Dissonance

Introduction

Dissonance in literature refers to a deliberate use of harsh, jarring sounds, phrases, or ideas within a passage to create a feeling of discomfort or tension in the reader. This literary device is often utilized by writers to provoke a deep, emotional response or to highlight conflict or contrast within their narrative. The use of dissonance can be seen across various forms of writing, from poetry to prose, where it enhances the textual landscape by challenging the reader’s expectations and evoking a more visceral reaction to the text. Through dissonance, authors can effectively convey complex themes and emotions, such as discord, turmoil, or even the cacophony of everyday life.

Pronunciation: /dɪˈsɒnəns/

When Do Writers Use Dissonance?

Writers use dissonance to add complexity to their narratives, often aiming to unsettle the reader or to convey a particular mood or atmosphere that mirrors the themes of the work. Dissonance can serve as a powerful tool to reflect inner turmoil, societal unrest, or the clash of opposing forces within the story. For example, in a poem, dissonant sounds might mimic the chaos of a storm or the tension of an argument, thereby enhancing the sensory experience of the text. In novels, dissonance can be used in dialogue or narrative descriptions to highlight the stark differences between characters’ ideologies or to bring out the rawness of a particular setting or situation.

How Should I Use Dissonance?

When using dissonance in your writing, consider the following guidelines to ensure it serves your narrative effectively:

1. Purpose: Define what you want to achieve with dissonance. Are you trying to highlight a conflict, create an unsettling mood, or depict discord? Your goal will guide how you implement dissonant elements.
2. Placement: Use dissonance strategically. It’s most effective when placed at pivotal moments in the story or in places where you want to draw the reader’s attention or elicit a strong emotional response.
3. Balance: While dissonance can be powerful, it should not overwhelm the narrative. Balance dissonant passages with more harmonious sections to avoid fatiguing the reader and to enhance the impact of the dissonant elements when they do appear.
4. Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sounds, word choices, and sentence structures to find what best conveys the feeling or message you intend to express. Dissonance can be subtle or overt, and finding the right level for your work is key to its effectiveness.

By adhering to these rules, you can skillfully incorporate dissonance into your writing, adding depth and resonance to your literary creations.

Types of Dissonance

Dissonance in literature can manifest in several forms, each serving a unique purpose in the text. Here are some common types of dissonance you might encounter:

1. Auditory Dissonance: This involves the use of clashing or harsh sounds within a passage. Writers might use cacophonous combinations of words to evoke specific auditory impressions that contribute to the mood or meaning of the text.
2. Semantic Dissonance: Here, the clash occurs between meanings or ideas. The juxtaposition of contradictory or contrasting concepts can create a sense of confusion, tension, or complexity, prompting deeper reflection from the reader.
3. Syntactic Dissonance: This type involves disrupting the grammatical flow of sentences. Writers might employ fragmented or unusually structured sentences to disturb the reading experience, mirroring the disruption in the narrative or the characters’ lives.
4. Emotional Dissonance: This type refers to the creation of conflicting emotions within the reader or between characters. By presenting scenarios or dialogues that pull the reader in different emotional directions, writers can effectively convey the complexities of human experiences and relationships.

Dissonance in Literature

Dissonance has been effectively used in literature by many famous authors to enhance their narratives. Some notable examples include:

• “Beloved” by Toni Morrison: Morrison uses dissonance to reflect the traumatic past of her characters and the haunting memories of slavery. The jarring narrative style and the fragmented presentation of memories create a powerful sense of emotional and historical dissonance.
• “1984” by George Orwell: Orwell employs linguistic dissonance through the concept of “doublethink,” where contradictory beliefs exist simultaneously, reflecting the oppressive political climate of his dystopian world.
• “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot: This poem is filled with dissonant images and allusions that create a fragmented, chaotic vision of post-World War I society, challenging readers to find meaning amidst the apparent chaos.

Dissonance in Children’s Books

Dissonance can also be found in children’s literature, where it is used to capture attention or to teach valuable life lessons. Some examples include:

• “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak: The wild rumpus scenes use a form of auditory and emotional dissonance to represent Max’s inner turmoil and wild imagination.
• “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson: This book uses rhythmic and rhyming dissonance to create a playful and engaging experience that captures the tension and humor in the story of a mouse’s encounter with a mythical creature.
• “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss: The repetitive and seemingly contradictory insistence of Sam-I-Am provides a form of semantic dissonance, as it challenges the protagonist’s strong aversion to trying something new.

Dissonance in Poetry

Poetry often utilizes dissonance to evoke strong emotional responses or to emphasize particular themes. Some famous examples include:

• “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: The use of unsettling imagery and irregular meter creates a dissonant effect that mirrors the supernatural and moral disquiet of the poem.
• “Daddy” by Sylvia Plath: Plath employs dissonant sounds and stark, conflicting imagery to express deep personal and emotional turmoil, reflecting her complex feelings towards her father and husband.
• “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas: The poem’s repetitive structure and the dissonance between the urge to fight against death and the peaceful acceptance of it enhance its emotional impact.

These examples show how dissonance can be a powerful tool across different genres and audiences in literature.

Dissonance in Songs

Dissonance is a common technique in music, often used to create tension or emotional depth. Here are ten famous examples where dissonance plays a key role:

1. “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles: The orchestral build-up creates a rising tension that is both unsettling and compelling.
2. “Black Sabbath” by Black Sabbath: The tritone, or ‘devil’s interval’, used in the main riff, is a classic example of musical dissonance.
3. “The Beautiful People” by Marilyn Manson: Dissonant guitar riffs and harsh vocals enhance the song’s aggressive themes.
4. “Karma Police” by Radiohead: The song uses dissonant chords to create a sense of unease that matches its lyrical content.
5. “Machine Gun” by Jimi Hendrix: The feedback and dissonant guitar noises evoke the chaos of war.
6. “21st Century Schizoid Man” by King Crimson: Dissonant saxophone and guitar parts reflect the song’s chaotic and fragmented lyrics.
7. “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin: The breakdown section features a theremin solo over dissonant backing tracks, adding to the song’s edgy feel.
8. “Revolution 9” by The Beatles: This experimental track is an amalgam of dissonant sounds and fragments creating a bewildering audio collage.
9. “Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima” by Krzysztof Penderecki: Though not a conventional song, this piece powerfully uses dissonance to evoke the horror of the atomic bomb.
10. “Yeezus” by Kanye West: The album is known for its industrial sounds and deliberate use of dissonance, challenging traditional music structures.

Dissonance in Movies

Dissonance in film can be auditory, visual, or narrative, creating tension and conflict. Here are some famous examples:

1. “Psycho” (1960): The screeching strings during the infamous shower scene create intense auditory dissonance that heightens the terror.
2. “Jaws” (1975): The discordant, menacing theme music plays against the seemingly peaceful ocean scenes, building suspense.
3. “A Clockwork Orange” (1971): The use of classical music during violent scenes creates a disturbing contrast between sound and visuals.
4. “The Shining” (1980): Dissonant soundtrack and unsettling visual patterns contribute to the eerie atmosphere.
5. “Requiem for a Dream” (2000): The intense, rapid cuts and discordant music reflect the disintegration of the characters’ lives.
6. “No Country for Old Men” (2007): The lack of music creates a dissonant silence that amplifies the tension and unpredictability.
7. “Birdman” (2014): The continuous drum score provides a jarring backdrop to the narrative, enhancing the protagonist’s psychological turmoil.
8. “There Will Be Blood” (2007): The discordant, eerie soundtrack mirrors the main character’s moral decay and greed.
9. “Whiplash” (2014): The intense, often discordant jazz music performances parallel the conflict between the main characters.
10. “Black Swan” (2010): The use of dissonant sound effects and music enhances the psychological horror and protagonist’s descent into madness.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Dissonance

“You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.” – On the Waterfront (1954)

This line effectively showcases the emotional dissonance between the character’s dreams and his reality, highlighting his internal conflict and regret.

Youtube Link of a Relevant Movie Clip Demonstrating Dissonance

Watch the Shower Scene from Psycho

This clip from Psycho demonstrates auditory dissonance, where the harsh, piercing string music contrasts sharply with the visual horror of the scene, amplifying the shock and terror.

Dissonance in Advertising

Dissonance is often used in advertising to grab attention or to create memorable campaigns. Some examples include:

1. Apple’s “1984” Super Bowl Commercial: The stark, dystopian imagery contrasted with the then-contemporary setting of viewers, creating a powerful visual and thematic dissonance.
2. Reebok’s “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” ads: The unexpected introduction of a football linebacker into an office setting creates a humorous dissonance.
3. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”: The rapid, nonsensical shifts in setting and action create a delightful dissonance that captures viewers’ attention and amusement.

Dissonance Related Literary Devices

Dissonance is closely related to several other literary devices, including:

1. Irony: Irony often involves a contrast between expectations and reality, similar to how dissonance involves a clash of sounds or ideas.
2. Juxtaposition: Placing two contrasting elements close together to highlight their differences is a common technique in creating dissonant effects.
3. Antithesis: This device involves the direct contrast of structurally parallel word groupings, generally for the purpose of contrast, which can create a form of semantic dissonance.
4. Paradox: A statement that contradicts itself but might include a latent truth uses conceptual dissonance to provoke thought and insight.

These devices, like dissonance, are used to enrich the text by adding layers of meaning and complexity.