Paradox
Literary term · say it PAIR-uh-doks
A paradox is a statement or situation that seems to contradict itself but may reveal a truth when examined closely. In literature, it often challenges simple ideas about love, duty, freedom, or human nature.
Two ways paradox appears
A paradox in words
A statement brings together ideas that seem unable to be true at the same time. Thinking through the contradiction can uncover its meaning.
In Hamlet, Hamlet tells his mother that his harsh treatment of her serves a caring purpose. His claim brings cruelty and kindness together as parts of the same action.
In Hamlet by William Shakespeare
A paradox in a situation
An event or choice seems to work against itself, yet carries a deeper sense. What looks like a loss may also become a gain.
In A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton takes Charles Darnay's place at the guillotine. By giving up his life, Carton gives that life the purpose he had struggled to find.
In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
How to spot paradox
- Look for claims or events that seem to contradict themselves.
- Ask how both sides could make sense together.
- Connect the contradiction to a character's choices or the book's larger ideas.
What is the difference between paradox and oxymoron?
An oxymoron joins clashing words in a short phrase, while a paradox usually involves a fuller statement or situation. An oxymoron can express a paradox, but a paradox can also unfold across a character's choices or an entire story.
Is a paradox just a contradiction?
A literary paradox is an apparent contradiction that invites a meaningful explanation, rather than simply a mistake. The reader can often see how its opposing ideas fit together once the context, motives, or consequences become clear.
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