Dissonance is a powerful literary device that plays with the clash of harsh, jarring, or dissonant sounds to create tension, discomfort, or unease in the reader. In this article, we will explore the role of dissonance in literature, its historical use, and how it serves to enhance the overall narrative experience.
Definition of Dissonance
Dissonance is a literary device that refers to the use of harsh, jarring, or inharmonious sounds in a poem or other written work. It is the opposite of assonance, which is the repetition of vowel sounds, and it is similar to cacophony, which is also a use of inharmonious sounds. Dissonance is often used intentionally by writers to create a sense of tension or unease in the reader.
In poetry, dissonance can be created through the use of words with harsh or unpleasant sounds, such as “crash,” “bang,” or “clang.” It can also be created through the use of words with conflicting meanings or connotations, such as “love” and “hate,” or “dark” and “light.” Dissonance can be used to create a sense of conflict or disorientation in the reader, or to highlight a particular theme or mood in the poem.
Dissonance can also be used in prose writing, such as novels or short stories. In these works, dissonance can be created through the use of dialogue that is intentionally awkward or uncomfortable, or through the use of descriptions that are unsettling or disturbing. Dissonance can be used to create a sense of tension or unease in the reader, or to highlight a particular theme or mood in the story.
Role of Dissonance in Literature
Creating Tension
One of the primary roles of dissonance in literature is to create tension. By using dissonant sounds and rhythms, writers can create a sense of unease and discomfort that keeps readers on edge. This tension can be used to build suspense and anticipation, making readers eager to find out what happens next.
For example, in William Faulkner‘s “A Rose for Emily,” the use of dissonance in the form of jarring sounds and rhythms helps to create a sense of tension and unease that builds throughout the story. This tension is used to great effect, making readers eager to find out what happens to the protagonist.
Enhancing Characterization
Dissonance can also be used to enhance characterization in literature. By using dissonant sounds and rhythms to create a sense of discomfort, writers can give readers insight into the inner workings of their characters. This can be used to reveal hidden emotions, motivations, and desires, making characters more complex and interesting.
For example, in James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” the use of dissonance in the form of jarring sounds and rhythms helps to reveal the inner turmoil of the protagonist, Leopold Bloom. This dissonance is used to great effect, giving readers insight into Bloom’s complex emotional state.
Driving Conflict
Finally, dissonance can be used to drive conflict in literature. By using dissonant sounds and rhythms to create a sense of tension and unease, writers can create a fertile ground for conflict to arise. This conflict can be used to drive the plot forward, making the story more engaging and exciting.
For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the use of dissonance in the form of jarring sounds and rhythms helps to create a sense of tension and unease that drives the conflict between the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, and his rival, Tom Buchanan. This conflict is used to great effect, making the story more engaging and exciting.
Types of Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person holds two or more conflicting beliefs, ideas, or values. It is a psychological term that refers to the mental discomfort that arises from holding two contradictory beliefs or values. In literature, cognitive dissonance can be used to create tension and conflict in the reader. For example, if a character in a story believes in honesty but is forced to lie to protect someone they love, this can create cognitive dissonance in the reader.
Emotional Dissonance
Emotional dissonance occurs when a person experiences conflicting emotions. It is a term that is used to describe the discomfort that arises from feeling two or more conflicting emotions at the same time. In literature, emotional dissonance can be used to create tension and conflict in the reader. For example, if a character in a story is torn between love and hate for another character, this can create emotional dissonance in the reader.
Musical Dissonance
Musical dissonance occurs when two or more sounds clash or create a sense of tension. It is a term that is used to describe the discomfort that arises from hearing two or more conflicting sounds at the same time. In literature, musical dissonance can be used to create tension and conflict in the reader. For example, if a poem uses harsh, discordant sounds to create a sense of unease or tension, this can create musical dissonance in the reader.
Examples of Dissonance in Literature
Dissonance in Poetry
Poetry is a genre that lends itself particularly well to the use of dissonance. Poets can use a range of techniques to create dissonance, including:
- Assonance and consonance: Using repeated vowel or consonant sounds to create a sense of tension or discomfort. For example, in Ted Hughes’ poem “Wind,” the repeated “s” sounds in the line “Blackening the sky and shaking the houses” create a sense of unease and foreboding.
