Antimetabole: A Rhetorical Device

Etymology of Antimetabole

The term “antimetabole” originates from the Greek word “antimetabole,” which means “to turn about” or “to reverse.”

In rhetoric, antimetabole refers to a rhetorical device in which words or phrases are repeated in reverse order to create a persuasive or memorable effect in a sentence or phrase.

Meaning of Antimetabole

Antimetabole is a rhetorical device characterized by the repetition of words or phrases in reverse order to create emphasis and rhetorical impact. It is commonly used to achieve the following:

1. Emphasis: Antimetabole places emphasis on key ideas or words by repeating them in a reversed manner, making them stand out to the audience.
2. Balance: It creates a sense of balance and symmetry in a sentence or phrase, which can make it more aesthetically pleasing and memorable.
3. Persuasion: Antimetabole can be a powerful tool in persuasion, as it reinforces an argument or point by presenting it from different angles.
4. Rhetorical Flourish: Speakers and writers use antimetabole to add flair to their communication, making it more engaging and compelling.
5. Memorability: Due to its distinctive structure, antimetabole often makes phrases more memorable, making it a valuable device in speeches, advertising, and literature.

Definition of Literary Device of Antimetabole

Antimetabole is a rhetorical literary device defined by the repetition of words or phrases in reverse order within successive clauses or sentences. Its primary functions are to emphasize key points, establish balance and symmetry in the text, and enhance both memorability and rhetorical impact. This technique finds frequent application in literature, speeches, and persuasive writing as a means to engage audiences and effectively convey ideas.

Common Features of an Antimetabole

Feature	Explanation	Example
Repetition in Reverse	Antimetabole involves repeating words or phrases with a reversal in their order.	“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” – Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Emphasis	It emphasizes a point or idea by presenting it in a way that highlights its significance.	“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
Balance and Symmetry	Antimetabole often creates balance and symmetry in a sentence, making it more aesthetically appealing.	“I meant what I said and I said what I meant.” – Dr. Seuss
Rhetorical Flourish	This device adds rhetorical flair to the language, enhancing engagement and persuasion.	“In victory, magnanimity; in defeat, defiance.” – Winston Churchill
Clarity and Repetition	Antimetabole enhances clarity by repeating and reversing key elements.	“All for one, and one for all.” – Alexandre Dumas
Versatility	It can be applied in various forms and contexts, making it adaptable for different communication types.	“You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.” – Unknown
Memorability	Antimetabole’s distinctive structure makes phrases more memorable to the audience.	“Eat to live, not live to eat.” – Socrates

Types of Antimetaboles

Type	Definition	Example
Word Antimetabole	The most basic form where individual words are repeated in reverse order.	“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Phrase Antimetabole	Involves repeating entire phrases or clauses in reverse order.	“I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, ‘cause Band-Aid’s stuck on me.”
Part of Speech Antimetabole	Words of different parts of speech (e.g., nouns and verbs) are repeated and reversed.	“You like it; it likes you.”
Grammatical Antimetabole	Reverses the grammatical structure of a sentence while maintaining the same words.	“She walks the dog, and the dog walks her.”
Sequential Antimetabole	Involves repeating a sequence of words or phrases in reverse order.	“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Double Antimetabole	A more complex type where two sets of words or phrases are repeated in reverse order within the same sentence or passage.	“We succeed when we fail to fail.”
Chiasmus	Often closely related to antimetabole, it reverses the structure within a sentence or phrase without exact word repetition.	“Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.”

Common Examples of Antimetaboles

1. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
2. “I meant what I said and I said what I meant.”
3. “You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.”
4. “In America, you can always find a party. In Soviet Russia, the Party can always find you!”
5. “We shape our buildings, and afterward, our buildings shape us.” – Winston Churchill

Suggested Readings

1. Fahnestock, Jeanne. Rhetorical Figures in Science. Oxford University Press, 1999.
2. Golden, James L., et al. The Rhetoric of Western Thought. 10th ed., Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2019.
3. Lausberg, Heinrich. Handbook of Literary Rhetoric: A Foundation for Literary Study. Brill, 1998.
4. Perelman, Chaim, and L. Olbrechts-Tyteca. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
5. Ward, Gregory A. Statistical Rhetorical Analysis: A Rhetoric of Medicine. University of South Carolina Press, 2019.