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Definition of Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth... read full definition
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal... read full definition
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to... read full definition
1922
Explanation and Analysis—Fat, Thin, Old, Young:
At Chicken Little’s funeral in 1922, the townspeople of Bottom sit and ponder the tragedy of the dead child. As they reflect on their own lives, Morrison uses oxymoron to universalize the community’s experience of time within their town:
They saw the Lamb's eye and the truly innocent victim: themselves. They acknowledged the innocent child hiding in the corner of their hearts, holding a sugar-and-butter sandwich. That one. The one who lodged deep in their fat, thin, old, young skin, and was the one the world had hurt.
Morrison’s use of oxymoron here— “fat, thin, old, young”—combines images of adulthood and childhood, supporting the notion that each person at Chicken Little’s funeral holds an innocent child “in the corner of their hearts.” Morrison implies that, regardless of a person’s physical age or appearance, each fosters an innocence or tenderness that is hurt by the cruelty of the world. Chicken Little’s drowning is a perfect example of this cruelty—not only did he die through no fault of his own, but his body was recovered slowly and carelessly by a racist white bargeman.
The careless manner in which Chicken Little’s body was handled serves as a reminder to the people of Bottom of how powerless and vulnerable they can become in the face of racism. The image of the “innocent child” that resides in the hearts of people across age and appearance encourages the reader to empathize with the pain of the community of Bottom.
Related Themes:
