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Examples of
Paradox
A paradox is a statement that may seem
contradictory but can be true (or at least make
sense). This makes them stand out and play an
important role in literature and everyday life.
Beyond that, they can simply be entertaining
brain teasers.

Take the statement "Less is more." This

statement uses two opposites to contradict
one another. How can less be more? The
concept is that something less complicated is
often more appreciated. Let's talk a little bit
more about this rhetorical device and enjoy a
handful of examples of paradox.

General Paradoxes
Ready to ex your mental muscles? Some of
these statements may make you pause and
these statements may make you pause and
think. Here are some thought-provoking
paradox examples:

Save money by spending it.

If I know one thing, it's that I know nothing.

This is the beginning of the end.

Deep down, you're really shallow.

I'm a compulsive liar.

"Men work together whether they work

together or apart." - Robert Frost

"What a pity that youth must be wasted on

the young." - George Bernard Shaw

"I can resist anything but temptation." -

Oscar Wilde

A paradox can be thought-provoking but

they're also fun to consider. Here are some
paradoxes with a witty bent:

Here are the rules: Ignore all rules.

The second sentence is false. The rst

sentence is true.

I only message those who do not message.

Paradoxes in
Literature
Let's continue to some larger examples of
paradox that appear in works of literature.
Examining their purpose will become an
important part of the process.
 Animal Farm by George
Orwell
In George Orwell's Animal Farm, "All animals
are equal, but some are more equal than

others" is one of the cardinal rules. Clearly this

statement does not make logical sense.
However, the point of a paradox is to point out
a truth, even if the statements contradict each
other.

Orwell is making a political statement here,

but what? Perhaps it's that the government
claims everyone is equal when, clearly, that's
false. Or, perhaps it's that individuals have
skewed perceptions of what it means to be
equal. The interpretation is up to the reader to
decide.

"Holy Sonnet 11" by John

Donne

Poet John Donne wrote, "Death, thou shalt

die," in "Holy Sonnet 11." That's sort of
contradictory, isn't it? How can death die? Well,
this is the beauty of the paradox.

On the surface, this seems like a grim line.

Quite the contrary, though. What Donne is
really saying is that, upon death, heaven is
imminent. And, in heaven, death shall die,
because you are no longer at the mercy of
your inevitable demise. When you remove the
morbid veneer, this is actually a statement of
hope.
 ope.

Hamlet by William
Shakespeare

In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the title

character states, "I must be cruel to be kind."
On the surface, once again, this statement
doesn't seem to make much sense. How can
an individual convey kindness through cruelty?

In this case, Hamlet is speaking about how he

plans to slay Claudius in order to avenge his
father's death. His mother is now married to
Claudius, so, of course, this will be a tragedy
for her. However, he does not want his mother
to be the lover of his father's murderer
(unbeknownst to her) any longer. He believes
the murder will be for her own good.

Paradox vs.
Oxymoron
It's common to confuse a paradox with an
oxymoron. Both are found in literature and
everyday conversation. Here's the di erence
between the two:

A paradox is a statement or group of

sentences that contradict what we know
while delivering an inherent truth.

An oxymoron is a combination of two

words that contradict each other. It's a
dramatic gure of speech.
 g p

Oxymorons are often referred to as a

"contradiction in terms." They're just that. A
word or two that bounce o each other.
Paradoxes, however, are entire phrases,
sentences or quotes. In truth, both achieve the
same result. Examples of oxymorons include
bittersweet, jumbo shrimp, only choice, and
sweet sorrow.

A Purposeful Paradox
Paradoxes have important implications in the
world of literature. They take aim at the overall
theme. Take George Orwell, for example.
Animal Farm was all about class distinctions
and inequalities. With one paradoxical line, he
highlighted what was true for him. To make
sure your next paradox aligns with the theme
of your story, take a look at these
Examples of Theme in Literature.

YourDictionary staff
Grammar & Education Experts

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Examples of Rhetorical
Devices

Related Examples of Oxymorons

Articles Connotation in Literature

Examples

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