Thomas C. Foster in “How to Read Literature like a Professor” explains that he believes that, irony trumps everything” (Foster 261). Foster believes that, “irony trumps everything,” because it, “provides additional richness to the literary dish,” and it, “keeps us readers on our toes, inviting us, compelling us, to dig through layers of possible meaning and competing signification” (Foster 261). Irony is one of those literary devices that can add so much to a story because it can create mood and theme. Also irony keeps readers engaged in the reading and causes them to pay close attention so that they can recognize those moments of irony and take in all that the author intended them to. Also Foster claims that when irony is used, “every chapter in this book goes out the window,” because irony, “is a deflection from the expectation” (Foster 256, 261). Through out the book, Foster has taught the reader a plethora of tips, tools, and advice to help them understand what they are reading, but when irony is in a story all those other tips are useless. Irony is when the unexpected happens so what the reader expects certain symbols to mean something they may not because of irony. To demonstrate this, Foster provides an example from Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” where he says, “her hair has gone quite gold from grief,” about a, “recently widowed,” character (Foster 257). This statement is irony because when someone is grieving the expectation is that their hair will turn white, but this person’s turns gold. The change of color suggest that she is not grieving at all which is different than the statement so irony is definitely present. Foster discusses irony to show how it holds importance over other symbolism or devices when employed in writing.
In “How to Read Literature like a Professor,” Thomas Foster discusses irony in literature, and the effects it has on a story. “Irony trumps everything,” Foster states, explaining how irony adds “richness to the literary dish” (Foster 252, 261). Irony is so unpredictable and sporadic, however this can add more depth and twist to a story. It “trumps” everything because it can take something that readers are thinking and take it in an entire new direction. Irony “takes our expectations and upend them, make[s] them work against us,” as Foster explains, using some examples such as a Christ figure causing destruction of others or spring coming and the “wasteland doesn’t even notice” (Foster 255). Irony is a powerful element in literature, as it can take what readers know or expect and completely turn everything around, and change the direction of the story entirely. Irony changes how readers think, and can leave them shocked or satisfied when they see an outcome. Foster explains the “irony” of irony as well, stating that “irony doesn’t work for everyone. Because of the multivocal nature of irony – we hear those multiple voices simultaneously – readers who are inclined toward univocal utterances simply may not register that multiplicity” (Foster 261). Some readers may simply not understand the vastness that irony can encompass, the different outcomes or results that may be present. That’s what is ironic, nonetheless, is that irony is still “trumping,” even if not exactly like the author may have intended, for better or worse. Irony is important in literature because it changes how readers read, essentially, really digging into different stories and understanding how certain elements or events are written.
Thomas C. Foster in “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” explains how irony creates almost the complete opposite symbol that is understood. He uses “A Farewell to Arms” by Hemingway as an example when the character experiences death in his family and walks out into the rain at the end. He says “there’s nothing cleansing or rejuvenating about the whole thing” (Foster 254-255). Foster described the action as “irony-take our expectations and upend them, make them work against us” (Foster 255). Foster tells how authors will take the opposite meaning of a sign to make it ironic. Irony presents itself when what we think something signifies really does not mean much in the end. Foster states that “what irony chiefly involves, then, is a deflection from expectation” (Foster 256). He explains that when what we think will happen does not, that is the irony. The irony stands out because readers’ assumption of what will happen stays in their mind so they end up focusing a lot on the unexpected. All of the symbols we are taught to pay attention to do not matter anymore.
Although, this author has not read Foster’s book, he is inclined to do so, now. Perhaps, it is not uncommon for an elementary student or even a high school student to catch on to these little “ironies.” However, even at this age, the author can not depict some of the previous mentioned ironies. This author believes that perhaps these highly acclaimed author’s multivocal reasoning was not strong enough. In fact, this author believes it is just a mere afterthought, in which highly intelligent people tend to dissect or overanalyze a piece of art. This will not help today’s youth, in which an answer can easily be googled. In fact, the thought of reasoning is gone when it can be simply copied and pasted. Even the act of copying someone’s misinterpretation or the agreed upon “meaning” is an act of plagerism. Therefore, readers (such as the author) who lean toward univocal utterances tend to so not because they may not register the multiplicity, but because the art can be misinterpretated. In fact, if u were to write a piece of art: “Would you sell it to the masses? Or would you only sell it to the top 10% who can understand it?”
