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Oxymorons
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
Book 2: Of Their Towns, Particularly of Amaurote
Explanation and Analysis—Utopian Names:
Many of the names of Utopian towns and landmarks are oxymoronic, including the word "utopia" itself. Utopia is a country, yet the word utopia comes from the Greek meaning "no place." Utopia does not exist: it is a country, but its very name declares that it is imaginary. Similarly, "Anyder"—the name of the river in Utopia—closely translates to "no water," also from Greek. Raphael describes this river in Book Two:
"The Anyder rises in a small spring eighty miles above Amaurot, but other streams flow into it, two of them quite large, so that by the time it passes the city it is half a mile across."
Related Themes:
