literalism

/ˈlɪtərəˌlɪzəm/
noun
  1. The practice of understanding words and statements exactly as they are written, without looking for hidden or figurative meanings.
    • The teacher explained that literalism can sometimes cause confusion when reading poetry.
    • His literalism made it hard for him to understand jokes or sarcasm.
    • In legal documents, literalism is often used to interpret the exact wording of a contract.
  2. In art or literature, a style that represents things exactly as they appear in real life, without exaggeration or abstraction.
    • Some critics argue that literalism in film limits the director's creative expression.
    • The novel's literalism made the historical setting feel incredibly real to readers.
    • The painter's literalism captured every detail of the landscape, from the blades of grass to the clouds.
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