What does 'pathos' in literature refer to?

The term 'pathos' in literature refers to the emotional appeal used to elicit feelings of sympathy, pity, or sorrow in the audience towards characters or situations within a narrative. It is a crucial rhetorical device that writers employ to connect with their readers on a deeper emotional level, helping them to feel invested in the characters' experiences and struggles. By invoking pathos, authors can enhance the impact of their storytelling, making themes and messages more poignant and relatable.

This understanding of pathos is rooted in the broader context of persuasive communication where it is one of the three modes of persuasion, alongside ethos (credibility) and logos (logic). While it might appear that the other options could relate to literature in some way, they each address concepts that are distinct from the emotional resonance described by pathos. For instance, the effective argument refers more to logical structures and reasoning than to emotional appeal. The quality of being overly scholarly pertains to an academic style, and the specific rhythmic structure in poetry relates to form and meter rather than emotional connection. Thus, the focus on sympathy and emotional response makes the identification of pathos with creating sympathy for characters the most accurate.