Lit Term Make Up

Example of Oxymoron:

“With miserable delight, I feel: saved.” (We, page 134). The oxymoron lies in the “miserable delight” since by definition, something delightful can’t be miserable. Zamyatin uses this oxymoron to develop internal conflict in D-503, and begin to show him questioning his own logic and reasoning.

Example of Parallel Structure:

“As I write this, I feel something: my cheeks are burning.

“As I write this: I feel my cheeks burn.” (We, page 4).  Parallel structure can be used to emphasize a certain idea. Zamyatin uses parallel structure in this instance to suggest a recurring theme of “burning”. Burning has connotations of negativity and destructiveness which become a motif throughout the book.

Example of Paradox:

“A wave of poison joy rose in my throat”. (Stranger, page 110) This is different from an oxymoron in that poison joy sounds like it contradicts itself since poison is bad and joy is positive and you shouldn’t have a “bad” kind of joy. But, it actually does make sense because your joy could be poisoned by something. Camus uses this to describe Mersault as he considers what it would be like to be free from prison and suggests that although he is joyful at the prospect, it is poisoned because he knows that the chances of it happening are slim.

Example of Repetition:

“if only I knew what was up above-up high? If only I knew: who I am, which one is me?” (We, page 57). This is an example of repetition in which the author repeats “If only I knew…” which seems like the author is trying to suggest that there are certain things that cannot be known.

Example of Juxtaposition:

“…as if familiar paths traced in summer skies could lead as easily to prison as to the sleep of the innocent” (The Stranger, 97). Juxtaposition sets two different ideas side by side to contrast them or put emphasis on them. In this instance, Camus puts prison, which is dark and confined, with summer skies and innocent sleep, which is open and free in order to contrast Mersault’s old life with his new life.

Example of Ambiguity:  

“…about when he would be a big ruler of things with her reaping the benefits” (Their Eyes Were Watching God, page 28). This is an example of ambiguity because of the word “things”. Hurston does not specify what things Joe will be a ruler over. Therefore, the term is ambiguous. Hurtston uses the ambiguity of “things” to suggest that Joe will be ruling over something obvious like a store or town, but also a deeper meaning that he will be ruling over Janie as well.