Summary

In this essay, Leslie explores the theme of sentimentality as it relates to the idea of something being too sweet or "saccharine" (111). In parallel, she also writes about artificial sweeteners to explore the literal saccharin and the metaphorical saccharine. Sentimentality is typically critiqued in literary, popular culture and life as being an indulgent and over-the-top emotion. At the same time, humans have a natural craving for sweet things. While sentimentality is seen as an unearned emotion, artificial sweetness also feels shallow, exaggerated, or undeserved.

Leslie writes about various critics of art and literature who share a disdain for sentimentality as well as about other critics who defend it. Leslie asks if the problem of sentimentality is primarily ethical or aesthetic and if there are right and wrong ways to experience emotion. Leslie remembers drinking in New Orleans with a poet...