Final answer:
The correct term for the over-reliance on emotional effect and bathos in literature is b)sentimentality, which often results in melodramatic and unrealistically emotional characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Emotional Effect in Literature:
Over-reliance on emotional effect in literature, often referred to as sentimentality or bathos, can lead to a dramatic, exaggerated display of emotions that detracts from the literary work's merit. This concept is closely related to the critical term sentimentality, which denotes an appeal to feelings rather than rational arguments. When a writer uses sentimentality, characters may become overly emotional and deviate from realistic or nuanced behavior, often resulting in melodrama. While a round character is complex and capable of surprising readers in believable ways, a flat character lacks depth and does not evolve throughout the story, thus often representing sentimentality when emotions are overemphasized.
Famous critic E.M. Forster remarked on the importance of the balance between flat and round characters in his work Aspects of the Novel. For example, he gave credence to the notion that round characters, like Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice, are essential as they experience changes and development, contrasting with static, flat characters such as Mrs. Bennet, indicative of characteristic simplicity. This dynamic mirrors the intricacies of human experiences and is essential for a successful narrative.
Thus, when answering the question about over-reliance on emotional effect and bathos, the correct terminology in this context is B. sentimentality, which aptly captures the tendency in literature to prioritize emotion over substantial character development and realistic portrayals.