Procatalepsis describes when the author brings up the counter argument only to immediately discredited it. The word comes fromthe prefix pro-, meaning in support of, the component cata, meaning contrary and the suffix -lepsis, referring to an attack. In all, an attack against the contrary in the support of something else.
An author would use procatalepsis in order to strengthen their argument. It denounces the oppositions argument before the opposition can even bring it up. This allows the author to discredit it prior to the opposition building it up. Procatalepsis deals with the counter argument before it can even be supported.
In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad has the character Marlow employ procatalepsis. While describing Romans Marlow states, “He has to live in the midst of the incomprehensible, which is also detestable. And it has a fascination, too, that goes to work upon him. The fascination of the abomination—you know. Imagine the growing regrets, the longing to escape, the powerless disgust, the surrender, the hate...Mind, none of us would feel exactly like this. What saves us is efficiency—the devotion to efficiency. But these chaps were not much account, really. They were no colonists; their administration was merely a squeeze, and nothing more, I suspect..." (Conrad 4). By doing so, Marlow is immediately discounting the argument that his fellow crew members might bring up: that they do not feel like Marlow has described Romans. After quickly discrediting the counter argument with procatalepsis, Marlow is allowed to move on with his argument.
No comments:
Post a Comment