Inversion: A Literary Device

Etymology of Inversion

The word “inversion” has its etymological roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word “inversio,” which is the past participle of the verb “invertere.” “Invertere” is a compound of two Latin words:

1. “In” (or “in-” as a prefix): This prefix typically denotes negation or reversal.
2. “vertere”: This is the Latin verb for “to turn” or “to change.”

When these elements are combined, “invertere” literally means “to turn or change in a reversed or opposite manner.”

In English, it refers to the act of reversing the normal order or arrangement of something.

In the context of language and grammar, it pertains to altering the typical word order for stylistic, rhetorical, or grammatical purposes.

Meanings of Inversion

Aspect	Meanings
Reversed Order	It refers to the reversal or change in the normal order or arrangement of something, such as words in a sentence or the sequence of events.
Linguistic Inversion	In grammar and syntax, it is the practice of altering the typical word order in a sentence for stylistic or rhetorical purposes.
Atmospheric Inversion	In meteorology, atmospheric inversion describes a situation where temperature increases with altitude, contrary to the normal decrease, leading to environmental effects.
Musical Inversion	In music theory, it refers to reversing the order of musical intervals in a chord or melody.
Inversion in Geology	Geologically, it refers to the process of reversing the order of rock layers through tectonic forces, resulting in older rocks over younger ones.
Inversion in Chemistry	In chemistry, it often relates to reactions where an optically active compound undergoes a change in its stereochemistry.
Inversion in Psychology	In psychology, inversion can describe a reversal or change in emotions, attitudes, or behaviors, often seen in conditions like depression or bipolar disorder.
Economic Inversion	In economics, it can refer to foreign direct investment or the shift of a company’s headquarters to a lower-tax jurisdiction.
Societal Inversion	In a broader context, it can describe a societal or cultural shift where norms, values, or power structures are reversed or changed.
Mathematical Inversion	In mathematics, inversion may refer to the process of finding an inverse function or operation, often denoted as the opposite or reverse of a given mathematical operation.

Definition of Inversion

In literature, inversion is a rhetorical and syntactical device that involves the reversal of the conventional word order in a sentence.

This deliberate alteration is employed for stylistic or emphatic purposes, allowing writers to create unique and attention-grabbing sentence structures.

It often enhances the impact of a statement, highlights specific elements, or contributes to the overall tone and style of a literary work.

Types of Inversions

1. Syntactical: Reversal of the standard word order in a sentence for emphasis or unique sentence structure, such as “Into the darkness they ventured.”
2. Role Reversal: Characters or elements undergo changes in roles or characteristics, symbolizing shifts in the narrative or theme.
3. Moral : Characters’ moral values or behaviors undergo transformation, resulting in ethical inversions.
4. Irony: Inversion of expectations or outcomes, including verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony.
5. Parody and Satire: Involves its elements from serious works for humorous or critical effects.
6. Reversal of Fortune: Characters experience a dramatic change in circumstances, often leading to unexpected outcomes.
7. Inversion in Literary Critique: Subversion or challenging conventional interpretations of a text in literary theory and criticism.
8. Metaphorical: Use of metaphors that create an inversion of literal meaning, encouraging a new perspective.
9. Narrative: Use of non-linear or inverted narrative structures, presenting events out of chronological order.

Common Examples of Inversions

1. Climbing a Mountain: As you ascend a mountain, the altitude increases, which is an inversion of the usual downward direction of travel.
2. Temperature Inversion: In meteorology, a temperature inversion occurs when the air temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing, leading to weather phenomena like fog and smog.
3. Handshakes: A handshake involves an inversion of physical gestures where two individuals reach out and clasp each other’s hands, symbolizing a greeting or agreement.
4. Mathematical Inversions: In arithmetic, finding the reciprocal of a number or inverting a fraction (e.g., 1/2 becomes 2/1) is a common mathematical inversion.
5. Inverted Commas: In punctuation, the use of quotation marks or inverted commas around a word or phrase indicates a change in the usual meaning, often signaling sarcasm, irony, or emphasis.
6. Backmasking in Music: Some songs include backward-recorded messages or sounds, a form of musical inversion that is sometimes controversial and believed to convey hidden meanings.
7. Surrealist Art: Surrealist artists often employ visual inversions by depicting everyday objects or scenes in unusual or dreamlike ways, challenging the viewer’s perception.
8. Yoga Poses: In yoga, it involve turning the body upside down, such as headstands or shoulder stands, which offer physical and mental benefits.
9. Inverted Pendulum: In physics and engineering, an inverted pendulum is a system where the pendulum is balanced in an inverted position, requiring careful control to maintain stability.
10. Investment Strategies: In finance, it refers to strategies where a company relocates its headquarters to a jurisdiction with lower taxes, often for financial advantages.

Suggested Readings

1. Dunn, Sara. “Inversions: Writings by Dykes, Queers and Lesbians.” (1994): 106-108.
2. Lasnik, Howard. “On the semantics of negation.” Contemporary Research in Philosophical Logic and Linguistic Semantics: Proceedings of a Conference Held at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 1975.
3. Riffaterre, M. Text Production. Columbia University Press, 1988.
4. Rosenwasser, D., and Stephen, J. Writing Analytically. Cengage Learning, 2015.
5. Van Dijk, T. A. Discourse and Literature: New Approaches to the Analysis of Literary Genres. John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1985.