Steinbeck is showing that the American culture is one large paradox. We strive for greatness and think that we are the greatest country on the earth, but we complain about how our country is weak and dishonest.
It doesn't. In fact, the US is a prime example of the paradox's main idea.
Zeno
One excerpt from Elie Wiesel's speech that embodies the idea of paradox is, "We must never forget, after all, that we are only human. And yet, we must strive to be divine." This statement captures the paradox of the human condition - the struggle to reconcile our flawed humanity with our longing for higher moral and spiritual ideals.
The paradox in Sonnet 55 by William Shakespeare is the idea that the poem itself can defy time and preserve the memory of the beloved for eternity, despite the inevitable decay caused by time. This paradox highlights the power of art and poetry to transcend temporal limitations.
An example of a paradox is the statement "less is more," which seems contradictory at first glance. This paradoxical phrase conveys the idea that simplicity can often be more effective or powerful than complexity.
She got the idea of vampires from a dream
Her eyes were too earnest to be earnest.
Zeno
A paradox is a statement that seems contradictory or self-defeating but may express a truth. An example of a paradox is the quote "The only constant is change," which highlights the idea that change is inevitable and always present, even though it may seem contradictory at first glance.
Surprisingly, she actually came up with the idea from a dream she had. The dream she had was the part where Bella and Edward were in the meadow.
The answer is to google it
Supposedly in a dream. :)