What is the term for the quality in a work that prompts the reader to feel pity?

Pathos is the term that describes the quality in a work that evokes feelings of pity or sadness in the reader. This literary device is essential in storytelling and persuasive writing, as it aims to connect with the audience on an emotional level. When a piece of writing effectively employs pathos, it can evoke empathy and stir strong emotions, which can lead to a deeper engagement with the material.

The other terms listed do not relate directly to evoking pity. For instance, pedantic refers to a narrow or trivial focus on academic learning or literary details, often in an ostentatious manner. Parenthetical is a term used to describe supplementary information or explanations that are added into sentences but do not stand as main thoughts. Parallelism, on the other hand, is a rhetorical device that involves the use of similar grammatical structures in phrases or clauses to create balance and flow. None of these terms capture the essence of emotional influence as effectively as pathos does.