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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
Oxymorons
Explanation and Analysis—Blackmail Conversation:
In the conversation in which Louisa Mebbin threatens to expose Mrs. Packletide for lying about killing the tiger, the narrator uses both an oxymoron and a simile, as seen in the following passage:
“How amused every one would be if they knew what really happened,” said Louisa Mebbin a few days after the ball.
“What do you mean?” asked Mrs Packletide quickly.
“How you shot the goat and frightened the tiger to death,” said Miss Mebbin, with her disagreeably pleasant laugh.
“No one would believe it,” said Mrs Packletide, her face changing colour as rapidly as though it were going through a book of patterns before post-time.
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