Adynoton: A War Topos

about

Kate McLoughlin’s essay, "Adynaton: A War Topos," examines the rhetorical device of adynaton—statements of impossibility or inadequacy of description—and its prevalence in war literature. From classical examples by Archilocus and Virgil to modern war reportage by Martha Gellhorn and Michael Herr, McLoughlin traces how this trope has been used to convey the indescribable horrors and chaotic nature of war. The essay explores the reasons why war often seems beyond the reach of language, the necessity of attempting to write about it, and the effects such writing has on both writers and readers. By analyzing various instances of adynaton, McLoughlin provides insights into the challenges of war representation and the enduring need to articulate the inexpressible. This essay is essential reading for those interested in rhetoric, literary studies, and the cultural impact of war.

author

Kate McLoughlin is Lecturer in English Literature at Birkbeck, University of London.