What literary device consists of an expression where two contradictory words are joined together?

The correct answer is oxymoron, which is a literary device that involves the juxtaposition of contradictory terms in a way that reveals a deeper truth or a unique perspective. By combining opposite or contradictory words, oxymorons create a striking effect and emphasize the complexity of an idea or emotion. Common examples include phrases like "deafening silence" or "bittersweet," where the contradictory elements highlight an oxymoron's ability to convey nuanced meanings.

Understanding oxymorons enriches the analysis of literature because they often reflect the multifaceted nature of human experience—combining contradictions helps express themes, emotions, or states of being that are not easily captured through traditional language.

Other choices, while related to contrast or contradiction in literature, do not specifically refer to the joining of two contradictory words. Antithesis involves contrasting ideas but is presented in a more balanced structure rather than a combination of single opposing words. Paradox, similar to oxymoron, contains contradictory elements as well, but it typically consists of a broader statement that seems self-contradictory yet reveals a truth upon reflection. Metonymy is a figure of speech in which something is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it, rather than involving