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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
Key Examples in Jasper Jones
Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Factitious:
At the end of Chapter 2, Charlie remembers a time when Jeffrey encouraged him to be more confident and creative in his storytelling. In the memory, Jeffrey introduces an oxymoron that turns into an important motif in the novel:
Conviction, Charles. You could do with some. Look at Dickens! He got away with murder! And don’t get me started on Cheeses Christ and all that zombie resurrection bollocks. Now, there’s a twist ending that’s hard to sell. He’s dead, he’s dead—no, wait, who is that crawling out from behind that rock? Noooo, it couldn’t be! Oops, wait—yes! He’s alive! Hello, Zombie Cheeses! He’s back!”
“Sir, with respect, that seems a little cynical.”
“It’s not cynical if it’s factitious.”
“Factitious? That makes no sense. It’s not even a word.”
Related Themes:
