Genre
Investigative poll book
Setting and Context
The book is sent in the context of optimism.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Pessimistic, informative, insightful
Protagonist and Antagonist
Lauren Berlant is the protagonist of the book.
Major Conflict
The main conflict is that cruel optimism is pervasive and dangerous because it harms people.
Climax
The climax comes when one wrestles with fate to comprehend desire. Consequently, optimism ceases to be cruel when he understands his desires and pursues them with a positive mind.
Foreshadowing
Cruel optimism is foreshadowed by failure to understand one’s desires.
Understatement
Optimism is understated when the author says it is cruel. With proper mind and positive thinking, optimism turns out to be meaningful.
Allusions
The story alludes to positive thinking and its impact on human beings.
Imagery
The imagery of desire and attachment is evident in the book. For instance, the author explains that understanding one's needs and following those desires is a positive move in life. The imagery is critical in aiding the reader to understand that optimism is not a bad thing as long one is focused.
Paradox
The main paradox is that optimism can be cruel when desires are misunderstood.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Optimism is a metonymy for comprehension of desire.
Personification
N/A
