Oversentimentalization

Oversentimentalization refers to the excessive indulgence in or expression of sentimentality. It is a tendency to be overly emotional or to react with disproportionate feeling to a situation, event, or work of art. This often involves an emphasis on pathos, or emotional appeal, to the point where it detracts from the objective reality or intellectual substance of the subject matter.

In literature and art, oversentimentalization can manifest as characters whose emotions are presented in a melodramatic or exaggerated fashion, or narratives that rely heavily on tear-jerking or mawkish scenarios. Such works may aim to evoke strong emotional responses but can sometimes be perceived as manipulative or lacking in genuine depth. Critics often point to oversentimentalization when they feel a piece of work prioritizes emotional manipulation over realistic portrayal or complex thematic exploration.

In everyday life, oversentimentalization might involve individuals reacting with extreme sadness, nostalgia, or affection to trivial matters, or conversely, expressing such emotions in a way that feels insincere or performative. It can be seen as a departure from a more balanced or rational emotional response, where the focus is placed more on the feeling itself than on the underlying cause or context. While sentimentality can be a genuine and valuable human emotion, oversentimentalization suggests an excess that can be perceived as a weakness or a flaw in judgment.