- Irregular rhythm: Disrupting the flow of a poem by changing the rhyme scheme or meter. For example, in T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” the irregular meter and rhyme scheme create a sense of unease and anxiety that mirrors the speaker’s own feelings.
- Harsh-sounding words: Incorporating unusual or harsh-sounding words to create a sense of discord or conflict. For example, in Sylvia Plath’s poem “Daddy,” the use of harsh, violent imagery and language creates a sense of tension and discomfort that reflects the speaker’s complex feelings towards her father.
Dissonance in Prose
Prose can also be a powerful medium for the use of dissonance. Some examples of how dissonance can be used in prose include:
- Contrasting ideas: Using contrasting ideas or images to create a sense of tension or conflict. For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby,” the contrast between the opulence of Gatsby’s parties and the moral decay of the characters creates a sense of dissonance that reflects the larger themes of the novel.
- Juxtaposition: Placing two contrasting ideas or images next to each other to create a sense of tension or discomfort. For example, in James Joyce’s short story “Araby,” the contrast between the speaker’s romantic idealization of his crush and the squalor of his surroundings creates a sense of dissonance that reflects the speaker’s own confusion and disillusionment.
Dissonance in Drama
Drama is a genre that often relies on dissonance to create tension and conflict between characters. Some examples of how dissonance can be used in drama include:
- Opposing viewpoints: Creating conflict between characters by giving them opposing viewpoints or goals. For example, in William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” the conflict between Hamlet’s desire for revenge and his moral qualms creates a sense of dissonance that drives the plot of the play.
- Unexpected plot twists: Using unexpected plot twists to create a sense of tension or uncertainty. For example, in Arthur Miller’s play “Death of a Salesman,” the revelation that the protagonist has been having an affair creates a sense of dissonance that forces the audience to reevaluate their understanding of the character.
Dissonance vs. Consonance
When it comes to literary devices, dissonance and consonance are two concepts that are often used and compared. Dissonance refers to the use of harsh, jarring, or discordant sounds or words in a literary work. On the other hand, consonance refers to the repetition of consonant sounds, especially at the end of words.
Dissonance can be used to create a sense of tension or conflict within a literary work. It can be used to emphasize a particular word or phrase, or to create a sense of unease or discomfort in the reader. For example, in the poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot, the use of dissonant sounds and words creates a sense of anxiety and uncertainty in the reader.
Consonance, on the other hand, is often used to create a sense of harmony or unity within a literary work. It can be used to create a sense of rhythm or musicality, or to emphasize a particular theme or idea. For example, in the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost, the repetition of the “s” sound in the final stanza creates a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.
While dissonance and consonance are often used in opposition to one another, they can also be used together to create a sense of balance or contrast within a literary work. For example, in the poem “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot, the use of both dissonant and consonant sounds creates a sense of tension and release, as well as a sense of unity and disunity.
In summary, dissonance and consonance are two important literary devices that are often used in opposition to one another. Dissonance is used to create tension and conflict, while consonance is used to create harmony and unity. However, they can also be used together to create a sense of balance and contrast within a literary work.
Use of Dissonance in Modern Literature
Dissonance is a literary device that has been widely used in modern literature to create a sense of tension, discomfort, and unease in the reader. It is often used to convey a particular feeling or mood that cannot be expressed through other literary devices. Here are some examples of how dissonance is used in modern literature:
- Irregular Rhythm: One of the most common uses of dissonance in modern literature is through the use of an irregular rhythm. This can be achieved by changing the rhyme scheme, using unexpected pauses, or varying the length of lines. By disrupting the flow of the poem or prose, the writer can create a sense of unease or tension in the reader.
- Harsh-sounding Words: Another way to use dissonance is by incorporating unusual or harsh-sounding words. This can be done by using words with hard consonants, such as “crunch,” “grind,” or “screech.” By using these words, the writer can create a sense of discomfort or tension in the reader.
- Layout of Sounds: Dissonance can also be created by using vowel sounds that clash together. This can be done by using words with different vowel sounds, such as “cat” and “cot.” By using these words, the writer can create a sense of tension or unease in the reader.
- Juxtaposition of Ideas: Dissonance can also be created by juxtaposing two contrasting ideas. This can be done by using words or phrases that are opposite in meaning, such as “darkness” and “light.” By using these contrasting ideas, the writer can create a sense of tension or unease in the reader.
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