Summary Of Lord Of Misrule By David Brooks

David Brooks is a political journalist and regular contributor to the New York Times newspaper. He also teaches at Yale University. The New York Times article, “Lord of Misrule,” by David Brooks draws comparisons between Donald Trump and the carnival culture of the Middle Ages. Brooks uses numerous literary devices such as analogy, allusion, and invective language to show readers how history is repeating itself. He evokes strong emotions in readers through the literary devices he uses. This article focuses on Donald Trump and the carnival culture of the Middle Ages. Brooks begins the article by telling the history of Christian worship over the years. He says that early Christians originally worshipped with “ecstatic dancing” and extravagant celebrations. The church later grew more

The whole essay is an extended analogy between modern times and the carnival culture of the Middle Ages. Brooks says, “We’re living with exactly the kinds of injustices that lead to carnival culture.” He compares Trump to the “fools” of the carnival who insulted civilized society. The history in the first part of the essay becomes a very potent tool to help readers understand what Brooks believes led to the rise of Trump. Brooks uses many allusions to ancient and modern history through the course of the essay. He describes King David when “he stripped down to his linens and whirled about before the ark of the covenant.” Brooks also alludes to the Michals who introduced “Somber priest-led rituals” into the church which he later compares to modern civilized society. The modern allusion to the “assault on Representative John Lewis” are compared to insults hurled at authority figures at carnival in the Middle Ages. All of the allusions and analogies Brooks uses helps him get his point across to readers: that history is somewhat repeating