IRONY
The difference between what we expect
to happen and what actually happens
There are 3 types of Irony:
Situational irony
Dramatic irony
Verbal irony
Situational Irony
The difference between what a reader or character expects
and what actually exists or happens
Layman’s Terms: Events turn out differently than expected
Ex. You win a million dollars and then tomorrow you end
up dying.
Ex. You finally remember to bring a pencil to class for the
first time all year; your teacher does everything hands on
today and you don’t need to use it.
Ex. Mrs. Merriman was told that she was having a baby
girl. She gets little Tori’s room all ready for the day she
arrives. Upon delivery, the doctor tells her she really had a
boy.
Dramatic Irony
The reader or viewer knows something that the character in the
story does not know.
Layman’s terms: when the audience knows more than the
character
Ex. In horror movies, the bad guy is behind the door waiting to
kill the unsuspecting teen (we can see him, but she can’t)
Ex. When you are watching a movie and the music gets scary.
You know something is going to happen but the character in the
movie has no idea.
Ex. Your friend laughs at you and tells you that you forgot to
take the price tag off of your jeans. After taking off the tag, you
notice that as your friend walks away, s/he has a price sticker
on the rear of his/her jeans.
Verbal Irony
When someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing
and means another
Layman’s terms: say one thing, mean another
Ex. Your mom asks if you like her new hot pink leather
pants. You tell her she looks great in them (even though
they make her look hideous).
Ex. Your best friend gets a new haircut and asks you what
you think of it. You tell her it is a flattering cut even though
her bangs hide her entire face and she looks like a fur ball.
Ex. As you walk into math class, you cry, “This is my lucky
day!” when you discover that you not only forgot your lunch
money but you also forgot about your math test.
Irony is Everywhere!
We use irony all the time…
When you are sarcastic with your friends, you
are using verbal irony.
When you watch tv shows and you know what is
going to happen, you are watching irony.
When you expect something to happen and then
something different occurs, that is ironic.
How is the following passage ironic?
Snubbed by his supposed friends after losing all
his money, the former millionaire said, “Now I
know how loyal and faithful my friends were.”
Key word/s indicating irony?
Reason this is ironic?
How is the following passage ironic?
“King Edward’s new policy of peace was very
successful and culminated the Great War to End
War. [It was followed by] the Peace to End
Peace.” –W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman, 1066
and All That
Key word/s indicating irony?
Reason for this being ironic?
How is the following passage ironic?
He took castles and towns; he cut short limbs and lives;
He made orphans and widows of children and wives;
This course many years he triumphantly ran,
And did mischief enough to be called a great man.
- “Lines from Crochet Castle”by Thomas Love Peacock
Key word/s indicating irony?
Reason for this being ironic?