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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 In the Time of the Butterflies
Epilogue: Dedé, 1994
Explanation and Analysis—Blind When He Could See:
In the Epilogue, Dedé explains that she will not attend receptions honoring her sisters if the current president (and former puppet president when Trujillo was running the government from behind the scenes) is in attendance. In doing s, she uses an apparent paradox:
I mean our current president who was the puppet president the day the girls were killed. “Ay, Dedé,” acquaintances will sometimes try to convince me. “Put that behind you. He’s an old, blind man now.” “He was blind when he could see,” I’ll snap.
Related Themes:
