This question is based on �Literary Appreciation.'My heart leaps up when I behold A rain in the sky:So was it when my life began;or Let me die!The Child is ...

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The expression "The child is the father of the man" in the poem is an example of a "paradox." A paradox is a statement or situation that appears to be self-contradictory or contrary to common sense but, on closer inspection, reveals some degree of truth or validity. In the context of the poem, the speaker expresses his joy and admiration for the beauty of nature, which he has experienced since childhood. He then makes the paradoxical statement that "the child is the father of the man," suggesting that the innocence and purity of childhood can shape and influence a person's character throughout their life. The statement appears contradictory at first glance, but it holds a deeper meaning that highlights the importance of childhood experiences in shaping an individual's identity. Therefore, the expression "The child is the father of the man" in the poem is an example of a paradox.