Killingsworth
describes many different types of tropes, and it is most important that they
are easy to understand because they conduct our way of thinking. As well,
Daniel shows that through combining different mediums, a story has a deeper
meaning and hits closer to the reader, as seen through his use of the inmate
story. In my opinion, multimodal outlets such websites and TV shows allow for
the viewer to experience the subject matter at a deeper level. The appeal of a
multimodal site is seen through Killingsworth’s article. Tropes show the affect
on the audience, shown through the use of the prison and the exigence of the
audience. A trope is considered the most basic form of speech according to
Killingsworth, which lends itself to being more inclusive while being seen
throughout all of our use of language.
Of the tropes that Killingsworth describes, the one I saw at work the most prominently was identification/metaphor. By bringing together prisoners and people who are not in prison, this relates back to the definition of metaphor, which was bringing together unlike things. As well, through identification, these two different sets of people are coming together for one common purpose, as she does through the bringing together of the different people.
Of the tropes that Killingsworth describes, the one I saw at work the most prominently was identification/metaphor. By bringing together prisoners and people who are not in prison, this relates back to the definition of metaphor, which was bringing together unlike things. As well, through identification, these two different sets of people are coming together for one common purpose, as she does through the bringing together of the different people.
Works Cited
Bakhtin, Mikhail M. “Discourse in the Novel.” The
Dialogic Imagination: Four Essays. Trans. Caryl Emerson
and Michael Holquist. Austin: U of Texas P, 1981. 259-331.
Killingsworth, M. Jimmie. “Appeal
Through Tropes.” Appeals in Modern Rhetoric: An Ordinary-
Language Approach. Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP, 2005.
121-135.
I like how you made the connection between Kilingsworth's definition of metaphor and Lakoff and Johson's definition of metaphor in your first sentence, "they conduct our way of thinking." I didn't even realize that connection until I just read your post! Killingsworth's understanding of metaphor as "the most basic form of speech" would definitely coincide with Lakoff and Johnson's assertion that metaphor's guide our way of thinking and perception.
ReplyDeleteI agree with and also wrote about identification/metaphor in Daniel's hypertext essay. The metaphor is the joining of two unlike things, and in Daniel's essay she joins two unlikely types of people (the civilians and the prisoners).
In reference to the Daniels multimodal site, I have to agree with you and say that the story gained a deeper meaning because of its multivocality a.k.a heteroglossia, the audio, visuals, and overall element of design. I spoke of the actual sound of the voice and its effect on the reader. Their variety and heartache can reach any veiwer. We can all relate, and Daniels uses this to her advantage.
ReplyDeleteThe only challenge I found when first interacting with the site was that multimodal function can get a bit overwhelming especially if you're not viewing it in full screen mode. The different nodes and pathways seem to loop back and some how connect to form one united whole. I plan to take some more time to try and navigate it accordingly. Other than that, the multimodal design could not have been a better choice. She gets her voice across, and we also get to hear her almost indistinct reactions underneath the stories of the inmates. It's all quite emotional actually.