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Fig. 13.2
Tropic
communication using internal
views
It is postulated that Actor A's and Actor B's internal emotional reactions to this
external stimulus differ. The different shapes within the hard circle associated with
each actor are intended to represent this difference. We use a simple model that will
illustrate how discussion will lead inevitably to the kind of differences of opinion
commonly experienced by those discussing art works. We assume B provides a
figurative description in which its (B's) differing perception of the effect of Triangle
Music is conveyed to Actor A. This will, in turn, adjust A's model of B's perception.
The process is now traced in more detail. As noted, the series of shapes in the
central oblong represent different pieces of music experienced by both A and B.
They can therefore describe their respective reactions to the first of these, Triangle
Music, by comparing the effect of Triangle Music with the effect of Circle Music,
Square Music, and so on. This use of comparative reference is what we take to be
characteristic of figurative discourse. A's initial emotional reaction to Triangle Music
is represented by a heart shape, B's by a star. This implies that both Actors have their
own individual responses. In conversation B describes to A how it feels about Triangle
Music. As a result of this explanation, A begins to build an internal representation
of what it believes to be B's emotional reaction: this is shown in Fig.
13.2
by the
soft circle B
1
. A can never know exactly what reaction has taken place in B's mind
because we cannot describe our emotional states directly, only indirectly via the use
of what we have described as “Tropic Communication”, the use of metaphor, simile
and other tropes; a figurative language. The inevitable result of this tropic description
is that A's picture of what is in B's mind is inaccurate, thus B
1
is shown containing a
polygon only loosely similar to the star B is “actually” describing. The only means
B can use to describe its reaction to Triangle Music is by making statements like
“It was more dramatic than Circle Music”, or, “It was much less lively than Cross
Music”, and so on. We note that 'dramatic' and 'lively' are emotional dimensions
that are understood internally by each actor.
