Irwin and Posner exchange

Discuss how Irwin and Posner’s relationship is presented in this exchange.

Irwin and Posner’s relationship is presented in many ways throughout this exchange but a lot also seems to be revealed about both characters.

When describing one of his attributes, Irwin uses the word ‘meretricious’ then continues on to define it as ‘eyecatching,showy;false.’ The use of asyndetic listing reveals more about Irwin and suggests he knows his own personality but is not too worried about what others think of him. However, it seems Posner is the focus of this exchange as he is not the Posner Irwin and the readers knew from school.  Posner’s constant inclusion of simple sentences during the discourse is an attempt to provoke a reaction out of Irwin. Simply using a declarative sentence ‘you liked him’ in reference to Dakin could affect Irwin greatly but he chose to stay mute. Although he did not receive a comment back, Posner continues on to say ‘he liked you..didn’t he’? The ellipses being the linguistic feature here shows hesitation and uncertainty but also gives Irwin a chance to possibly finish the sentence.  The subtext included simply hints at Irwin’s previous infatuation with Dakin.

Towards the end of the exchange, the relationship between Irwin and Posner seems to take a more negative turn. When Irwin finds out Posner is miked he calls him out and says ‘how did you come to this?’ This interrogative is important because everyone knew how obedient and innocent Posner was so for him to do a job like this is saddening. Saying this, when Irwin refuses to write ‘to David’ as requested by Posner, we see traces of Irwin as a teacher and the blatant disrespect he is not afraid to expose. Not using the correct vocatives suggests Irwin is almost treating Posner as if he were still one of his pupils. Although Posner’s initial motive was to secretly interview Irwin, he still addresses him as ‘Sir’, showing that he is in fact still polite as ever. Just before signing the book, Irwin tells Posner to ‘fuck off’ which, although taboo, doesn’t seem that big of a deal as we are used to Irwin speaking like this. Then again, it’s still Posner he is talking to and Posner was never a ‘delinquent’, so for him to talk to him in that manner can come off slightly rude.

Irwin and Posner’s relationship is presented in both positive and negative ways during their discourse. Irwin shows a hint of concern towards Posner’s well-being but soon becomes irritated with him and wants him gone immediately. We know this because of the dismissal of Posner’s requests. Compared to Irwin and Posner’s previous exchanges, this one can be considered pretty brutal.