Intro to Poetry

Paradox establishes as an art of juxtaposing contradictory ideas and manifests as an indispensable prospect in poetry by challenging conventional thinking and providing a template for idealizing profound insights. Grounded on Emily Dickinson’s statement, “the truth must dazzle gradually”, the poet encapsulates the essence of paradox in poetry and consequently manipulates paradox to dispense the essence of truth unfolding within prolonged timelines (Dickinson). Accordingly, this essay delves into the intricate prospects of paradox in poetry and its role in justifying the germaneness of diverse contexts illuminated by poets in different spectrums. A key function of paradox in poetry evinces by challenging societal norms as justified in the poem, "Isn’t nobody's business if I Do" by Langston Hughes; Hughes, a poet who has stood the test of time from the Harlem Renaissance, manipulates paradox to confront societal norms, explicate themes of individuality and personal freedom, and the title ain't nobody's business if I do establishes a paradoxical statement that challenges the notion of conformity. As important, the poem by Langston Hughes invites readers to question the suffocating influence of social expectations and celebrate the freedom to express one's true self by embracing paradox to encourage individuals to justify their autonomy and disregard external judgment (Hughes). As such, through the gradual revelation of the truth of an individual's capacity to stay autonomous, Langston Hughes manipulates paradox to facilitate a deep appreciation of personal agency and the rejection of oppressive norms.