Paralipsis

//__Paralipsis__//

**Definition::** Paralipsis involves suggesting, by deliberately concise treatment, that much of significance is omitted. **Random Examples:** //I will speak only about his good side.// //This is not really about how much it will cost.// //Not to mention her family, of course.//



 * When we say little about something that obviously deserves more, we leave the unsaid things hanging in the air for all to know. In this way we can avoid embarrassing or difficult discussion in we might be challenged.
 * In saying that we will not talk about something, we have to mention that thing, thus drawing attention to it.
 * Paralipsis is also spelled as Paraleipsis//.//
 * It comes from Greek //paraleipein// ‘to leave on one side’, ‘to omit’, which itself comes from //para// ‘beside’ and //leipein// ‘to leave’

(www.changingminds.org)


 * Examples** from text:

The Book of Grosteque, Hands This story focuses on Wing Biddlebaum's hands and what implications they have had in his life. This quote draws attention to the mysteriousness of Wing's hands that leads to an explanation and back story.

"With a shiver of dread the boy arose and went along the road toward town. “I'll not ask him about his hands,” he thought, touched by the memory of the terror he had seen in the man's eyes. “There's something wrong, but I don't want to know what it is. His hands have something to do with his fear of me and of everyone.”

Effects of Despair, Marquis de Sade

"As for Granwel, there is no need to paint his rage in words: it may be all too easily imagined."

The author after stating that there is no need to state his anger lets the reader imagine the madness and rage building up. After the sentence, Marquis de Sade goes on to describe Granwel's rage and anger afterwards, which puts more emphasis on the situation.

Kelli Holland