How do you feel? Literature’s Contribution to Learning the Granularity of Emotions

van Peer, Willie and Chesnokova, Anna (2025) How do you feel? Literature’s Contribution to Learning the Granularity of Emotions Колективна (три і більше авторів). Springer, Cham.

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Abstract

There is sound evidence that one’s skill in emotion differentiation, i.e., the ability to distinguish between one’s emotions, considerably contributes to one’s well-being. People low in this skill are at higher risk to psychopathology, while those high in it are generally healthier and better able to regulate their emotions. But how does one acquire such skills? How, in other words, can one learn about the granularity of emotions? Everyday experiences may sometimes help, but they are too erratic to systematically build on them. Also, the theoretical approaches to emotional granularity leave open the question whether differences between indi-viduals have to do with emotional sensitivity per se or with the (in)ability to label different shades of emotions. In this chapter we propose that one important cul-tural resource in this respect is offered by literature, where one can find a more elaborate vocabulary as well as more in-depth descriptions of fine-graded distinc-tions between shades of an emotion. Basically, literature (novels, stories, poems, or theatre plays) present scenarios in which characters react to emotional chal-lenges. By differentiating linguistically between gradations of feelings, readers be-come acquainted with a variety of expressions that distinguish fine-tuned differ-ences between emotions. Furthermore, literary texts also employ specific devices that compel the reader to reflect on emotional states and processes. We will provide examples of such dis-tinctions and techniques from literary texts, pointing out the high value of forming a better grasp of one’s emotional inventory.

Item Type:	Monograph (Колективна (три і більше авторів))
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Emotion; Emotion Research; Emotion differentiation; Granularity of emotions; Learning about emotions; Literature as resource; Action readiness; Reading literature; Foregrounding; Free indirect speech; Metaphor
Subjects:	Монографії > Видані в іноземному видавництві мовами ОЕСР/ЄС
Divisions:	Факультет романо-германської філології > Кафедра лінгвістики та перекладу
Depositing User:	Анна Вадимовна Чеснокова
Date Deposited:	20 Jun 2025 07:53
Last Modified:	20 Jun 2025 07:53
URI:	https://elibrary.kubg.edu.ua/id/eprint/52138

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