What is irony in literature?
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition, don’t worry—it is.
What is sarcasm in the form of irony?
It can sometimes take the form of verbal irony. For instance, if you were to say to someone who had just cut you in line, “What a polite, civilized person you are!” that would be sarcasm in the form of irony, since your meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of your words.
What is an example of situational irony in Harry Potter?
Situational irony is often present in many layers. Throughout the seventh book of the Harry Potter series, readers follow Harry on his quest to find and destroy Voldemort’s six horcruxes. At the end of the novel, we find out that there is a seventh horcrux: Harry.
What is an example of dramatic 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.
Four Types of Irony + Examples Irony is the contrast between how things seem and how they are. 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.
What does it mean to be ironic?
In the last twenty years or so, the term “ironic” has become popular to describe an attitude of detachment or subversive humor, like that of someone who wears a Christmas sweater as a joke.
What is the difference between verbal irony and dramatic irony?
Verbal irony is the most common form of irony. In fact it is so common that when people mention “irony,” they often are actually referring to verbal irony. Dramatic irony Is a plot device that highlights the difference between a character’s understanding of a given situation, and that of the audience.
What is the difference between Socratic irony and tragic irony?
The other refers to dramatic irony or tragic irony—an incongruity between the situation in a drama and the words used by the characters that only the audience can see. Socratic irony is a tool used in debating; dramatic irony is what happens when the audience realizes that Romeo and Juliet’s plans will go awry.
How do storytellers use irony?
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):
How does verbal irony work?
Broadly speaking, verbal irony works by either understating or overstating the gravity of the situation. 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.
What is the meaning of tragic irony?
2 : a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems to be the opposite of what you expected It was a tragic irony that he made himself sick by worrying so much about his health. The (awful/bitter) irony is that in trying to forget her, he thought of her even more.