I was extremely frustrated after not getting the role I wanted in the school play, but I knew I would get little sympathy from my parents. So, when I came home from school, rather than having a heart-to-heart conversation with them, I went to my room and let out a silent scream. In 1–2 paragraphs, explain how would you interpret the oxymoron the author includes in the paragraph. What is the role of the oxymoron? Support your ideas with evidence from the paragraph.

1 answer

The oxymoron "silent scream" in the paragraph illustrates the complex emotions the author is experiencing following their disappointment in not being cast in the school play. The juxtaposition of "silent" and "scream" captures the internal struggle of feeling intense frustration and sadness while also lacking the external expression of those feelings. It signifies a moment where the character's emotions are so overwhelming that they cannot find a voice to articulate them, reinforcing the theme of isolation in one's emotional experience. The choice to retreat to the room rather than seek solace from parents suggests a sense of being misunderstood, where the author feels the need to suppress their feelings since they anticipate little empathy.

Furthermore, the oxymoron enhances the depth of the character's emotional turmoil. The "silent scream" implies that the frustration is not just about the role itself but also about the broader feeling of not being heard or validated. The author’s decision to express their emotions in private—through a “silent scream”—highlights a common struggle among adolescents dealing with disappointment, indicating that sometimes, the most profound feelings can be too difficult to articulate, leading to an internalized response. This encapsulates the essence of the character's plight: the feeling of being unheard in a moment where they desperately crave understanding and sympathy.