In Praise of Irony

by Peter J. Leithart

The complexities of the world demand a supple imagination and style. Continue Reading »

26 Feb 2016

Irony and Proclamation

by Peter J. Leithart

In one of his late essays in Speech Genres, Bakhtin traces the secularization of literature to the solvent effects of irony:“Irony has penetrated all languages of modern times (especially French); it has penetrated into all words and forms  . . . Irony is everywhere - from the . . . . Continue Reading »

25 Mar 2014

Is You Is or Is You Ain’t Ironic

by Austin Stone

Ross , as often transpires, has blogged something of interest: [ . . . ] Obama’s "ironist’s temperament" doesn’t just make him a more interesting politician than your average baby-kisser: It has the potential to be crucial to his success as President. Mass democracy has . . . . Continue Reading »

10 Nov 2008

A View from Somewhere of This Month in Pomocon

by Austin Stone

Quick takes on the sparks flying off Helen’s latest: 1. Definitely Alex Massie is right as far as it goes when he heaps criticism on this notion that there is a "Red" America and a "Blue" America. True, this is fostered by all the sweet and pretty maps, but it’s . . . . Continue Reading »

22 Oct 2008