Sob Story (noun): An oversentimental tale; a tearjerker. This expression from the early twentieth century presumably represents a reaction to Victorian sentimentality. C. E. Montague used it in Fiery Particles (1923): “Thomas Curtayne, the greatest of Irishmen, was to be buried in homely state. . . . Here was a sob story.” A roughly contemporary term is sob sister, a woman reporter who writes stories full of sentimental pathos. This expression, however, is obsolescent.
Synonyms:
- Tearjerker
- Weeper
- Melodrama
- Sentimental tale
Antonyms:
- Comedy
- Farce
- Satire
Similar Expressions:
- Cry me a river: An exaggerated tale of woe.
- Example: “You didn’t get the last cookie? Oh, cry me a river.”
- Weepy yarn: A nostalgic and tearful tale of the past.
- Example: “Don’t give me a weepy yarn about your high school romance.”
- Pulling at heartstrings: Provoking strong emotional reactions.
- Example: “That movie knew exactly how to pull at the heartstrings.”
Related Proverbs/Quotes:
- “There’s no crying over spilled milk.” 🍼 - Meaning: Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened.
- “A picture is worth a thousand words, but a sob story is worth a thousand tears.” 😭 - Meaning: A dramatic tale can evoke strong emotions and sympathy.
Suggested Literature & Movies:
- Books: - “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo - “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green
- Songs: - “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton - “Someone Like You” by Adele
- Movies: - “The Notebook” directed by Nick Cassavetes - “Titanic” directed by James Cameron
- Poetry: - “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe - “Funeral Blues” by W.H. Auden
Inspiration Quote:
“Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” - William Shakespeare, Macbeth
In literature and cinema, the sob story stands as a testament to the human capacity for empathy and our attraction to other people’s pleasures and pains. One person’s cheesy melodrama is another’s heartfelt epic, and tearing up over a well-spun story is proof that despite everything, our hearts are still tender.
Author: Fiona Finklestein Publishing Date: October 5, 2023
“Even the most stoic of hearts may find themselves softened by the tender chords of a sob story. Embrace your humanity and let the tears flow.” - Fiona Finklestein
