Roopa Banerjee
“Working hard, or hardly working?”
Such reversal of words is known as chiasmus. A popular literary device, it has been used for centuries in literature, speeches, and pop culture to capture readers’ attention, stimulate reflection, and leave a lasting impact.
In the realm of literary devices, chiasmus stands out as a beautifully symmetrical and thought-provoking figure of speech that adds depth and flair to fiction writing. Derived from the Greek word khiásmos, meaning ‘crosswise arrangement’, chiasmus involves reversal of the order of words or phrases in parallel clauses to create a mirror-image effect. This mirror effect is key to identifying chiasmus.
In ancient Greece, chiasmus was used to describe a rhetorical or literary figure of speech characterised by a crosswise arrangement of elements. The word itself is derived from the Greek letter ‘chi’ (Χ), which resembles the English letter ‘X’. This symbolism reflects the way chiasmus works, creating a crisscross pattern of words or ideas in a sentence or phrase.
A prominent example of chiasmus is the famous line of former US President John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. The words ‘ask’ and ‘country’ are mirrored in reverse order in the second part of the sentence. This chiasmus adds symmetry and elegance to the statement and encourages citizens to consider their role in contributing to nation building.
In fiction writing, chiasmus plays a balancing act of words and ideas. For instance, the sentence “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” by William Shakespeare in Macbeth. The reversal of ‘fair’ and ‘foul’ emphasises the moral confusion and inversion of values in the play. Shakespeare frequently used chiasmus in his writing to convey complex themes.
“Don’t let school interfere with your education” is a witty chiasmus of American novelist Mark Twain which humorously challenges the conventional notion of learning within the structured environment of a school. It urges individuals to seek knowledge beyond formal education.
“You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy” is another clever way of using chiasmus.
In the world of fiction writing, chiasmus serves as a versatile literary device to enhance storytelling. Authors use chiasmus to give depth to their characters’ speech and dialogues. A character who frequently uses chiasmus might come across as more reflective, philosophical, and poetic.
Chiasmus helps emphasise key themes, ideas, and emotions in a narrative. More important, it creates memorable and impactful dialogues between characters by adding a layer of complexity and depth to their conversations.
Chiasmus is a delicate balancing act of words and ideas, and its power lies in its ability to challenge readers’ expectations. It serves as a reminder that language is not merely conveyance of information but a tool for artistic expression. When used effectively, chiasmus leads to a deeper understanding of the text and its underlying themes.
As words crisscross and mirror each other, chiasmus becomes a reflection of the complexities and depths of human thought and expression. It is a reminder that literature, at its core, is an art form where the arrangement of words matters just as much as the words themselves.
Exercise
Here are five books which generously use chiasmus. Name their authors.
1 Animal Farm
2. The Great Gatsby
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Hamlet
5. The Importance of Being Earnest
Authors
1. George Orwell
2. F. Scott Fitzgerland
3. Jane Austen
4. William Shakespeare
5. Oscar Wilde
Also read: Teaching literature in classrooms