What is Dissonance?
Lack of harmony or agreement.
The Art of Discordant Harmony
Dissonance is a powerful tool in the writer's arsenal, a way to create tension and interest by deliberately introducing elements that are out of sync with each other. Whether in syntax, tone, or subject matter, dissonance can both challenge and reward readers who are willing to grapple with it, adding layers of nuance and depth to any piece of writing that uses it skillfully.
Dissonance can take many forms in literature, but it is always a powerful tool to add richness and complexity to any work. Here are a few examples of how authors have used dissonance to great effect.
In Conrad's iconic novella Heart of Darkness, the dissonance between the protagonist's beliefs and the reality he discovers in Africa leaves him reeling and questioning his own sense of morality.
Eliot's poem The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is a masterclass in dissonance, as the narrator oscillates between grandiose philosophical musings and mundane, even embarrassing, details of his life.