Thomas C. Foster in “How to Read Literature like a Professor” explains that he believes that, irony trumps everything” (Foster 261). Foster believes that, “irony trumps everything,” because it, “provides additional richness to the literary dish,” and it, “keeps us readers on our toes, inviting us, compelling us, to dig through layers of possible meaning and competing signification” (Foster 261). Irony is one of those literary devices that can add so much to a story because it can create mood and theme. Also irony keeps readers engaged in the reading and causes them to pay close attention so that they can recognize those moments of irony and take in all that the author intended them to. Also Foster claims that when irony is used, “every chapter in this book goes out the window,” because irony, “is a deflection from the expectation” (Foster 256, 261). Through out the book, Foster has taught the reader a plethora of tips, tools, and advice to help them understand what they are reading, but when irony is in a story all those other tips are useless. Irony is when the unexpected happens so what the reader expects certain symbols to mean something they may not because of irony. To demonstrate this, Foster provides an example from Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” where he says, “her hair has gone quite gold from grief,” about a, “recently widowed,” character (Foster 257). This statement is irony because when someone is grieving the expectation is that their hair will turn white, but this person’s turns gold. The change of color suggest that she is not grieving at all which is different than the statement so irony is definitely present. Foster discusses irony to show how it holds importance over other symbolism or devices when employed in writing.
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ReplyDeleteIn “How to Read Literature like a Professor,” Thomas Foster discusses irony in literature, and the effects it has on a story. “Irony trumps everything,” Foster states, explaining how irony adds “richness to the literary dish” (Foster 252, 261). Irony is so unpredictable and sporadic, however this can add more depth and twist to a story. It “trumps” everything because it can take something that readers are thinking and take it in an entire new direction. Irony “takes our expectations and upend them, make[s] them work against us,” as Foster explains, using some examples such as a Christ figure causing destruction of others or spring coming and the “wasteland doesn’t even notice” (Foster 255). Irony is a powerful element in literature, as it can take what readers know or expect and completely turn everything around, and change the direction of the story entirely. Irony changes how readers think, and can leave them shocked or satisfied when they see an outcome. Foster explains the “irony” of irony as well, stating that “irony doesn’t work for everyone. Because of the multivocal nature of irony – we hear those multiple voices simultaneously – readers who are inclined toward univocal utterances simply may not register that multiplicity” (Foster 261). Some readers may simply not understand the vastness that irony can encompass, the different outcomes or results that may be present. That’s what is ironic, nonetheless, is that irony is still “trumping,” even if not exactly like the author may have intended, for better or worse. Irony is important in literature because it changes how readers read, essentially, really digging into different stories and understanding how certain elements or events are written.
ReplyDeleteRemember, no contractions; otherwise, great!
DeleteNovels should be italicized.
DeleteThomas C. Foster in “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” explains how irony creates almost the complete opposite symbol that is understood. He uses “A Farewell to Arms” by Hemingway as an example when the character experiences death in his family and walks out into the rain at the end. He says “there’s nothing cleansing or rejuvenating about the whole thing” (Foster 254-255). Foster described the action as “irony-take our expectations and upend them, make them work against us” (Foster 255). Foster tells how authors will take the opposite meaning of a sign to make it ironic. Irony presents itself when what we think something signifies really does not mean much in the end. Foster states that “what irony chiefly involves, then, is a deflection from expectation” (Foster 256). He explains that when what we think will happen does not, that is the irony. The irony stands out because readers’ assumption of what will happen stays in their mind so they end up focusing a lot on the unexpected. All of the symbols we are taught to pay attention to do not matter anymore.
ReplyDeleteNovels should be italicized.
ReplyDeletegood - this works
DeleteAlthough, this author has not read Foster’s book, he is inclined to do so, now. Perhaps, it is not uncommon for an elementary student or even a high school student to catch on to these little “ironies.” However, even at this age, the author can not depict some of the previous mentioned ironies. This author believes that perhaps these highly acclaimed author’s multivocal reasoning was not strong enough. In fact, this author believes it is just a mere afterthought, in which highly intelligent people tend to dissect or overanalyze a piece of art. This will not help today’s youth, in which an answer can easily be googled. In fact, the thought of reasoning is gone when it can be simply copied and pasted. Even the act of copying someone’s misinterpretation or the agreed upon “meaning” is an act of plagerism. Therefore, readers (such as the author) who lean toward univocal utterances tend to so not because they may not register the multiplicity, but because the art can be misinterpretated. In fact, if u were to write a piece of art: “Would you sell it to the masses? Or would you only sell it to the top 10% who can understand it?”
ReplyDelete