Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 19 AIL 1834 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Inverted Proverb
Captions available
The idea
The anchor's study guide observes that Wilde's characters make a witty line by standing a familiar proverb on its head. Marriages are said to be made in heaven; divorces are not. The device depends entirely on the audience holding the original.
In practice
A proverb, stood on its head.
Where people slip
The audience must hold the original.
Your place on the trail
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