Adapted from "A Review of the Past Legal Season"
from The New Yorker (June 9, 1928)
This is the time of year when reviews of the season are in order, when we like to
look over the list of performances of the past year, hand out a few well-placed
wallops, and settle down for a long comfortable rest during the heated
temperatures.
It has been a great season; the Supreme Court played to capacity all year and the
Municipal Courts turned them away. There has been the usual number of failures,
of course, but on the whole, there has been an extraordinary number of hits. As
usual, the legal profession has gone in heavily for farce and slapstick comedy.
There seems to be a growing tendency each year on the part of the courts to cater
to the tastes of the tired businessman. A seasoned trial-goer put it rather neatly:
"There's enough sadness in the theatre," he said. "When I go to court I want to be
amused."
What can be inferred about how the author uses language in this excerpt?
The author uses ironic language to prove a comedic point.
The author uses critical language to persuade his audience
The author uses informal language to lighten up a serious topic.
O The author uses negative language to make an opinion