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Diction In Henry James 'Odger's Funeral'

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In “Odger’s Funeral” by Henry James, irreverent, disdainful tones exhibit the way James feels about the man’s funeral. The plot involves a reporter attending a man’s funeral, considered to be the scum of society by James. James has an offensive and uppity diction throughout the story. When he mentions “the element of grotesque was very noticeable,” he states that the environment was absurd and disgusting. He was not at all satisfied with the funeral as it did not meet his expectations. He did not call it a tragedy, [“but a very serious comedy”]. This shows ridicule in a somber occasion. Claiming that the day was “magnificent” and “the finest of the year” shows his narcissistic attitude. Stating that a horrible, depressing funeral is a happy

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