Irony and Its limits

I recently came across a nice turn of phrase by Jules Renard, a wry French memoir writer from the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth: “Irony does not dry up the grass. It just burns off the weeds.”

Yes, I think that’s quite right, but only if the irony operates over a culture of conviction. When irony becomes the standard, default stance, then it certainly does dry up the grass.

We’re glad you’re enjoying First Things

Create an account below to continue reading.

Or, subscribe for full unlimited access

 

Already a have an account? Sign In