The World According to Garp | Techniques
One of Irving's major techniques, in this as in his other novels, is the fusion of extreme violence and comedy. His characters become involved in grotesque situations, often involving ironic coincidence, such as Garp's accidentally running his car into the back of one owned by the man with whom his wife is having an affair and causing her to bite off her lover's penis. Both the novelist and the characters accept the situation as merely a part of life, and so the reader is able to laugh at the irony or the slapstick and accept the violence. As a defense against those who might accuse him...
[The entire page is 306 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
Tell a friend about The World According to Garp at eNotes.
