Emotion in Poetry: Oxymoron

Oxymoron isn't a way to contact anybody a name. In reality, oxymoron is the poetic device which means the use of contradictory terms (with each other) for impact. A Handbook to Literature states that etymologically the word implies "pointedly foolish," that it brings collectively two contradictory terms that contrast to produce sharp emphasis. Examples consist of cheerful pessimist, sensible fool, sad joy, eloquent silence, living death, bittersweet, burning cold, glad mourning.

As with any poetic device, 1 can use it to add to the imagery of a poem. With a bit of preparing, the imagery produced by oxymoron can improve the emotion, as well.

Let's examine how an oxymoron can heighten the emotion of a poem. We could create the following line of poetry: The lady, so racked with discomfort, could not create a sound. Rather drab is not it? Where's the emotion required to produce the reader "really feel" her discomfort?

Let's see what can occur with an oxymoron with the identical concept:

The discomfort left her absolutely nothing but silent screams

As it twisted her body with endless agony.

If you noticed, the very first line too had alliteration in the oxymoron, silent screams.

I truly employed a variation of silent screams in a poem.

Cry for Aid

Dreary, drab day pressing in on me

till really like gray, gloomy clouds filled

to saturation, my tears overflow.

I silently scream for Assistance

That in no way appears to come.

A tiny ray of sunshine would lift

the load of sorrow that threatens

to swamp my sorrowing soul.

Oh, for the storm to element sufficient

to let that ray shine on me.

Aid me, please Assistance me withstand

this heavy, bloated burden

pressing on my weary thoughts.

Please give me relief that

only You have ever brought.

Wrap me in Your comfort,

wrap me in Your enjoy

till I can stand and watch

the sunrise break the day

with joy and thanksgiving once far more.

copyright 2005 by Vivian Gilbert Zabel

Oxymoron, the use of contradictory terms for impact, can strengthen and boost your writing. If made use of sparingly and appropriately, the device can add imagery to writing and Enable the emotional impact.

Vivian Gilbert Zabel taught English, composition, and inventive writing for twenty-5 years, honing her expertise as she studied and taught. She is a author on Writers (http://www.Writing.Com/), and her portfolio is http://www.Writing.Com/authors/vzabel. Her books, Hidden Lies and Other Stories and Walking the Earth, can be identified by means of Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com.