Question

Is this antithesis?

"...like rain, except its not raining..."

"Like a radio or something, but its not a radio..."

"...all very civilized, except this isn't civilization."

examples taken from The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Answer 1

http://www.answers.com/topic/antithesis

I suppose. But they'd be more recognizable if actual words were used instead of just "not ... "

civilized -- rude, ill-mannered, impolite

rain -- drought