Final answer:
The phrase suggests ambiguity in the twin's fate, implying a mystical or supernatural element, where the twin may have died physically but continues to exist in a different sense. This use of contradictory statements is common in literature to evoke a certain atmosphere or to symbolically represent the enduring influence of a character.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the left-handed twin "died, and he didn't die" is indicative of a common trope in literature that deals with ambiguity and the concept of life-and-death. This could refer to a physical death but also to a metaphorical or spiritual survival, a duality that invites various interpretations depending on the context in the story. The contradiction serves to create a mystical or eerie sense, which is a characteristic of certain genres, especially those involving gothic or supernatural elements. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," a strong connection between twins allows for ambiguity regarding their deaths. Alternatively, in myths or oral traditions, such a statement could symbolize the enduring nature of a character's influence or presence, even after physical death.