Introduction:
In the introduction, Cleanth Brooks sets the stage for his essay "The Language of Paradox" by acknowledging the prevalence of paradox in poetry and the common confusion it elicits among readers. He establishes the premise that paradox is not a sign of illogical thinking but a deliberate and essential technique employed by poets. Brooks aims to explore the nature and function of paradox in poetry, challenging preconceived notions about its role in literary expression.
Central Argument:
The central argument of Brooks's essay revolves around the assertion that paradox is a crucial and intentional element in poetry. He argues against the notion that paradox represents confusion or inconsistency, contending that poets use paradox to convey complex ideas in a more profound and meaningful manner. Brooks posits that the apparent contradictions within paradoxical language are a deliberate choice by poets to challenge readers, leading to a deeper understanding of the text.
Examination of Poems:
In this section, Brooks conducts a detailed examination of specific poems, with a focus on works by poets such as John Donne and Gerard Manley Hopkins. The analysis involves a close inspection of the language and structure of these poems to illustrate how paradoxical elements contribute to the overall aesthetic and thematic impact. By dissecting verses, Brooks demonstrates that paradox is not accidental but a carefully crafted technique that elevates the poetry beyond mere logical propositions.
Unity in Diversity:
The theme of unity in diversity permeates Brooks's essay. He emphasizes that paradox serves to unite seemingly contradictory elements, urging readers to move beyond a superficial understanding of paradox as mere inconsistency. Instead, Brooks encourages readers to recognize the underlying unity that paradox can bring to a poem. This theme underscores the interconnectedness of ideas and the capacity of paradox to reconcile opposing forces, contributing to the richness of poetic expression.
The Reader's Role:
Brooks assigns a significant role to the reader in his essay. He argues that readers should actively engage with paradox rather than shy away from it. He encourages readers to embrace the challenge presented by paradoxical language and actively seek to unravel the deeper meanings hidden within apparent contradictions. In doing so, readers become active participants in the poetic experience, contributing to the creation of meaning and enriching their overall engagement with the text.
Conclusion:
Cleanth Brooks concludes his essay by reinforcing the idea that paradox is a deliberate and valuable tool in a poet's toolkit. He reiterates the encouragement for readers to approach paradox with an open mind, recognizing its role in enhancing the depth and resonance of poetry. The conclusion serves to summarize and emphasize the key points made throughout the essay, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the importance of paradox in the poetic experience.
More detailed Analysis
More detailed Analysis
Cleanth Brooks, a prominent figure among New Critics, champions the significance of paradox in understanding and interpreting poetry. His well-known works, including "The Language of Paradox," "The Well Wrought Urn" (1947), and "Modern Poetry and the Tradition" (1939), played a pivotal role in formulating formalist criticism. Brooks focused on the "interior life of a poem" and established the principles of close reading. In "The Language of Paradox," Brooks underscores the vital role of paradox, arguing that it is the "language appropriate and inevitable to poetry." He posits that referential language falls short in capturing a poet's specific message, as words are mutable, and meaning shifts in their relational context.
In literature, paradox is a literary device that involves juxtaposing incongruous ideas for striking exposition or unexpected insight. Brooks, an active member of the New Critical movement, advocates reading poems through the lens of paradox for critical interpretation.
Paradox in poetry introduces tension at the surface, creating apparent contradictions and hypocrisies. Brooks illustrates this with examples like Wordsworth's "It is a beauteous evening, calm and free," where the initial conflict gives way to the paradox that the girl, seemingly less worshipful, is more so due to her constant sympathy for nature. Brooks also analyzes Wordsworth's "Composed upon Westminster Bridge" and John Donne's "The Canonization," highlighting how paradoxes convey complex meanings and emotions that ordinary language may fail to capture.
In his exploration of poetic language, Brooks emphasizes its distinction from scientific language. Poets, he argues, construct language as they go, defining their own rules and reveling in the connotations rather than limiting themselves to denotations. The poet's control over language grants them significant power in the meaning-making process, isolating the reader from the production of meaning.
Brooks introduces the concept of irony, distinguishing it from paradox. While irony warps statements in context, paradox, according to Brooks, is essential to the structure and essence of poetry. He contends that paradox is almost synonymous with poetry, embodying the reconciliation of opposites or contraries. Brooks argues against the centrality of paradox in literary analysis, claiming it oversimplifies poetry and disregards other imaginative elements. He also challenges the exclusion of pleasure from Brooks' definition of poetry and questions the validity of defining poetry solely through paradox, pointing to its presence in everyday discourse, including scientific discussions.
