What is a potential effect of a paradox in writing?

Question

whats an example of a paradox and how would it be used in writing?

Answer 1

You go back and time and shoot your other self before you go back in time. Pinocchio says his nose is about to grow. It could destroy the universe, or potentially the universe could edit itself by stopping the cause before it can cause the paradox. (eg an assassin tries to kill you before you can shoot your other self, but you don't know why before it's too late.)

Answer 2

1984 by George Orwell contains a prime example of a paradox. This isn't much help if you haven't read or are not familiar with the work, but the dominant regime's mantra contains three conflicting statements. The definition of a 'paradox' is a statement that at first appears false but contains some truth.

These are the lines in the book:

"war is peace

freedom is slavery

ignorance is strength."

In the story, circumstances are such that in the war between three evenly matched superpowers, there is peace. The nations do not want to fight without the prospect of gain, so they build and bide their time. You'll have to read the book to get the other two. It really is a great novel.

Answer 3

Hi! We are studying Macbeth in school and one of he main themes is that things are not always as they seem which is shown through paradoxes!

The main one we studied was "fair is foul and foul is fair"

Hope that helps ya.

  Katie