Where there is a duality the whole is not elemental.
It was a time they are describing, that was striking by it's
contrasts, expressed with many metaphors. Seemingly
diametrically opposed, events.
While one thing positive was happening, something negative was happening in another area. Like a day. It was the brightest of days, but the darkest of nights. so I could confuse you with the word, "day" by changing it to, "it was the lightest of days, it was the darkest of days."
Once you realize the language makes no particular logical sense, it's sense must be in it's general expression.
Like a poem. Poems can make no sense, so the art of the poem is in it's expression IMHO.
Example:
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us
"We" could mean group A and group B.
In a season there can be light and dark. In a year there can be spring and winter. In an age there can be foolishness and wisdom.
Whether it is an area of space or a passage of time, there is room for all, so there is no genuine contradiction, only stark contrasts.
EXAMPLE: My football is black, my football is white.
Yes - because 50% is painted white and 50% is painted black.
Edited by mike the wiz, : No reason given.