When Culler discusses the “paradox of literature,” he emphasizes that literature does not adhere to traditional conventions, but rather steps outside its own parameters, and that this paradox is what makes literature so valuable as an art form. The process of deepening writing generates criticism and thoughts that try to discover the true meaning of what the author is trying to convey. In the author’s opinion, the paradox of literature can be investigated, studied and also felt and experienced in its conclusion. Rita Dove creates a sense of paradox throughout her poem “Parsley”, which portrays “parsley” as a symbol of life (sprigs of parsley were used in men capes during the Haitian community’s births), but if the word was mispronounced, it was associated with death (the “General” immediately ordered the death of a Haitian who mispronounced the word parsley).  Death and love are two words that have a deep meaning that can greatly influence how a person feels and behaves. While the “General” shows his deep love for his mother in this poem, which would show him to be a compassionate individual, the number of innocent people he murdered would make him appear cruel and unfeeling.