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What is antithetic parallelism?

1) A literary device where the same thought is expressed in both lines but from two opposite perspectives
2) A type of parallelism used in mathematics
3) A technique used in painting
4) A form of parallel structure in grammar

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Antithetic parallelism is a literary device used to express a concept and its direct opposite in successive lines, using the same grammatical structure for contrast and emphasis. The correct option is 1) A literary device where the same thought is expressed in both lines but from two opposite perspectives

Step-by-step explanation:

Antithetic parallelism is a literary device where a concept or thought expressed in a line of text is juxtaposed with its direct opposite in a subsequent line, reflecting a significant contrast in the same grammatical structure.

This device is a form of parallel structure that is typically used in poetry and prose to create a strong dichotomy between two ideas, enhancing the reader's understanding and adding dramatic effect to the writing. An example can be seen in the classic opposites of 'light' and 'dark.'

These could be used in antithetic parallelism as in the following lines: 'The light of truth shines brightly, illuminating our path, whereas the darkness of deception lurks, obscuring the way.'

Moreover, this technique is similar to other rhetorical devices such as chiasmus, wherein the order of terms in parallel clauses is reversed to make a larger point or highlight a contrast.

However, chiasmus focuses on reversing the grammatical structure itself, whereas antithetic parallelism concentrates on contrasting the messages within a similar structure. The correct option is 1) A literary device where the same thought is expressed in both lines but from two opposite perspectives

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