define pastoral in literature
3. pastoral-a literary work idealizing the rural life (especially the life of shepherds). literary composition, literary work-imaginative or creative writing. eclogue, idyl, bucolic, idyll-a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life.
1. pastoral-of or relating to a pastor; pastoral work; a pastoral letter. 2. pastoral-relating to shepherds or herdsmen or devoted to raising sheep or cattle; pastoral seminomadic people; pastoral land; a pastoral economy. bucolic.