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Motifs
Definition of Paradox
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel... read full definition
Key Examples in Blood Meridian
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—God Speaks Through Stone?:
After exploring a mine, the Judge makes the paradoxical assertion that God speaks through inanimate objects:
The judge smiled. Books lie, he said. God dont lie. No, said the judge. He does not. And these are his words. He held up a chunk of rock. He speaks in stones and trees, the bones of things. The squatters in their rags nodded among themselves... and this the judge encouraged until they were right proselytes of the new order whereupon he laughed at them for fools.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Cursing and Singing:
Glanton's army discovers and then leaves behind a few survivors of an Apache attack, one of whom is injured and engages in a paradoxical cursing and praising of God:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Within the doorless cuartel the man who’d been shot sang church hymns and cursed God alternately.
Related Themes:
Chapter 17
Explanation and Analysis—Mystery and Irony:
The Judge makes a paradoxical claim about mystery and people's desire to be told mysteries as he orates around a fire, which the ex-priest Tobin rightfully notices is ironic:
Unlock with LitCharts A+There is no mystery to it, he said.... Your heart’s desire is to be told some mystery. The mystery is that there is no mystery. He rose and moved away into the darkness beyond the fire. Aye, said the expriest watching, his pipe cold in his teeth. And no mystery. As if he were no mystery himself, the bloody old hoodwinker.
Related Themes:
