Paradox, Foreshadowing, and Irony in Literature PDF

What Is a Paradox in Writing? Learn About the Differences Between Literary Paradox and Logical Paradox With Examples masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-paradox-in-writing-learn-about-the-differences-between-literary-paradox-and- logical-paradox-with-examples Last updated: Sep 30, 2021 3 min r...

What Is a Paradox in Writing? Learn About the Differences Between Literary Paradox and Logical Paradox With Examples masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-paradox-in-writing-learn-about-the-differences-between-literary-paradox-and- logical-paradox-with-examples Last updated: Sep 30, 2021 3 min read This sentence is a lie. This self-referential statement is an example of a paradox—a contradiction that questions logic. In literature, paradoxes can elicit humor, illustrate themes, and provoke readers to think critically. The word “paradox” derives from the Greek word “paradoxons,” meaning contrary to expectation. In literature, a paradox is a literary device that contradicts itself but contains a plausible kernel of truth. For example, in Oscar Wilde’s play Lady Windermere’s Fan, the character Lord Darlington says: “I can resist everything except temptation.” Wilde uses the contradicting ideas in this statement to illustrate the character’s inability to resist temptation. Paradox shares similar elements with two other literary terms: antithesis and oxymoron. The terms are related but serve different functions in literature. An antithesis is a figure of speech that juxtaposes two contrasting ideas. Unlike paradoxes, antitheses focus on the opposition of the opposing ideas. Neil Armstrong’s statement when he stepped on the moon in 1969 is a good example of an antithesis: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The pairing of the small steps and giant steps accentuates the significance of the event —but there is no contradiction between the two ideas. An oxymoron is the conjunction of two words with meanings that contradict each other. While a paradox is the opposition of ideas or themes, an oxymoron is a contradiction merely between words. An example of oxymoron in literature can be found in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In the balcony scene, Juliet exclaims that Romeo’s departure is “sweet sorrow.” What Is the Difference Between a Literary Paradox and a Logical Paradox? All paradoxes can be circuitous. However, there are two types of paradoxes that are defined by whether or not they can be resolved. 1/2  1. 1. A logical paradox is a contradiction that defies logic and is considered unresolvable. The Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea is credited for devising several famous logical paradoxes. In “Achilles and the Tortoise,” Zeno posits that motion is nothing but an illusion. If a tortoise were to get a head start in a footrace with Achilles, the tortoise would hold a lead since Achilles, fast as he might be, would have to continually close the distance between them. 2. 2. A literary paradox is a contradiction that resolves to reveal a deeper meaning behind a contradiction. In John Donne’s “Holy Sonnet 11,” the poet states: “Death, thou shalt die.” Initially, this line appears not to make sense. After all, how can death die? But it can be interpreted to mean that the fear of imminent death does not exist in heaven. 4 Examples of Paradox in Literature Paradoxes can serve many different functions in literature, from revealing truths about characters and planting clues for the reader to from expressing themes and adding humor. Below are a few examples of paradoxes in literature: 1. 1. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, the titular character says, “I must be cruel to be kind.” How can someone be both cruel and kind? This is a good example of how a paradox can add depth to characters: Hamlet believes that by killing Claudius, he is ultimately doing the right thing by avenging his father’s murder. 2. 2. In George Bernard Shaw’s play Man and Superman, the protagonist Jack Tanner says, “The golden rule is that there are no golden rules.” This paradox upends the basic principle of treating others as you would like to be treated and illustrates Shaw’s personal contempt for convention. 3. 3. Oscar Wilde’s use of paradoxes in The Importance of Being Earnest add comedic effect. The ingenue character Cecily Cardew says, “To be natural is such a very difficult pose to keep up.” The paradox expresses that posing is unnatural, but keeping up the appearance of being natural is also an act. 4. 4. In Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll uses paradoxes to define the rules of the nonsensical world and to add humor. In one passage, the March Hare asks Alice if she wants more tea, despite the fact she hasn’t had any tea: “‘I’ve had nothing yet,’ Alice replied in an offended tone, ‘so I can't take more.’ ‘You mean you can’t take less,’ said the Hatter. ‘It's very easy to take more than nothing.’” 