Retrellion: the nerdy stuff

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Retrellion is a dual impulse toward retreat and rebellion, especially during times of social upheaval. As when, for example, someone under quarantine is compelled to protest politically.  Informed by sociologist Robert Merton's "strain" theory, which was in turn an elaboration of Emile Durkheim's fundamental sociological theory of 'anomie' (Durkheim's word for social upheaval). Merton proposed five possible responses to anomie: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreat, and rebellion.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic provided prime conditions for retrellion; many Americans felt compelled to retreat to the relative safety of quarantine, while also feeling the need to speak out politically about events such as the killing of George Floyd, the Trump presidency, and the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

 

Example sentences using retrellion:

 

"Because it wasn't safe to be out in the street, my retrellion took the form of sassy embroidery, ranting Facebook posts, and angry emails to Mitch McConnell."

 

"Retrellion didn't slow me down. I retreated only long enough to put on a gas mask and then I was out in the street protesting again."

 

"I was so caught up in a state of retrellion I wrote a bedroom synth pop record about it."

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-DJF