Passage 130 · 1895
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
Main effectThrough copulative universal claim, adverbial negation hierarchy, conditional hypothetical, elliptical parallel, and exclamatory conclusion, Wilde creates syntax of paradoxical wit—grammar that inverts conventional morality through epigrammatic compression and theatrical flourish.
Device index
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Tropes
Exaggeration.
Seeming contradiction.
No words highlightedSchemes
Balanced opposition.
Similar grammatical structures.
Syntax
"The truth is"—definite article with copula. Syntax makes universal claim about truth's nature.
"rarely pure and never simple"—two adverbs modifying adjectives, one negative, one absolute. Syntax creates hierarchy of impossibility.
"would be very tedious if it were either"—conditional mood with subjunctive "were." Syntax creates hypothetical contrary to fact.
"either"—pronoun referring back to pure/simple. Syntax economically combines two qualities.
"and modern literature a complete impossibility"—elliptical construction omitting "would be." Syntax creates epigrammatic compression.
"complete impossibility"—adjective intensifying absolute noun. Syntax performs rhetorical excess.
Final exclamation mark. Syntax performs theatrical delivery of epigram.
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Copulative Declaration
"The truth is"—definite article with copula. Syntax makes universal claim about truth's nature.
Adverbial Negation
"rarely pure and never simple"—two adverbs modifying adjectives, one negative, one absolute. Syntax creates hierarchy of impossibility.
Conditional Subjunctive
"would be very tedious if it were either"—conditional mood with subjunctive "were." Syntax creates hypothetical contrary to fact.
Demonstrative Pronoun
"either"—pronoun referring back to pure/simple. Syntax economically combines two qualities.
Elliptical Parallel
"and modern literature a complete impossibility"—elliptical construction omitting "would be." Syntax creates epigrammatic compression.
Adjectival Intensification
"complete impossibility"—adjective intensifying absolute noun. Syntax performs rhetorical excess.
Exclamatory Conclusion
Final exclamation mark. Syntax performs theatrical delivery of epigram.
Stylistic Effect
Through copulative universal claim, adverbial negation hierarchy, conditional hypothetical, elliptical parallel, and exclamatory conclusion, Wilde creates syntax of paradoxical wit—grammar that inverts conventional morality through epigrammatic compression and theatrical flourish.