OXYMORON AND ANAPHORA IN JEAN WEBSTER’S
DADDY-LONG-LEGS
Oxymoron
There are a few phrases that contradict themselves in the novel. Those are called oxymorons.
By using them, the author creates unique phrases. Opposite words in such phrases can also
emphasize one another.
The very first sentence of the novel starts with an oxymoron: “The first Wednesday in every
month was a Perfectly Awful Day.”
Perfectly and awful contradict one another but also, they’re used in a way that perfectly
emphasizes awful, making it explicitly clear just how terrible every first Wednesday in every
month is for Judy.
Example 2: “I am awfully glad, Daddy, because now I won't be such a burden to you.”
Here, awfully glad highlights how delighted Judy is that she won’t burden Daddy-Long-Legs
anymore. She’s become independent; therefore, she will no longer need Mr. Smith’s financial
support.
Example 3: “That nice new coat is perfectly ruined.”
Perfectly and ruined are put together to get across how completely drenched Jervis’ coat was.
DADDY-LONG-LEGS
Oxymoron
There are a few phrases that contradict themselves in the novel. Those are called oxymorons.
By using them, the author creates unique phrases. Opposite words in such phrases can also
emphasize one another.
The very first sentence of the novel starts with an oxymoron: “The first Wednesday in every
month was a Perfectly Awful Day.”
Perfectly and awful contradict one another but also, they’re used in a way that perfectly
emphasizes awful, making it explicitly clear just how terrible every first Wednesday in every
month is for Judy.
Example 2: “I am awfully glad, Daddy, because now I won't be such a burden to you.”
Here, awfully glad highlights how delighted Judy is that she won’t burden Daddy-Long-Legs
anymore. She’s become independent; therefore, she will no longer need Mr. Smith’s financial
support.
Example 3: “That nice new coat is perfectly ruined.”
Perfectly and ruined are put together to get across how completely drenched Jervis’ coat was.
