When Irony Becomes Cynicism :: essays research papers

& ampere9Understanding contemporary culture can be very difficult. There are so many parts and variables that make up modern culture, and on screening of that, these parts are always changing. In that sense, identifying and analyzing a specific property in modern culture can be extremely challenging. Pinpointing a trait that is so frequently overexploitationd it is often taken for granted. Then beingness able to explain it so well that people will be able to understand and see this trait as if they had never used, or been a part of it before. This is the case with an essay by Charles Gordon, When Irony Becomes Cynicism. by dint of his essay, one learns where banters roots started to grow into todays monster that it is, and how irony is overused in television, radio and conversation. Gordon has skill to the full and honestly shown how irony is perceived and used in todays company. He fully shows that people use irony incorrectly, and it is to their disadvantage.&9Gordon ha s a in particular negative view on how much irony is used today. The thesis in his essay is not clearly stated, but his implied argument is that the overuse of irony has made nightspot cynical. This negative view comes across to the referee through sentences such as the following, after Gordon has explained the technical meaning of irony, &quotIn todays context, irony is a sensibility that set cleverness and style above passion and commitment. It attacks bad taste by seeming to celebrate it. It mocks reverence to important causes by feigning devotion to trivial causes Which makes it sound pretty awful, and it can be.&quot After the commencement few paragraphs in his essay, it becomes clear which side Gordon is on. However, he does show that he is not entirely putting down irony, just the people employ it incorrectly, &quot there is a line between irony and meretricious cynicism that not everyone finds easily. The skillful ironist, one who uses the form as a ordna nce rather than an instrument of self-amusement, does society a service.&quot His argument towards societys use of irony is well presented through his strong sentences. Gordon withal provides an example of a popular show that is almost based totally around this cynical-irony he is discussing. &quotTake almost any fortune of the much-celebrated Seinfeld television show and try to find anything more important than the menu at a bagel store being discussed.&quot Gordon consequently begins to hint at the source of this type of overused irony, a part of society he rests some of the blame on pop-culture.