T1 E4 Unit 6: Language & Style (Part 1)

​More Paradox Examples: Songs and Movies

Hotel California by the Eagles. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
The paradox: A person's ability to leave (check out) is contradicted by their inability to escape (never leave).

This song describes living the "good life," including addiction, greed, and materialism. Once you get used to it, you can try to give up this lifestyle, but its effects can haunt you forever.

Blank Space by Taylor Swift. Baby I'm a nightmare, dressed like a daydream
The paradox: The speaker presents herself as both something terrible (a nightmare) and something wonderful (a daydream).

This describes a person who seems lovely on the surface but can cause emotional chaos in a relationship, showing that appearances can be deceiving. 

Back to the Future:
The paradox: Marty McFly travels to the past and accidentally prevents his parents from meeting and falling in love. This jeopardizes his own existence, as seen by his siblings fading from a photograph.
The Terminator (1984):
The paradox: John Connor sends his father, Kyle Reese, back in time to protect his mother, Sarah.
In doing so, Reese falls in love with and impregnates Sarah, becoming John's father.