I had a co-worker once, a really nice guy who never expressed a single political idea ever. He was a huge Star Wars nerd and would keep Star Wars toys on his desk and one for a costume party he dressed up in a full Darth Vader costume. He had never given it a thought that the movies could be an allegory of something in the real world and he was really surprised to learn about them being an allegory of the Vietnam war.
My wife doesn't really get subtext, and once showed me an exchange between her and a male friend, about 6 month into us dating.
Male friend was clearly into her and she was oblivious, and male friend kept using euphemisms to avoid saying it outright, and was pissed she was dating someone "while we're talking"
She had no idea that some people use "talking" as code for "not dating officially but super into each other" and she had no idea he was even into her. And based on what I now know of both my wife and this (now former) friend, she was being a normal nice and a decent human being instead of shitty and short with everyone at the factory, and he took that as interest in him.
So this whole time he's going on about them "talking" she's just like "yeah we're talking? Like right now? Are we not? Is this not talking?" as in "yes we are exchanging words" and he wants to hear "I'm into you" so he things she means "of course we're talking silly".
Awkward exchanges after that.
And I've had to explain plenty of movies that are allegories and what sociopolitical influences made a show go a certain direction. She understands once I explain, but she probably wouldn't get there on her own.
I had a co-worker once, a really nice guy who never expressed a single political idea ever. He was a huge Star Wars nerd and would keep Star Wars toys on his desk and one for a costume party he dressed up in a full Darth Vader costume. He had never given it a thought that the movies could be an allegory of something in the real world and he was really surprised to learn about them being an allegory of the Vietnam war.
me dressed head to toe in a darth Vader outfit: wait the veterinarians fought in a war?
My wife doesn't really get subtext, and once showed me an exchange between her and a male friend, about 6 month into us dating.
Male friend was clearly into her and she was oblivious, and male friend kept using euphemisms to avoid saying it outright, and was pissed she was dating someone "while we're talking"
She had no idea that some people use "talking" as code for "not dating officially but super into each other" and she had no idea he was even into her. And based on what I now know of both my wife and this (now former) friend, she was being a normal nice and a decent human being instead of shitty and short with everyone at the factory, and he took that as interest in him.
So this whole time he's going on about them "talking" she's just like "yeah we're talking? Like right now? Are we not? Is this not talking?" as in "yes we are exchanging words" and he wants to hear "I'm into you" so he things she means "of course we're talking silly".
Awkward exchanges after that.
And I've had to explain plenty of movies that are allegories and what sociopolitical influences made a show go a certain direction. She understands once I explain, but she probably wouldn't get there on her own.
Some people do NOT understand subtext. At ALL.