Definition of Ambiguity

Ambiguity is when the meaning of a word, sentence or phrase is not clearly explained. There is a chance it can have more than one meaning. (The ambi- part of the term reflects an idea of “two”, as in “two meanings”.)

Explanation of Ambiguity

Ambiguity can be termed as an expression or state which can be recognized in several ways. These range from ambiguous sentences to ambiguous scenarios or reasoning. Often it is not appreciated because precision is valued over ambiguity in terms of writing. However, to add humor to the text, ambiguity is used intentionally. 

Ambiguous declarations often lead to vagueness and misunderstanding which shapes the foundation for instances of unintended humor.

Usage of Ambiguity

Ambiguity in literature is used to give the literary work a profound meaning. With the use of ambiguity, writers give readers the freedom to use their imagination to discover the meanings between the lines in a script. This deep involvement of the readers gives them the liberty to actually be the part of the prose or poetry they are reading.

The nature of ambiguous writing is to have more than one meaning which is why it is often compared with vagueness. Ambiguity refers to something having several achievable meanings, whereas vagueness is generally lack of clearness. 

Context plays an important role in undertaking ambiguity. For instance, a portion of the material may be ambiguous in one area and unambiguous in another.

Examples of Ambiguity in Literature

 

  • Lines from The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

 

“I ran to the main door, then waited a second until I caught my breath. I have no wind, if you want to know the truth. I am a heavy smoker, for one thing, that is to say that I was. They made me cut it. Another thing, I grew six and a half inches last year. This is also how I practically got the tb. and came here for all these checks and all that. I’m pretty healthy.”

In the above excerpt “they” and “here” are the example of ambiguous words. The reader can only assume from the context that “they” might be the experts helping Holden. And “here” might be a rehabilitation center. 

 

  • Lines from The sick Rose by William Blake

 

“O Rose thou art sick.

The invisible worm,

That flies in the night

In the howling storm:

Has found out thy bed

Of crimson joy;

And his dark secret love

Does thy life destroy”

This poem is full of ambiguities. One cannot be certain about the meaning of “bed of crimson”. Nor is the interpretation of “dark secret love” clear. Such phrases give readers the liberty to analyze the poem thoroughly.

 

  • Lines from Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats 

 

“Thou still unravish’d bride of quietness…”

 The use of the word “still” is not clear. Here, it can mean “an unmoving object,” or it may be taken as “yet untouched.”

 

  • Lines from The Awakening by Kate Chopin

 

Exhaustion was pressing upon and overpowering her. 

“Good-by—because I love you.” He did not know; he did not understand. He would never understand. Perhaps Doctor Mandelet would have understood if she had seen him—but it was too late; the shore was far behind her, and her strength was gone.

In the above passage, the main character, Edna dies by the end of the story. The reader is unsure whether she has intentionally committed suicide or accidentally got drowned in the waves. Chopin maintained the ambiguity for the readers to formulate their own assumptions.