Mirror Image

MEER-ore IM-edge

An elegant device that states the reverse of a phrase, clause, or sentence. Called chiasmus (key-ASS-mus) and antimetabole (anti-met-AH-bo-lee) by rhetoricians, the Mirror Image lets you state a paradox or argue against a point by flipping it over.

What’s Hecuba to him or he to Hecuba, that he should weep for her? Hamlet

What am I to beans, or beans to me? Walden

We're prepared to place our trust in the people to reshape the government. Our liberal friends place their trust in the government to reshape the people. Newt Gingrich

Each increase of tension has produced an increase of arms; each increase of arms has produced an increase of tension. John F. Kennedy