The definition of irony as a literary device is a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. For example, the difference between what something appears to mean versus its literal meaning.

What is irony in literature and example?

Verbal irony occurs when a speaker's intention is the opposite of what he or she is saying. For example, a character stepping out into a hurricane and saying, “What nice weather we're having!” ... Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows a key piece of information that a character in a play, movie or novel does not.

What is irony in literature simple definition?

In simplest terms, irony occurs in literature AND in life whenever a person says something or does something that departs from what they (or we) expect them to say or do. Just as there are countless ways of misunderstanding the world [sorry kids], there are many different kinds of irony.

What is an example of a irony?

For example, two friends coming to a party in the same dress is a coincidence. But two friends coming to the party in the same dress after promising not to wear that dress would be situational irony — you'd expect them to come in other clothes, but they did the opposite. It's the last thing you expect.

How is irony used in literature?

Irony is a multi-faceted literary device that a writer uses to point out the discrepancy between reality and how things appear or what was expected. When a writer uses irony in a work, there is incongruity in regards to the behavior of characters, the words that they say, or the events that take place.

What is Personification?

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What are the 3 types of irony in literature?

What Are the Main Types of Irony?

• Dramatic irony. Also known as tragic irony, this is when a writer lets their reader know something that a character does not. ...
• Comic irony. This is when irony is used to comedic effect—such as in satire. ...
• Situational irony. ...
• Verbal irony.

What is irony in a poem?

As a literary device, irony implies a distance between what is said and what is meant. Based on the context, the reader is able to see the implied meaning in spite of the contradiction.

What is an ironic statement?

An ironic remark conveys a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. So, in an ironic statement one thing is said, while another thing is meant.

What are the 10 examples of irony?

What are the 10 examples of irony?

• A fire station burns down.
• A marriage counselor files for divorce.
• The police station gets robbed.
• A post on Facebook complains about how useless Facebook is.
• A traffic cop gets his license suspended because of unpaid parking tickets.
• A pilot has a fear of heights.

What is dramatic irony literature?

dramatic irony, a literary device by which the audience's or reader's understanding of events or individuals in a work surpasses that of its characters. ... In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, for example, the audience knows that Oedipus's acts are tragic mistakes long before he recognizes his own errors.

Is irony the same as ironic?

As adjectives the difference between irony and ironic

is that irony is of or pertaining to the metal iron while ironic is characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.

Why is it called irony?

The term irony has its roots in the Greek comic character Eiron, a clever underdog who by his wit repeatedly triumphs over the boastful character Alazon. ... It derives from the Latin ironia and ultimately from the Greek εἰρωνεία eirōneía, meaning 'dissimulation, ignorance purposely affected'.

What is the irony in 1984?

The party maintains control with the ironic use of doublethink: the ability to think two completely contradictory thoughts at the same time, believing both to be true. The irony in 1984 by George Orwell is embodied in the party's slogan: War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength.

Why is verbal irony used in literature?

Verbal irony can be used for various reasons. It can be used to be funny, to expose discrepancies of facts, to make fun of something and to create a point of view. Many famous authors, such as William Shakespeare, Robert Frost and Jonathon Swift, have used verbal irony in their works.

What's an example of irony in the book?

For example, in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, we the readers know that Juliet has taken a sleeping potion to fake her death, but this is unbeknownst to Romeo, who believes she is really dead and proceeds to actually kill himself. Dramatic irony fills readers with anticipation and heightens their interest.

What is Shakespearean irony?

Shakespeare is one of the prevailing masters of irony – he uses dramatic, situational, and verbal irony in such a way that few others have been able to replicate. Truly, when one talks about irony, if they do not talk about Shakespeare, it is a crime against literature.

Who is considered an ironist?

a person who uses irony habitually, especially a writer.

What is an example of ironic in a sentence?

Examples of ironic in a Sentence

She has an ironic sense of humor. It's ironic that computers break down so often, since they're meant to save people time. It is ironic that the robber's car crashed into a police station.

What is symbolism in literature?

Symbolism is the idea that things represent other things. What we mean by that is that we can look at something — let's say, the color red — and conclude that it represents not the color red itself but something beyond it: for example, passion, or love, or devotion.

What is oxymoron in literature?

oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature.

What's the difference between irony and satire?

Irony is a figure of speech that portrays the contrary of the truth about something through the careful play of words and wit. Satire is a literary form, or genre, that is commonly used through the use of graphic arts, or in the form of a performance.

What are all the different types of irony?

There are 3 different types of irony: dramatic, verbal, and situational.

Which is an example of irony from The Great Gatsby?

In perhaps one of the great ironies of the novel, Daisy kills Myrtle when Myrtle runs in front of Gatsby's car. It is a hit and run. The irony is that the wife kills her husband's mistress without knowing that it's his mistress. This irony leads the novel toward the conclusion.

Why are the ministries in 1984 Ironic?

They are ironic because these ministries "produce" the opposite of what you would think they would. The Ministry of Love is devoted to punishing people in terrible ways for minor things (as Winston is tortured for his crimes). The Ministry of Plenty causes (or presides over) poverty.

How is 1984 a political satire?

Through his literature, George Orwell demonstrates political satire by exaggerating the flaws of a totalitarianism government. ... Therefore, 1984 uses political satire to point out all the flaws of a totalitarianism government which revolve around the absence of freedom.