2/2 Writing 101: Foreshadowing Definition, Examples of Foreshadowing, and How to Use Foreshadowing in Your Writing masterclass.com/articles/what-is-foreshadowing-foreshadowing-literary-device-tips-and-examples Last updated: Aug 26, 2021 8 min read Storytelling has one ambition at its core: to capture your reader’s attention and keep them engaged with your story until the end. Foreshadowing is a valuable literary technique a writer can use to create and build suspense that will keep your readers turning the page. Foreshadowing is a literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story. Foreshadowing is useful for creating suspense, a feeling of unease, a sense of curiosity, or a mark that things may not be as they seem. In the definition of foreshadowing, the word “hint” is key. Foreshadowing does not necessarily mean explicitly revealing what will happen later in your story. In fact, when it is used effectively, many readers may not even realize the significance of an author’s foreshadowing until the end of the story. For example, in a story where the main character keeps seeing ghosts, there can be multiple events that foreshadow, or give hints, that the character is herself a ghost. The reader may not understand those foreshadowing examples until the very end, when this major plot twist is revealed. While foreshadowing is a common tool in mystery novels, which rely on building suspense, it is not exclusive to that genre. In fact, foreshadowing can be used successfully in any type of book. 2 Types of Foreshadowing There are two basic types of foreshadowing: 1. 1. Direct foreshadowing (or overt foreshadowing): In this type of foreshadowing, the story openly suggests an impending problem, event, or twist. Direct foreshadowing is usually accomplished through the characters’ dialogue, the narrator’s comments, a prophecy, or even a prologue. For instance, in Macbeth, Shakespeare uses direct foreshadowing when the witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and, later, king. 1/3  2. 2. Indirect foreshadowing (or covert foreshadowing): In this type of foreshadowing, the story hints at an outcome by leaving subtle clues throughout the story. With indirect foreshadowing, readers likely won’t realize the meaning of the clues until they witness the foreshadowed event. A great example of indirect foreshadowing occurs in The Empire Strikes Back: In a mysterious vision, Luke Skywalker sees that the face behind Darth Vader’s mask is his own. Later, the audience understands the significance of this foreshadowing when it is revealed that Vader is, in fact, Luke’s father. 5 Foreshadowing Examples and Techniques There are various techniques and methods for foreshadowing in your writing. Here are some of the most popular methods, along with famous foreshadowing examples in literature. 1. 1. Dialogue: You can use your characters’ dialogue to foreshadow future events or big reveals. This foreshadowing may take the form of a joke, an offhand comment, or even something unsaid that adds personality to your characters while planting the seed for later revelations. A prime example of dialogue foreshadowing occurs in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, when Romeo says, “My life were better ended by their hate, than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.” This line foreshadows Romeo’s eventual fate: commiting suicide over the loss of Juliet. (Learn how to write great dialogue here.) 2. 2. Title: The title of a novel or short story can be used to foreshadow major events in the story as well. For instance, Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” foreshadows not just the destruction of the physical house, but the demise of an entire family. 3. 3. Setting: The choices you make about the setting or atmosphere of your story can foreshadow events as well. In Great Expectations, Charles Dickens uses descriptions of weather to foreshadow the dark turn Pip’s story will take: “So furious had been the gusts, that high buildings in town had had the lead stripped off their roofs; and in the country, trees had been torn up, and sails of windmills carried away; and gloomy accounts had come in from the coast, of shipwreck and death.” 4. 4. Metaphor or simile: Figurative language like similes and metaphors can be effective foreshadowing tools. In David Copperfield, Dickens uses simile to foreshadow the betrayal of David by his mother, comparing her to a figure in a fairy tale: “I sat looking at Peggotty for some time, in a reverie on this suppositious case: whether, if she were employed to lose me like the boy in the fairy tale, I should be able to track my way home again by the buttons she would shed.” (Learn more about the differences between metaphors and similes here.) 2/3  5. 5. Character traits: A character’s appearance, attire, or mannerisms can foreshadow that character’s true essence or later actions. