Irony

"Jabberwoke" and the "vorpal sword"

Robertson Davies in The Cunning Man suggests that in the hands of a Master, irony is “a subtle and gentle [employment] of mockery in almost every aspect of life.”  He stresses its value.

Can it be this important?  My handy Microsoft a key-punch-away Word Dictionary: “the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic ⁰effect.”

It comes from the Greek eironeia ‘simulated ignorance’. 

I think of it as plausible exaggeration aimed at undercutting displays of selfimportant seriousness.  In these days, when so much seriousness has become performance, we all need to step back before we applaud.

Confronted with authoritative sounding statements, we are easily misled, since we have been trained to genuflect first and think, if at all, later. 

Can we use irony intelligently for our mutual wellbeing?  Can we think clearly and live sanely in a land of Jabberwoke?  

Lewis Carrol: Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Being awake is the goal of Western enlightenment. I once thought it was beyond serious criticism. But as the iniquitous “woke,” it has suddenly become a threat. I feel justified therefore to make my own undoubtedly personal interpretation of Carrol’s poem, in suggesting a defense.

Jabber about woke here and woke there is false enlightenment about enlightenment. Spread by partisan band leaders, heavy on the percussion section and brass. It is “Jabberwoke.”

Wordsmiths toil in media factories producing “the emperor’s clothing” and our own casual wear. 

Irony is a very effective way of pointing out that many judgments and precepts, the advice given, the praises bestowed, are weaponized jabber. 

They are “over the line,” but not always recognized as such. They are “jabberwoke.”

And while the “Right” jabbers on about all manner of “woke” perils, the “Left” seems intent on exaggerating all manner of “woke” needs.

I’m willing to go chapter and verse as to where I think the “Left” has been tone deaf in trying to fix everything all at once and swatting indiscriminately at some valuable traditions and symbols. We do not need to take everything to the margins (a little short of the extremes).

Our weapon? Carrol’s “vorpal sword,” irony. Use it to attack the jabber, the jabber about “woke.” “The Jabberwoke.”

Irony as a “vorpal sword.” “O frabjous day!”

One, two! One, two! And through and through
      The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
      He went galumphing back.

“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
      Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
      He chortled in his joy.