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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
Book 2, Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Constrained and Careless:
In this passage, Dickens describes James Harthouse’s impression of Louisa upon meeting her for the first time. Dickens uses a number of oxymorons to express how difficult it is for Harthouse to read her:
[Louisa] was so constrained, and yet so careless; so reserved, and yet so watchful; so cold and so proud, and yet so sensitively ashamed of her husband’s braggart humility [...]
Related Themes:
