"Irony is just honesty with the volume cranked up." -George Saunders
Honesty is a key value in defining one's character, whether it is a positive or negative reflection of her-/himself. But sometimes, people use other means to show honesty, such as irony, sarcasm, and more. I think that irony shows the hidden truth. For example, isn't it ironic that America celebrates Columbus day when in truth, Columbus directly and indirectly aided in the destruction of the civilization that once was?
Some people may be afraid to speak, hear, or learn about the truth. Maybe that is why lying is so much easier and preferred than being honest.
Referring back to the quote, I think that irony is just honesty with the volume cranked DOWN—isn't it ironic that "down" is capitalized when its meaning correlates with descent?—because it isn't until the moment of epiphany that one will notice the truth in irony. Sure, sometimes ironic things will be so blunt in showing honesty that it is easy to notice the true intentions of the literary element. But knowing what is ironic and finding what is ironic are separate abilities.
Irony gives a two-part scenario, which are both true in certain aspects. Maybe that is why George Saunders said: "Irony is just honesty with the volume cranked up." On one hand, you get one side of the truth and on the other, you get another truth that plays a contradictory part. Which to believe—well, you should believe both, but it may be difficult to accept both scenarios because either one of them can become forums for debates.
Lucy Yeho Hwang
Honesty is a key value in defining one's character, whether it is a positive or negative reflection of her-/himself. But sometimes, people use other means to show honesty, such as irony, sarcasm, and more. I think that irony shows the hidden truth. For example, isn't it ironic that America celebrates Columbus day when in truth, Columbus directly and indirectly aided in the destruction of the civilization that once was?
Some people may be afraid to speak, hear, or learn about the truth. Maybe that is why lying is so much easier and preferred than being honest.
Referring back to the quote, I think that irony is just honesty with the volume cranked DOWN—isn't it ironic that "down" is capitalized when its meaning correlates with descent?—because it isn't until the moment of epiphany that one will notice the truth in irony. Sure, sometimes ironic things will be so blunt in showing honesty that it is easy to notice the true intentions of the literary element. But knowing what is ironic and finding what is ironic are separate abilities.
Irony gives a two-part scenario, which are both true in certain aspects. Maybe that is why George Saunders said: "Irony is just honesty with the volume cranked up." On one hand, you get one side of the truth and on the other, you get another truth that plays a contradictory part. Which to believe—well, you should believe both, but it may be difficult to accept both scenarios because either one of them can become forums for debates.
Lucy Yeho Hwang
No comments:
Post a Comment