Rhetorical Refusals: Defying Audiences' Expectations

by John Schilb

The first book to explore rhetorical refusals —instances in which speakers and writers deliberately flout the conventions of rhetoric and defy their audiences’ expectations— Rhetorical Refusals: Defying Audiences’ Expectations challenges the reader to view these acts of academic rebellion as worthy of deeper analysis than they are commonly accorded, as rhetorical refusals can simultaneously reveal unspoken assumptions behind the very conventions they challenge, while also presenting new rhetorical strategies. Through a series of case studies, John Schilb demonstrates the deeper meanings contained within rhetorical refusals: when dance critic Arlene Croce refused to see a production that she wrote about; when historian Deborah Lipstadt declined to debate Holocaust deniers; when President Bill Clinton denied a grand jury answers to their questions; and when Frederick Douglass refused to praise Abraham Lincoln unequivocally. Each of these unexpected strategies revealed issues of much greater importance than the subjects at hand . By carefully laying out an underlying framework with which to evaluate these acts, Schilb shows that they can variously point to the undue privilege of authority; the ownership of truth; the illusory divide between public and private lives; and the subjectivity of honor. According to Schilb, rhetorical refusals have the potential to help political discourse become more inventive. To demonstrate this potential, Schilb looks at some notable cases in which invitations have led to unexpected results: comedian Stephen Colbert’s brazen performance at the White House Press Association dinner; poet Sharon Olds’s refusal to attend the White House Book Fair, and activist Cindy Sheehan’s display of an anti-war message at the 2006 State of the Union Address. Rhetorical Refusals explores rhetorical theories in accessible language without sacrificing complexity and nuance, revealing the unspoken implications of unexpected deviations from rhetorical norms for classic political concepts like free debate and national memory. With case studies taken from art, politics, literature, and history, this book will appeal to scholars and students of English, communication studies, and history.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frederick Douglas is both critical and lauditory of Abraham Lincoln in dedicating a statue in his memory. Bill Clinton refuses to answer the questions of the Grand Jury. Dance critic Arlene Croce reviews the dance piece, Still/Here without bothering to see it. These are just a few examples of rhetorical refusals. Author and adept analyst of popular culture and communication delves into instances where speakers and writers defy their audiences' expectations. Sometimes, the speaker or author (rhetor) even pit one audience against another (a la Fox News or Rush Limbaugh).

Schilb creates a fascinating, challenging argument. Perhaps encouraging the unexpected and examining the outrageous will move forward public discourse.

[Melody]

An interesting book about one particular rhetorical strategy: the refusal. Schilb characterizes refusals as deliberate rejections of an audiences expectation in an effort to make a point. The text is a provocative and enjoyable read about a rhetorical form that has become far more common since Schilb brought them to our attention. In this way, the book is a welcome contribution to current conversations about the exercise and limits of the first amendment through moments of rhetorical refusal, such as KellyAnne Conway's aversion to direct questioning or the Navy Seal's father refusing to speak with the President. Worth a read for folks interested in rhetoric or first amendment issues. Would love a revised edition in light of contemporary politics!