Anti-Climax

__//Anti-Climax//__


 * D** **efinition::** Anti-climax, in rhetoric, is the usually sudden transition in discourse from a significant idea to a trivial or crazy idea. It can also be an event, period, or outcome that is strikingly less important or dramatic than expected.


 * Origin::** First known use in 1696.


 * See also::** Bathos

Definition taken from (merriam-webster.com).


 * Examples** from text:

1) In the episode of "I Love Lucy" called" Lucy Does a T.V. Commercial", Lucy finds a way to become the ad girl for a commercial product during Ricky's show (after he had sternly told her that he did not think she should do the commercial). She endorses a product called "Vitameatavegamin" but during the commerical, it becomes clear the the product actually consists of mostly alcohol and Lucy becomes increasingly intoxicated after each take. Once Ricky takes notice and realizes what is going on, he comes out to sing a song but then decides to carry Lucy offstage.


 * After Ricky carries Lucy offstage, the show ends. This is not a typical conclusion and is an anti-climax because it suddenly turns from Lucy making a fool of herself on air to Ricky helping her leave the set. We expect to see Ricky get angry and perhaps even fight with Lucy about not obeying him. Or, perhaps we expect the producers or directors of the show to be upset and embarrassed. However, the outcome of what really happened is definitely less important and less dramatic than we expected.

2) "'They are going to melt' said the housekeeper, still immovable in the doorway. 'Wait and I'll loan you an umbrella.' 'Thank you,' replied the woman. 'We'll be fine.' She took the child's hand and walked onto street." ("Siesta del Martes" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, translated by T. Rowland).
 * This story is based on a South American plantation where poverty and oppression prevails. A woman has come with her daughter to visit the grave of her son who had just been killed in the unknown town. She goes to the priest to get the keys to the cemetery but the town is closely watching the woman and the priest suggests that they do not go outside into the public until it is dark. This small dialogue is how the story ends, which can be considered an anti-climax, because what actually happens is less dramatic than we expect. We might think that the townspeople will question her or even rob her as she walks outside to the cemetery but we will never know because the story simply ends with her walking out the door and onto the street.



(MN)