Reflections, Selections, and Deflections

I have read excerpts of Kenneth Burke's "Terministic Screens" and always find it challenging but enlightening.  The concept of 'terministic screen' comes from Burke himself and it is one of his most important ideas.  Referring to this concept, Burke says, "Even if any given terminology is a reflection of reality, by its very nature as a terminology it must be a selection of reality; and to this extent it must function also as a deflection of reality (Burke 45)."  This description of terministic screens can be broken down into three individual parts.

1) Reflection of Reality...These reflections are experiences and viewpoints that we choose to accept as true.  These reflections become our reality and the way we view the world around us.

2) Selections of Reality...By selecting these realities, we are getting rid of other reflections.  We do not have the capacity to accept all possible viewpoints.

3) Deflections of Reality...These are the realities that we deny automatically by taking on our own reflections.  The deflections could be something that we choose not to accept because it disagrees with our views and beliefs.

Burke describes terministic screens in relation to photographs saying, "They were different photographs of the same objects, the difference being that they were made with different color filters (Burke 45)."  Color filters are a simple way of trying to understand this complex concept.  Even if the photograph was taken in the same position, filters can change interpretations and viewpoints of the photograph.

He says that the terminologies that we use are determined by terministic screens.  Since words are symbolic, we use words that reflect our beliefs and realities.  Burke talks about terminologies as being always based in the principle of continuity and discontinuity (Burke 51).  Discourse always deals with opposing statements, ideologies, values, etc.  This discourse can either bring together and unite or separate and divide.

"Terministic Screens" is based in Kenneth Burke's belief in man as symbol-using animals.  This raises a few questions about the origins of language.  Burke even says in the text that he is uncertain as to the origin of language.  Regardless of his uncertainty of its origins, Burke merely wants to show the relation between humans and their personal selections of terminologies to help them better understand the world.

Works Cited
Burke, Kenneth. "Terministic Screens." In Language as Symbolic Action: Essays on Life, Literature, and Method. Berkeley: U of California P, 1966. 44-57.