Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumFigurative Language and Tropes

Read the literary extract below:

"The old general looked upon the ruined city and welcomed the surrender with a mournful pleasure."

Which figure of speech is demonstrated in the phrase "mournful pleasure"?

  1. OxymoronAnswer
  2. B
    Paradox
  3. C
    Metaphor
  4. D
    Dramatic Irony

Answer

Oxymoron is the correct figure of speech because two contrasting words ('mournful' and 'pleasure') are juxtaposed directly beside each other.
The phrase places two contradictory adjectives and nouns—'mournful' and 'pleasure'—directly together. Juxtaposing two words of opposing meaning to express a complex emotion is the precise definition of an oxymoron.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the constituent words of the target phrase
The phrase consists of two words with opposing emotional meanings: 'mournful' (sad/sorrowful) and 'pleasure' (joyful/satisfying).
Identifying word-level juxtaposition is essential for recognizing figures of speech based on contrast.
2
Distinguish between word-level contrast and statement-level contrast
The contrast occurs directly between two contiguous words, making it an oxymoron rather than a broader paradox.
An oxymoron relies on two contradictory words placed side-by-side, while a paradox involves a whole clause or sentence.

Key Concept

Oxymoron vs. Paradox in Literary Tropes
Estimated Time:50s
Rate this question

Topics

Figurative Language and Tropes

More questions from this topic