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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 Midnight’s Children
Book 1: A Public Announcement
Explanation and Analysis—Pretty Terror:
Saleem describes Zohra's reaction to Lafifa Das, a Hindu man that Amina Aziz saved from a crowd of angry Muslim people outside of her apartment. Zohra reacts to Lafifa Das with reticence verging on terror, which Saleem describes using an oxymoron:
It seemed that his experience had drained him not only of liquid but also sweetness, because he put four spoonfuls of raw sugar into every glass, while Zohra cowered in pretty terror on a sofa.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Indian Disease:
Saleem uses the motif of infectious diseases to refer to many different ideas, concepts, and movements throughout Midnight's Children. One example of this motif occurs in Book 1, Section 5—A Public Announcement:
Unlock with LitCharts A+But this was Delhi, and Lifafa Das had altered his cry accordingly. ‘See the whole world, come see everything!’ [. . .] (I am suddenly reminded of Nadir Khan’s friend the painter: is this an Indian disease, this urge to encapsulate the whole of reality? Worse: am I infected too?).
Related Themes:
