Eunhae Han’s Reviews > The Lab: Experiments in Writing Across Genre > Status Update

A literary paradox occurs when the author plays with words or concepts that appear contradictory at first glance. As readers delve deeper, they discover complexities that challenge their perspective, encouraging them to explore hidden layers of meaning within a text. Too often, writers of carly drafts do not think of the opportunities to imbue the emotion of their work with paradox.

We have a sense of community, of sympathy, a cleansing sympathy, as Aristotle said, and a relief that we are safe in our room only reading the story. A story of sadness, even tragedy, makes us feel, paradoxically, better, as though we are confronting our own conflicts and fears, and have endured.

We know she is making it up; nothing has really happened to her. But we understand, because there is hardly one of us who has not been moved at some time to do just what she has done, and every time, it has taken all our strength, and even the strength of our friends and families too, to quiet us.