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Difficulty: MediumFigurative Language and Tropes

Complete the following literary analysis statement by identifying the figure of speech exemplified in the excerpt.

Answer:In the line 'She was not unmindful of their immense suffering', the figure of speech that uses double negation to achieve an understated affirmative expression is 【litotes】.

Answer

litotes
The expression 'not unmindful' relies on a double negative to affirm strongly, yet subtly, that the person was indeed mindful. This stylistic use of deliberate understatement via negation is known as litotes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the linguistic construction of the phrase 'not unmindful'.
The phrase couples the negative particle 'not' with the negative prefix of 'unmindful'.
Identifying the use of negation is critical to determining the specific trope being employed.
2
Determine the intended meaning of the expression.
The double negative affirms that 'she was mindful', but expresses it with intentional understatement.
Expressing an affirmative statement by negating its opposite is the defining feature of this device.
3
Match the device to its formal literary classification.
The trope is litotes.
Litotes is specifically defined as ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary.

Key Concept

Litotes
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Figurative Language and Tropes

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