Analyzing Literary Text: Dramatic Irony

Question 1

In a classic horror movie, the audience knows that the killer is lurking in the hall while the unsuspecting babysitter munches popcorn and watches television in the dark living room. This dramatic irony does what?

Answer 1

The tension builds for the audience as the killer inches ever closer to the intended victim.

Question 2

What is Dramtic irony?

Answer 2

when the reader knows something that the characters do not know

Question 3

When does Dramatic irony occur?

Answer 3

Dramatic irony occurs whenever the audience or readers know something about events or characters that one or more characters do not know.

Question 4

What is dramtic irony about?

Answer 4

Dramatic irony is about differing points of view. By choosing to provide readers with information that is withheld from one or more characters, authors create two different points of view on events or characters in a story. The readers have a more inclusive point of view, so they can anticipate outcomes

Question 5

What does dramatic irony have to do with point of view?

Answer 5

Dramatic irony exists when readers have a different point of view than one or more of the characters.

Question 6

Did you ever watch a movie or television show where you knew something the characters didn’t? Maybe you knew where the bad characters were hiding out, but the good characters didn’t.

Answer 6

You probably became very tense as you watched because you thought the good characters would walk right into a trap. This is one way authors can create suspense.

Question 7

What is suspense?

Answer 7

a literary device used to create the feeling of anticipation that something dangerous or risky is about to happen

Question 8

What is humor?

Answer 8

a literary device used to amuse and entertain readers or audiences

Question 9

Cueing the audience into things characters don’t know can also be a way to add what?

Answer 9

Humor

Question 10

Dramatic irony is a useful plot device because it increases what?

Answer 10

the emotional impact of a work by generating feelings of fear, curiosity, anticipation, amusement, or empathy in the audience and helps sustain their interest.

Question 11

What is irony?

Answer 11

a contrast between reality and how things appear; Irony refers to any instance in which there is a difference between reality and expectations or appearances.

Question 12

What is verbal irony?

Answer 12

a literary device in which what is said differs from what is meant

Question 13

When we think of irony in literature, we often focus on what?

Answer 13

verbal irony

Question 14

When does verbal irony occur?

Answer 14

Verbal irony occurs when a character’s intended meaning does not match the literal meaning of the words the character uses.

Question 15

What is an example of verbal irony?

Answer 15

For example, a character might say, “What an absolutely lovely day!” when it is pouring rain.

Question 16

What is sarcasam?

Answer 16

a type of verbal irony meant to mock someone or something or show contempt

Question 17

Sarcasm is one of the primary forms of ….

Answer 17

verbal irony

Question 18

In what way does dramatic irony difer from verbal irony?

Answer 18

Unlike verbal irony, which relies on a character’s specific words and tone, dramatic irony relies on the narrative structure of the story since it is based on the differing points of view between readers and characters. In this narrative technique, readers know things that one or more characters do not know.

Question 19

What is situational irony?

Answer 19

a literary device in which an outcome is opposite or completely different from what is expected

Question 20

Author use situational irony to heigthen …..

Answer 20

Authors also use situational irony to heighten interest, add humor or depth and meaning, deliver moral messages, or create surprise endings. Situational irony occurs when something happens in an unexpected story.