Paradox in Writing
"The primary rule of fight club is that you shouldn't discuss fight club."
This well-known quote comes from Chuck Palahniuk's 1996 book, Fight Club, and it makes a lasting impact. It not only envelops the fight club in secrecy but also compels the reader to stop and reflect. Is he violating the fight club rules by discussing them? It's a closed loop and a brilliant literary contradiction. A paradox is a literary technique that seems self-contradictory but reveals a truth, theme, or humor within.
What is a paradox?
In literary paradoxes, there’s an element that appears to be incorrect. These statements contradict themselves and challenge logic to the point that they cause the reader to stop and think. The first aspect of the paradox is this seeming contradiction.
The second aspect reveals the deeper truth underlying it. As the reader becomes engaged with the paradox, they are prompted to seek a deeper understanding of the statement.
Generally, a writer aims to provide the reader with the most seamless reading experience. Occasionally, the author encourages the reader to pause and reflect on a topic more thoroughly. A paradox will do this.
When to use paradox
The primary aim of a paradox is to encourage the reader to stop and contemplate. "I can withstand anything but temptation," proclaims Lord Darlington in Oscar Wilde's 1893 play Lady Windermere's Fan. It seems that Lord Darlington is indicating that he can hold out against all forms of temptation, except for one specific type. In a comical and indirect manner, he is essentially admitting that he is unable to resist temptation. This is a contradictory statement.
Other writers employ paradox to uncover more profound insights into a character, as in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Between 1599 and 1601, when Hamlet says to his mother, "I must be cruel only to be kind," he is attempting to shield her from the repercussions of her behavior. While Hamlet's actions may seem severe, his motives are noble. It may seem like a complete contradiction at first glance, but it's actually a literary paradox.
Rules for writing a paradox
Crafting a strong paradox demands skill from the writer, and like any form of quality writing, it involves some effort.
Although it can be challenging, the guidelines for constructing a paradox are relatively straightforward. To begin with, the statement needs to include a clear contradiction. Think in opposites. Secondly, the reader should uncover a conclusion or truth after some reflection.
If your statement contains inconsistencies and ultimately lacks meaning, it cannot be classified as a literary paradox. It's either a contradiction in reasoning or a mistake.
Literary paradox versus logical paradox
At first glance, a literary paradox seems nonsensical. The final segment of that sentence—“at first”—sets it apart from logical paradoxes.
Unlike logical paradoxes, which have no solution, this phrase suggests a change over time. It goes against logical principles. Literary paradoxes do lead to a conclusion, typically achieved by reasoning and necessitating a bit more contemplation (exactly what the author aims for).
Additionally, a key distinction is that the significance of a literary paradox is frequently not evident in its straightforward interpretation. In reality, the literal interpretation often misses the main point.
For instance, in Lewis Carroll's 1865 book *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland*—a realm filled with paradoxes—there's a moment when the March Hare encourages Alice to have more tea.
Alice responds, somewhat indignantly, that she hasn't had any yet, so she can't drink more.
The Hatter then interjects, saying, "You mean you can't take less; it’s quite simple to have more than nothing."
While it's clear what Alice is trying to convey, Carroll's intention is for readers not to focus on whether Alice should partake in tea.
The essence of this paradox lies in the fragility of the language we often overlook, and it aims to offer a touch of humor.
If this were a logical contradiction, Alice and the March Hare could continue their back-and-forth indefinitely, but that wouldn't create an enjoyable reading experience.
Similar terms to paradox
Numerous effective literary techniques use contrast to impact the reader. A few related concepts include:
Antithesis. This involves employing two opposing ideas that do not conflict with each other. For instance, Neil Armstrong said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” This statement serves as an example of antithesis and is also notably poetic. Armstrong employs juxtaposition with phrases like "small step / giant leap" and "man / mankind," yet he doesn't introduce any obvious contradictions.
Oxymorons. Oxymorons resemble paradoxes in that they both explore contradictory elements. However, the scale of the contradictions present in paradoxes differs from those found in oxymorons. An oxymoron refers to a contradiction involving two words, whereas a paradox involves contradictions at the level of sentences, phrases, or even whole texts. In simpler terms, you can see an oxymoron as a clash of words, while a paradox is a clash of concepts. Irony. Irony refers to a circumstance or statement that subverts what the reader anticipates. In other words, it is precisely what you wouldn’t expect to occur. Naturally, in real life, people exhibit a wide range of conflicting and unpredictable actions. A scene that contains irony is both unexpected and more reflective of real life, which paradoxically makes it somewhat predictable. Is that a paradox?
Examples of paradox in literature
Paradox can manifest in many forms, ranging from clever one-liners to the overarching storyline of a novel. Unraveling these complexities can be particularly engaging for those with a logical learning style. Joseph Heller's 1961 book Catch 22 is fundamentally built on a literary paradox and includes numerous smaller paradoxes.
One such paradox in the story is the idea that only someone who is insane would want to pilot airplanes during a war, yet it is only a rational person who is allowed to do so. If a character wishes to go to war, it implies that he is insane and thus cannot do so.
However, if he is unwilling to go to war, it indicates that he is of sound mind, and as a result, he will be conscripted.
Oscar Wilde is well-known for his succinct paradoxes. In The Importance of Being Earnest, which debuted in 1895, Wilde states, "Maintaining a natural demeanor is quite a challenging role to uphold." He employs paradox to subtly and humorously challenge societal conventions. In this statement, Wilde's character acknowledges that seeming "natural" within his society is, in fact, an artificial behavior.
Similarly, George Orwell employed contradictory statements to highlight the absurdity of the political climate in his era. In his 1945 book, Animal Farm, he stated, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Logically speaking, it is impossible for one thing to be "more equal" than another, as this contradicts the definition of equality. Orwell isn't questioning the principles of mathematics; rather, he is pointing out that in the farm's inequitable society, the term "equality" has become meaningless.
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