Question
DUMBY: She doesn't really love you then?
LORD DARLINGTON: No, she does not
DUMBY: I congratulate you, my dear fellow. In this world there are only two tragedies.
One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. The last is much the
worst; the last is a real tragedy! But I am interested to hear she does not love you. How
long could you love a woman who didn't love you, cecil?
From Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan
What is the effect of the paradox on the passage's meaning or tone?
It highlights the contrast between getting what you
want and not getting what you want.
It underscores the negative consequences of
choosing partners who don't reciprocate one's
feelings.
It suggests that getting what you want can actually
be more troublesome than not getting what you
want.
Answer
The paradox creates a tone of irony and emphasizes the difficulty of choosing a partner who does not reciprocate one's feelings, highlighting the contrast between getting what one wants and not getting what one wants.