Which pair of lines from Emily Dickinson’s “Because I could not stop for Death” is an example of paradox? Because I could not stop for Death
by Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –

Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and Chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –

We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – but a Mound –

Since then – ‘tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses’ Heads
Were toward Eternity –

Because I could not stop for Death –

He kindly stopped for me –

and

Children strove

At Recess – in the Ring –

Explanation:

In the first stanza, the idea that death "kindly" stops for the narrator when she could not stop for it is paradoxical, because if she couldn't stop, that implies she didn't want to, yet she finds kindness in Death's unwanted overture.

It may seem paradoxical to say that children "strove" at recess "in the Ring" because it sounds as if they are fighting, not playing, which is the purpose of recess.

d.) then bernice winced as marjorie tossed her own hair over her shoulders and began to twist it slowly into two long blond braids until in her cream-colored negligée she looked like a delicate painting of some saxon princess. fascinated, bernice watched the braids grow. heavy and luxurious they were, moving under the supple fingers like restive snakes—and to bernice remained this relic and the curling iron and a to-morrow full of eyes.

a.) it provides a clue to solve the mystery.