Where does the term irony come from in literature?
The term comes from the Latin word ironia, meaning “feigned ignorance.” Storytellers of all stripes use irony as a literary device to create tension, humor, or as the central conceit in a plot. To help you make heads or tails of this literary technique, this article will dig into three common types of irony (plus one uncommon one):
Which is an example of an ironic understatement?
As you might expect, an ironic understatement creates contrast by undermining the impact of something, though the thing itself will be rather substantial or severe. Example: In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield casually says, “I have to have this operation.
How is irony related to the idea of cosmic irony?
Situational irony is closely related to the idea of cosmic irony, where the universe seemingly contrives an event for its own amusement. For example, when the “unsinkable” HMS Titanic met an untimely end on its maiden voyage. To clarify: “the irony of events” is not the same as “coincidence” and “bad luck” (apologies to Alanis Morrisette).
Is the word irony synonymous with bad luck?
Irony is not synonymous with sarcasm, coincidence, or bad luck. While these concepts can have ironic characteristics, they’re not interchangeable. More on that later. Irony creates contrast between how things seem and how they really are beneath the surface.
Which is an example of situational irony in literature?
An event in a work of literature can be said to be an example of situational irony if the outcome of a series of actions turns out markedly differently than expected—a paradoxical or perverse outcome, rather than simply a surprising or interesting one. This form, too, can overlap with dramatic irony.
Which is the best example of dramatic irony?
Dramatic Irony Example: The Hobbit. Dramatic irony need not underline the entire storyline of a novel, it can also be used briefly to add punch to specific scenes. The Hobbit contains a perfect example of this when Bilbo happens upon the ring while lost in a mountain.
When is irony the same as coincidence and bad luck?
Situational irony. When the truth contradicts an expected outcome, it’s situational irony — also known as “the irony of events.” Again, just to clarify, irony is not the same as “coincidence” and “bad luck.”. If you buy a new car and then accidentally drive it into a tree, that is both coincidence and bad luck.
What makes a situational irony different from a dramatic irony?
The element that makes them different is time. With situational irony, we learn at the same time as the characters that our expectations were different than reality. With dramatic irony, we know in advance that the character’s expectations are not the reality of the situation.
Which is an obstacle to a simple definition of irony?
The principal obstacle in the way of a simple definition of irony is the fact that irony is not a simple phenomenon. . . . We have now presented, as basic features for all irony, (iii) the comic effect of this unawareness of a contrasting appearance and reality.
Which is an example of irony in Shakespeare?
In dramatic irony, the characters are oblivious of the situation, but the audience is not. For example, in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, we know well before the characters that they are going to die. In real life circumstances, irony may be comical, bitter, or sometimes unbearably offensive.
Which is the best definition of hominisation?
Lumley-Woodyear, Henry de (1999), “Hominides et hominisation ,” in Edgar Morin (ed.), Relier les connaissances. Paulo Freire (1985) called this revolutionary process of waking up conscientization, while Teilhard de Chardin called it hominisation vital to the larger transformations of society; this capacity to reflect, to think, to use our minds.
Which is the best definition of situational irony?
Situational irony involves a striking reversal of what is expected or intended: a person sidesteps a pothole to avoid injury and in doing so steps into another pothole and injures themselves.
How does the pretense theory of irony work?
In being ironic, the theory goes, a speaker is pretending to be an injudicious person speaking to an uninitiated audience; the speaker intends the addressees of the irony to discover the pretense and thereby see his or her attitude toward the speaker, the audience, and the utterance.
Which is an example of irony in Harry Potter?
This unexpected twist also comes with the ironic realization that Harry must sacrifice himself for Voldemort to die. So he willingly goes to meet Voldemort — and his own death. But when Voldemort uses the killing curse on Harry, it has the opposite of his desired effect.
When does Jonathan Swift use the word irony?
The use of words to mean something very different from what they appear on the surface to mean. Jonathan Swift uses irony in “ A Modest Proposal ” when he suggests the eating of babies as a solution to overpopulation and starvation in Ireland.
How is irony used in situational and dramatic irony?
In situational irony, both the characters and the audience are fully unaware of the implications of the real situation. In dramatic irony, the characters are oblivious of the situation, but the audience is not.
Which is an example of irony in The Hobbit?
Dramatic Irony Example: The Hobbit. The Hobbit contains a perfect example of this when Bilbo happens upon the ring while lost in a mountain. He puts it in his pocket and soon after encounters Gollum. At this point, readers are aware of the significance of the ring and of its importance to Gollum.
What are the symptoms of intestinal cestodiasis?
It is possibly the most common cestode found in humans, affecting chiefly children. Symptoms of intestinal cestodiasis include abdominal pain that may be relieved by eating and that may be associated with distention, flatulence, and nausea.
How is irony used as a stylistic device?
Often irony is used to suggest the stark contrast of the literal meaning being put forth. Irony spices up a literary work by adding unexpected twists and revealing a deeper layer of significance. Not by the words themselves, but by the situation and the context in which they are placed.
How is irony used in the everyday world?
Irony is a literary technique and rhetoric device that has been used for many years in speech, art and even everyday life. In the ordinary use of language, Pocket Fowler ‘s Modern English Usage describes irony as ‘an expression of meaning by use of words that have an opposite literal meaning or tendency’.
Who was the founder of Fiskars ironworks?
Little by little the power was amassed by Emil Lindsay von Julin and the limited company Fiskars was founded. 1915 Fiskars was listed at Helsinki Stock Exchange. The productivity of the ironworks was raised by developing improved methods of processing steel and by renewing the rolling mill at Åminnefors.
Which is an example of a verbal irony?
Irony Examples From Literary Classics. Verbal Irony: “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. A prime example of verbal irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” is when an unsuspecting Fortunato is being led to his death by his former acquaintance, Montresor.
How is irony used as a rhetorical device?
[T]echnically, irony is a rhetorical device used to convey a meaning sharply different from or even opposite of the literal text. It’s not just saying one thing while meaning another–that’s what Bill Clinton does. No, it’s more like a wink or running joke among people in the know.