Genre
Philosophical nonfiction
Setting and Context
There is no setting as this is a nonfiction book.
Narrator and Point of View
Rorty narrates the book in the third-person.
Tone and Mood
The tone is powerful; the mood is optimistic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Rorty is the protagonist; nature is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the book occurs when Rorty outlines the notion of Platonists and why he completely rejects it.
Climax
The climax of the book is reached when Rorty explains the reasons behind why the term truth is considered meaningless.
Foreshadowing
The rejection of using truth is foreshadowed by Rorty's strongly held beliefs.
Understatement
The role of language is understated throughout the discussion.
Allusions
The story alludes to the philosophical ideas that underpin society.
Imagery
There is no imagery present as this is a nonfiction book.
Paradox
The fact that Rorty is an academic, yet rejects simple phrases is an example of paradox in the book.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Rorty's own beliefs and the arguments outlined in the book.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
There is no personification as it is a nonfiction book.