with absurd and humorous scenarios. |
| Geico | Geico | Ads often digress with unexpected and funny narratives. |
| Dos Equis | Dos Equis | “The Most Interesting Man in the World” ads digress with exaggerated stories. |
YouTube Links:
- Old Spice – The Man Your Man Could Smell Like
- Geico – Hump Day
- Dos Equis – The Most Interesting Man in the World
FAQs about Digression
What is digression in literature?
Digression in literature is a temporary departure from the main topic or narrative to explore a related or unrelated subject, providing background, commentary, or humor.
How does digression differ from other literary devices?
Digression specifically involves deviating from the main narrative, while other literary devices, like foreshadowing or flashbacks, directly contribute to the story’s progression.
Can digression be used in all types of writing?
Yes, digression can be effectively used in various types of writing, including literature, poetry, songs, movies, and advertising, to provide additional insights and engagement.
Why is digression important in writing?
Digression is important because it enriches the main narrative, offers background information, develops characters, injects humor, and engages readers with additional content.
Related Devices
Flashback
A scene set in a time earlier than the main story, used to provide background or context.
Foreshadowing
A literary device that hints at events to come, building anticipation and suspense.
Parenthesis
An explanatory or qualifying word, clause, or sentence inserted into a passage.
Anecdote
A short, amusing, or interesting story about a real incident or person, often used to illustrate a point.
Stream of Consciousness
A narrative mode that depicts the continuous flow of thoughts and feelings of a character.