What is a Paradox?
A paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself but may be true in reality.
Untangling the Knot: Paradox in Literature and Language
We often encounter paradoxes in literature and everyday language. At first glance, a paradox may seem like a contradiction, but a closer examination can reveal hidden truths.
Take for example this famous paradox by the philosopher Epimenides: 'All Cretans are liars.' Assuming Epimenides is a Cretan, his statement is a contradiction—if all Cretans are liars, how can we trust what he says? However, the statement may be true, if we consider that Cretans are known for their wily ways of deceiving outsiders.
In creative writing, paradoxes can be used to add depth and complexity to characters and themes. A character who is both loving and cruel, or a theme that explores the beauty and darkness of human nature, can be expressed through paradoxical phrasing. Likewise, in grammar, a paradoxical sentence structure can create emphasis or highlight a surprising idea.
So, next time you come across a paradox, take a moment to untangle the knot, and you might be surprised at what you find.
Paradoxes have long been used in literature to challenge readers' perceptions and explore complex themes. Here are two examples of how paradox is used in classic works of literature:
In Bradbury's dystopian novel, firemen are tasked with burning books in a society that values mindless entertainment over critical thinking. The character Faber delivers a paradoxical line that highlights the irony of this world: 'The books are to remind us what asses and fools we are. They're Caesar's praetorian guard, whispering as the parade roars down the avenue, 'Remember, Caesar, thou art mortal.''
The Greek tragedy follows the downfall of the titular character, who unwittingly fulfills a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. One of the most famous lines comes from the character Tiresias, who delivers a paradox to Oedipus: 'Blind who now has eyes, beggar who now is rich, he will grope his way toward a foreign soil, a stick tapping before him step by step.'