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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
Chapter 18
Explanation and Analysis—Alive and Dead:
In the closing playhouse scene, O'Farrell crystallizes the paradox at the heart of Hamnet: that death can give rise to a kind of life. As Agnes watches the performance of Hamlet, she recognizes both her son and not her son in the actor before her. O'Farrell writes, "It is him. It is not him." The simple repetition and contradiction compress Agnes's entire emotional revelation into one impossible truth: her child is gone, yet living again through art.
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