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Motifs
Definition of Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth... read full definition
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal... read full definition
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to... read full definition
Part 1
Explanation and Analysis—The Mechanical Hound:
The name of the Mechanical Hound is an oxymoron: a mechanical thing is a man-made machine, whereas a hound is a biological creature. The Mechanical Hound occupies a liminal space between the animal and the mechanical, and fittingly, it is often described with paradoxes. For instance, this passage from Part 1 describes it as follows:
The Mechanical Hound slept but did not sleep, lived but did not live in its gently humming, gently vibrating, softly illuminated kennel back in a dark corner of the firehouse.
Part 3
Explanation and Analysis—The Mechanical Hound:
The name of the Mechanical Hound is an oxymoron: a mechanical thing is a man-made machine, whereas a hound is a biological creature. The Mechanical Hound occupies a liminal space between the animal and the mechanical, and fittingly, it is often described with paradoxes. For instance, this passage from Part 1 describes it as follows:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The Mechanical Hound slept but did not sleep, lived but did not live in its gently humming, gently vibrating, softly illuminated kennel back in a dark corner of the firehouse.
