Irony as a Principle of Structure by Cleanth Brooks summary and analysis

 

At the outset of the essay Cleanth Brooks discusses the modern poetic technique, focusing on the importance of metaphor and the relationship between the particular and the universal in poetry. Brooks argues that modern poetry emphasizes the rediscovery and full commitment to metaphor. Metaphor allows poets to convey universal truths or themes through concrete, specific images or details.

The poet desires to convey a message, but instead of expressing it directly, he relies on metaphors. However, there is a inherent risk in employing metaphors – they may obscure or incompletely convey the intended message. Nonetheless, this risk must be embraced, as abstract ideas should be presented in a concrete format.

According to Brooks, poets cannot effectively address universal themes or ideas directly. Instead, they must use concrete, particular details to convey these universal truths.  Brooks emphasizes that poets should not start with an abstract theme and then add concrete details to illustrate it. Instead, they should begin with specific details and allow the general meaning to emerge organically from those particulars.

 

Here it is the tail that wags the dog. On the contrary the tail makes the kite fly. Without the tail, the kite will become a piece of paper crazily blown away by the wind.

 
The tail of the kite negates the kite’s function. It weighs down something made to rise.

 
Brooks uses the metaphor of the tail and the kite to illustrate his point. He suggests that in poetry, it is the specific details (the tail) that give rise to the overall meaning or theme (the kite). Without the specific details, the universal meaning cannot be effectively conveyed.

 

Brooks acknowledges that loading a poem with concrete particulars may seem to weigh it down or contradict its universal aspirations. However, he argues that, like the tail of a kite, these particulars are essential for the poem to soar and convey its intended meaning effectively.


The concept of irony, particularly focusing on sarcasm as the most overt form of irony. Irony occurs when a statement conveys a meaning that is opposite to its literal interpretation. Sarcasm is a type of irony where someone says something, but their tone or context implies the opposite meaning, often with the intention of mocking or ridiculing.

 

Brooks remarks that Thomas Hardy's poems as examples that reveal irony in a clear and overt manner. Hardy, a renowned English poet and novelist, frequently employed irony in his works to highlight the discrepancy between appearance and reality, or to convey a sense of disillusionment with the world.

 

there are various types of irony beyond sarcasm. These include tragic irony, where the audience knows something that the characters do not; self-irony, where an individual pokes fun at themselves. 

 

In Irony as a Principle of Structure, Cleanth Brooks provides several examples of irony to illustrate its role as a fundamental element in literature. It operates as a structural principle, shaping the form, meaning, and effect of literary works.

Brooks begins by defining irony as a rhetorical device characterized by a discrepancy or incongruity between what is said or expected and what actually occurs or is meant. He distinguishes between verbal irony, where the literal meaning of a statement is opposite to its intended meaning, and dramatic irony, where the audience is aware of something that the characters are not.

 

Brooks argues that irony serves as a structural principle in literature, particularly in poetry. He suggests that irony pervades the entire framework of a literary work, shaping its form, meaning, and effect. Irony operates not merely as a stylistic device but as an organizing principle that guides the interpretation and understanding of the text.

 

Brooks suggests that irony strengthens  the unity and coherence of a literary text by creating ambiguity and multiple layers of meaning. He argues that irony allows for the integration of diverse elements within a text, helping to connect disparate parts and to unify the overall structure. Irony serves to reveal deeper truths and insights about human nature, society, and the human condition. He argues that irony exposes contradictions and hypocrisies that challenge readers' assumptions and prompt critical reflection. He argues that irony pushes the boundaries of language and expression, creating new possibilities for meaning and interpretation.

 

"The essence of irony is a discrepancy."

   - Brooks defines irony as involving a fundamental discrepancy or incongruity between what is said or expected and what is actually meant or occurs. This incongruity is central to the ironic effect, creating tension and complexity in the text.

 

"The essential function of irony is to lead us to a deeper and fuller realization of the truth."

   Brooks argues that irony serves a revelatory function in literature, guiding readers towards a deeper understanding of reality. By exposing contradictions, hypocrisies, and paradoxes, irony prompts readers to reevaluate their beliefs and perceptions.

 

"Irony is the most effective means for the articulation of thought."

   - Brooks suggests that irony is an indispensable tool for expressing complex ideas in literature. He argues that irony allows writers to convey multiple layers of meaning and to engage readers in a process of interpretation.

 

"Irony demands the most active and intelligent participation on the part of the reader."

    - Here, Brooks underscores the interactive nature of irony in literature. He suggests that irony requires readers to engage actively with the text, to decipher its multiple layers of meaning.

 

"Irony is one of the things which, at bottom, makes poetry poetry."

   - Brooks emphasizes the centrality of irony to poetry, suggesting that it is a defining characteristic of the genre. He argues that irony, with its ability to create tension, ambiguity, and multiple layers of meaning, is essential to the poetic experience.

 

"In poetry, irony is the controlling intelligence."

   - Brooks asserts that irony functions as the guiding force or organizing principle in poetry. He suggests that irony shapes the overall structure and meaning of a poem, guiding readers' interpretation and understanding of the text.

 

He argues that irony operates not only as a rhetorical device but also as a structural principle that shapes the form, meaning, and effect of literary works. Through his exploration of irony, Brooks offers insights into the complexities and richness of literary expression.

 

 

Examples of Irony in Poetry: Brooks provides examples of irony in poetry, drawing from the works of poets such as William Blake, John Donne, T.S. Eliot, and Emily Dickinson. He analyzes specific poems to illustrate how irony operates as a structural principle, shaping the overall meaning and effect of the text.

When my mother died I was very young,

And my father sold me while yet my tongue

Could scarcely cry " 'weep! 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!" – Chimney sweeper, William Blake

 

"So if all do their duty they need not fear harm"

The protector becomes the symbol of slavery

John Donne's "Death, be not proud": Brooks analyzes Donne's sonnet, noting the ironic twist in the speaker's address to Death. While the speaker initially addresses Death and asserts its powerlessness.

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow

Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

…

One short sleep past, we wake eternally

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

 

Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death": Brooks examines Dickinson's poem, which personifies Death as a courteous gentleman who takes the speaker on a carriage ride towards eternity. The ironic contrast between Death's gentle demeanor and its ultimate inevitability adds depth and complexity to the poem's exploration of mortality. The poem's ironic tone serves to challenge conventional perceptions of death and dying.

 

These examples illustrate how irony operates as a structural principle in literature, enriching the meaning and effect of literary works. Through his analysis of these examples, Brooks demonstrates how irony allows writers to convey complex emotions, ideas, and perspectives.