Figures of Speech Paradox
In literature, a paradox refers to a statement or situation that appears contradictory or self-defeating but may actually reveal a deeper truth or complexity. Paradoxes are often used to create intellectual tension. It provokes thought and engages the reader’s or audience’s mind. Here are a few examples of paradoxes in literature:
“Less is more.”: This phrase suggests that simplicity and brevity can be more effective and powerful than complexity.
“The beginning of the end”: This expression implies a contradictory relationship between a starting point and its eventual conclusion.
Read More: Literary Term Play
“War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength” (George Orwell’s “1984”): This is a famous example from dystopian literature, where paradoxical slogans are used to control and manipulate the thoughts of the society’s members.
Functions of Paradox:
- Provoking Thought: Paradoxes make readers think deeply by presenting seemingly contradictory ideas and encouraging contemplation.
- Highlighting Irony: They create irony, drawing attention to unexpected truths or contradictions that add complexity to the narrative.
- Emphasizing Themes: Paradoxes enhance the theme by introducing conflicting elements, reinforcing the story’s central message.
- Capturing Attention: Their inherent contradiction captures readers’ interest, making them ponder the meaning behind the apparent inconsistency.
Examples
1. “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”. [Animal Farm, George Orwell]
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Ans: This is an instance of paradox. This statement apparently seems to be absurd. However, on closer examination, it becomes clear that Orwell points out a political truth. The government in the novel claims that everyone is equal but it has never treated everyone equally. It is the concept of equality stated in this paradox that is opposite to the common belief of equality. The function of this paradox is to communicate a tone of irony to its readers.
2. “I must be cruel to be kind. “[Hamlet, Shakespeare)
Ans: This is an example of a paradox. This statement apparently seems absurd. How can a person treat others kindly when he is cruel? Hamlet wants to kill Claudius to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet thinks that this murder will be cruel to Claudius and good for his mother. The function of this paradox is to sum up the totality of the work
3. “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.” [Gray]
Ans: This is an example of paradox. At first, this seems absurd – how the paths of glory lead but to the grave. The function of this paradox is to reveal the truth that the end of human life, however glorious its achievements, is death.
Read More: Literary Term Elegy
Previous Years Questions and Solutions
NTRCA Exam-2007
1. “April is the cruellest month breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire stirring
Dull roots with spring rain. [T.S. Eliot]
Ans. This is an instance of paradox. Here, the statement seems to be self-contradictory and absurd; it is also against the received opinion. April generally stands for life. But the wastelands regard it as the cruellest month because they are spiritually dead, and they do not want any spiritual reawakening. This paradox serves the purpose of communicating a tone of irony to its readers.
NTRCA Exam-2008, 2011
1. “The child is father of the man
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.”
Ans. This is an example of a paradox. Here, the statement is self-contradictory and absurd; it is also against the received opinion- how a child can be the father of a man. But when we look deep into its meaning, we see the truth that childhood experiences become the basis for all adult occurrences; the childhood of a person shapes his life, and consequently, “fathers” create the grown-up adult. So, “The child is the father of the man.” This paradox gives us pleasure and creates a remarkable thought.
NTRCA Exam-2012
1. “Nine soldiers out of ten are born fools.”
Ans: This is an instance of parados. Here, the statement seems to be self-contradictory and absurd; it is also against the received opinion. It seems absurd at first (for, how can soldiers be cowards?) and conflicts with the received opinion (for, we think soldiers to be brave). This paradox serves the purpose of revealing a novel truth since we realize that concern for the safety of life makes soldiers as cowardly as any ordinary man.
Read More: Definition of Literary Terms
NTRCA Exam-2014
1. “Sweet are the uses of adversity”
Ans: This is an instance of paradox. Here, the statement is self-contradictory and absurd. It is also against the received opinion. It seems absurd at first how adversity can be sweet because we know that adversity is bitter. But if we go deeper we find adversity has its value because it teaches us valuable lessons in our lives. Here, it creates a remarkable thought.
