Blog Post #3

"How did I know you ran the mile in a 4:30 in high school? That's easy. Everyone ran the mile in 4:30 in high school."
-Frank Shorter, out running somewhere, circa 1969

The quote from above is a epigraph or short quotation that the author chooses to place at the beginning of the novel to set the theme for the novel. The rhetorical devices used in this quote from Frank Shorter are hyperbole, and irony. Hyperbole is defined as obvious and intentional exaggeration, Frank Shorter is clearly exaggerating about everyone running a 4:30 mile in high school because it is such a common lie for runners. Along with hyperbole I believe Shorter is using Irony. As a world class runner and gold medalist Olympian, Frank Shorter attracts a lot of runners that come seeking answers and truths. Over the years many up and coming runners have approached him looking to spark interest in the guru by boasting their high school mile times. Frank uses irony in this quote by suggesting to whoever he is talking to that he already knew they ran a 4:30 mile in high school because everyone he talks to ran a 4:30 mile. I believe the author John. L. Parker chose to include this quote leading into the book to set the tone that this story will bring the truth out of running