... that emphasize the poem's deeper meaning. This use of allusion is often double-sided, with allusion being used positively as a more direct comparison, as well as in the form of irony, helping the reader draw out the meaning of the text through understated contrasts. Both "A Study of Reading Habits," by Philip Larkin and "Constantly Risking Absurdity," by ... Lawrence Ferlinghetti, employ allusion, however in "A Study of Reading Habits" Larkin alludes with a sense of irony while in "Constantly Risking Absurdity," the poet does not. In "A Study of Reading Habits," Philip Larkin uses an al...

• Word Count: 794
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Graduate

... between fiction and reality this novel can be argued to be a work of metafiction1, which is primarily associated with modernist literature and post-modernist literature. Nabokov uses a great deal of irony to make the reader aware of the lacking self-reflection of the main characters, and because of the lack of authentic historical references (besides the allusion to Greek mythology) this ... Kinbote who didn't even know that the poem took its title from Timon of Athens2. I believe that Nabokov´s narrative conveys certain personalities who may lack both self- insight and self-irony and ...

• Word Count: 461
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate

... tribute, honouring and welcoming Oliver Cromwell home from his conquest of Ireland. In addition to praising and acknowledging Cromwell as a good leader, Marvell injects a somewhat subtle use of ambiguity and irony, which deliberately interweave in order to delineate his subjection of Ireland during the 1650's. Upon a preliminary reading of the poem, that is to say, a reading whereby a critical deconstruction is not ... at least, to the fact that the poem works so very competently at being purely an Ode, that it is easy to overlook the expertly understated and delicate use of irony and s...

• Word Count: 418
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Graduate