What is "convention" in language and literature? (MEG 101 CHAUCER)

 What is "convention" in language and literature?

In language and literature, convention refers to a set of established and widely-accepted practices, customs, or techniques that are used in creating, interpreting, and evaluating works of art. Conventions can apply to various aspects of literature, including genre, form, style, and content.

For example, in poetry, there are certain conventions that are often followed in terms of meter, rhyme, and stanza structure. In the genre of tragedy, there are conventions such as the tragic hero, the fall from grace, and the sense of catharsis at the end. In the novel, conventions include elements like character development, plot structure, and narrative voice.

Conventions serve a variety of purposes in literature. They can provide a framework for writers to work within and give readers a sense of what to expect from a particular work. They can also create a sense of continuity and tradition within a particular literary tradition or genre. However, conventions can also be limiting or confining, and some writers may choose to subvert or challenge them in order to create new and innovative works.