Description

Book Synopsis

Examines forms of double meaning, including allusion, ambiguity, innuendo, and courteous phrases used in daily life, politics, and literature. Draws on examples from across the human sciences, from Homer to Shakespeare, Molière, Proust, Foucault, and others.



Trade Review

“In this lively and original work, Laurent Pernot argues that the production of double meaning is a far more wide-ranging phenomenon than we previously thought. Alongside the ‘figured speech’ of ancient Greek and Roman rhetoric, Pernot explores a wealth of cases from nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature, politics, and popular culture. From Michel Foucault’s parrhēsia to The X-Files, dog whistles, and Pink Floyd: there’s much here to delight and instruct.”

—Susan C. Jarratt,author of Chain of Gold: Greek Rhetoric in the Roman Empire


“Pernot adroitly builds his case for the remarkable linguistic faculty that permits one to persuade, convince, illustrate, argue, and entertain most effectively with indirectness and courtesy and by playing with language.”

—K. Liu Choice

The Subtle Subtext

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    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 7 Jul 2026.

    A Hardback by Laurent Pernot, W. E. Higgins

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      Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press
      Publication Date: 14/12/2021
      ISBN13: 9780271091976, 978-0271091976
      ISBN10: 0271091975
      Also in:
      Communication studies

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Examines forms of double meaning, including allusion, ambiguity, innuendo, and courteous phrases used in daily life, politics, and literature. Draws on examples from across the human sciences, from Homer to Shakespeare, Molière, Proust, Foucault, and others.



      Trade Review

      “In this lively and original work, Laurent Pernot argues that the production of double meaning is a far more wide-ranging phenomenon than we previously thought. Alongside the ‘figured speech’ of ancient Greek and Roman rhetoric, Pernot explores a wealth of cases from nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature, politics, and popular culture. From Michel Foucault’s parrhēsia to The X-Files, dog whistles, and Pink Floyd: there’s much here to delight and instruct.”

      —Susan C. Jarratt,author of Chain of Gold: Greek Rhetoric in the Roman Empire


      “Pernot adroitly builds his case for the remarkable linguistic faculty that permits one to persuade, convince, illustrate, argue, and entertain most effectively with indirectness and courtesy and by playing with language.”

      —K. Liu Choice

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