Question

What literary term stands out in the following lines from "True ease in writing comes from Art, not chance"? Define it.

a) The literary term in these lines is an aphorism, which is a concise statement that conveys a general truth or moral principle.
b) The literary term in these lines is a simile, as it makes a direct comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."
c) The literary term in these lines is an allegory, a narrative with a hidden moral message.
d) The literary term in these lines is a paradox, a statement that appears self-contradictory but reveals a deeper truth.

Answer 1

The literary term in the provided lines is an aphorism, which is a brief statement expressing a general truth or principle, distinct from an allegory, simile, or paradox.

Step-by-step explanation:

The literary term that stands out in the lines from "True ease in writing comes from Art, not chance" is an aphorism. An aphorism is a concise statement designed to convey a general truth or principle. This type of statement often embodies a quick, understandable wisdom that is easily remembered and sometimes used as a guiding principle in life or art.

In contrast to an allegory, which is a narrative with a hidden moral message, or a simile, which compares two unlike things using "like" or "as," an aphorism does not imply a comparison or a narrative but rather stands alone as an observation or principle.

Moreover, it is not a paradox, which is a statement that appears self-contradictory but in reality reveals a deeper truth. The aphorism in the given lines suggests that writing with ease and grace is the result of careful craft and learned skill, rather than mere luck or happenstance.