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, for instance, author J.K. Rowling makes a point of describing Professor Quirrell’s turban and noting Harry’s curiosity about it. Only later, at the end of the story, do we discover that Quirrell’s turban conceals his possession by the evil Lord Voldemort. (Find our writing tips for character development here.) Literary Devices Similar to Foreshadowing There are a number of literary techniques and practices that have some overlap with foreshadowing. Here are a few to keep in mind. Chekhov’s gun: is a writing best practice often confused with foreshadowing. Russian playwright Anton Chekhov famously said, “If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off.” The refers to the idea that every element in a story should contribute to the whole, and that every detail that “sets up” an outcome should “pay off” in some way. In the example of Chekhov’s gun, that could mean one character shooting another, but an author may also choose to defy that expectation—say, by filling the gun with blanks. Red herring: Unlike foreshadowing, which is designed to hint at something that will happen in your story, a red herring is a literary device that is designed to mislead the reader, distracting them from the eventual twist. Red herrings are often used in mystery novels, with characters suspected of a crime turning out innocent. (Learn more about red herrings here.) Flashforward: The opposite of a flashback, a flashforward (also known as flash- forward or prolepsis) brings your reader forward in time for a glimpse at the future. This is different from foreshadowing, as you’re explicitly showing your readers what is to come. Stories that employ flashforwards derive their suspense not from readers wondering what will happen, but rather how it will happen. 3/3 What Is Irony? Different Types of Irony in Literature, Plus Tips on How to Use Irony in Writing masterclass.com/articles/what-is-irony-different-types-of-irony-in-literature-plus-tips-on-how-to-use-irony-in-writing Last updated: Sep 4, 2021 5 min read As a literary device, irony is often misunderstood. Although many of us learn about irony in our high school English classes through works of theater like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet or Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, many people feel unsure of what irony means— or how to use it correctly. But when deployed with skill, irony is a powerful tool that adds depth and substance to a piece of writing. The definition of irony as a literary device is a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. For example, the difference between what something appears to mean versus its literal meaning. Irony is associated with both tragedy and humor. The term irony entered the English language in the sixteenth century and comes from the French “ironie” and before that, from the Latin “ironia.” All these terms originate from the ancient Greek stereotypical character known as Eiron. An Eiron figure brings down his opponent by understating his abilities, thus engaging in a type of irony by saying less than what he means. What Are the Main Types of Irony? There are a number of different types of irony, each meaning something a little different. Dramatic irony. Also known as tragic irony, this is when a writer lets their reader know something that a character does not. For example, when the reader knows that the bus roaring down the highway is headed for an elevated freeway junction that hasn’t been completed yet, it fills the audience with anticipation and dread for what they know is coming: the passengers’ horror and shock. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, each young lover takes the poison, thinking the other is already dead—the dramatic irony comes from the audience wanting them to know the whole story before taking this final action. Similarly, in Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello trusts Iago—but the audience knows better. Learn more about dramatic irony in our complete guide here. 1/2  Comic irony. This is when irony is used to comedic effect—such as in satire. Jane Austen was a master of irony and dialogue. Her preoccupation with social divisions, and the witty and insightful tone with which she revealed hypocrisy and parodied people contributed heavily to her voice. Austen opens Pride and Prejudice with a famous line implying that men are the ones who hunt for a wife; however, she makes it clear throughout the narrative that it is actually the other way around. Situational irony. This is at play when an expected outcome is subverted. For example, in O. Henry’s classic tale, The Gift of the Magi, a wife cuts off her long hair to sell it in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch. Meanwhile, the husband has sold his watch in order to buy his wife a comb for her hair. The situational irony comes from each person not expecting to have their gift be undercut by the other’s actions. Verbal irony. This is a statement in which the speaker means something very different from what he or she is saying. Think of the knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail: with both his arms sliced off, he says, nonchalantly: “It’s just a flesh wound.” He is ironically (and comically) underplaying the severity of his injury. What Is the Difference Between Irony and Sarcasm? Sarcasm is a conversational device characterized by saying the opposite of what one means. Sarcasm comes from the Greek “sarkázein,” meaning to “tear flesh” and indeed, sarcasm is deployed in a mocking, sneering, and often witty tone. This means it can be self-deprecating, with the speaker mocking themselves; or aimed at someone else, in a teasing manner. The key difference between irony and sarcasm is that sarcasm characterizes someone’s speech. Irony can additionally describe situations or circumstances. There are some cases in which someone could say something that is considered both ironic and sarcastic, but sarcasm is not a literary device. 2/2