The phrase, when referencing a literary work, describes a story the place characters try to keep up a facade of normalcy or optimism within the face of impending hazard or misfortune. This typically includes ignoring or downplaying critical threats to alleviate nervousness, both their very own or that of others. A narrative using this trope would possibly function characters who’re conscious of a looming disaster however select to interact in frivolous actions as a coping mechanism, fairly than addressing the issue immediately.
The importance of such a story lies in its exploration of human psychology underneath duress. By depicting people resorting to denial or superficial cheerfulness, these tales supply perception into coping mechanisms, each wholesome and unhealthy, when going through uncertainty. Traditionally, themes reflecting this habits have appeared throughout numerous genres, offering a method to look at societal anxieties throughout instances of upheaval, comparable to warfare, financial despair, or existential threats.
