Yes, terms like ‘joy that kills’ and ‘monstrous joy’ can indeed be considered oxymorons. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. In these phrases, the inherent contradiction creates a striking effect.
When we think about ‘joy that kills’, it seems paradoxical because joy is typically associated with positive feelings, happiness, and life, while ‘kills’ suggests an end, often related to negativity or death. This juxtaposition highlights the complexity of emotions and how they can sometimes lead to harmful outcomes, such as in the case of overwhelming happiness that leads to neglect or harm.
Similarly, ‘monstrous joy’ mixes the idea of ‘monstrous’, which has connotations of horror or something unnatural, with ‘joy’, a universally positive feeling. This contrasts the innocence usually associated with joy against something abnormal or even grotesque. It evokes the idea that joy can come from dark or unexpected sources, reflecting on the duality of human emotion.
In literature and art, such constructs enhance the depth of the narrative and invite readers to explore these contradictions. Therefore, both phrases serve as powerful examples of how language can evoke a broader understanding of complex emotions.