Unit 6 Lesson 6: Irony, Sarcasm, and Paradox Flashcards
dramatic irony
in a work of fiction or drama, a contrast between a character’s expectations and the audience’s or reader’s knowledge
situational irony
a situation whose outcome is different from what would normally be expected
irony
a literary technique that shows a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, or between the way things seem to be in contrast to the way they really are
verbal irony
the use of language that states the opposite of what is actually meant
What does irony involve
Irony, in literature and real life, involves a disparity between expectations and reality.
What s the key to all 3 kinda of irony
The key to all three is the gap between what’s expected (by us or by a fictional character) and what actually happens.
In literature, irony plays a range of different roles:
- Often, irony is used for humorous effect, pointing out the folly or ridiculousness of a person or situation.
- In some literary texts, irony shows the sadness or tragedy of a situation.
- An author may use irony to teach a practical or moral lesson.
- Irony can reveal personality traits or motivations of characters.
- Irony can also underscore the themes of a literary work by causing the reader to investigate their own expectations. When a story doesn’t turn out as we expect, it can make us stop and ask, “Just what were we expecting, and why?”
What is irony an effective tool
Irony is an effective tool because it develops a reader’s interest, provokes a strong emotional response, and encourages readers to pry beneath the surface to find a true meaning.
According to the video, what do all three types of irony have in common?
In the video, the students explain that irony has to do with opposites. In verbal irony, a person says the opposite of what they mean, and in situational irony, the outcome is the opposite of what’s expected. Dramatic irony also involves opposites in the sense that a character expects their actions to have one result, while the audience or reader knows the opposite will happen.
What are some reasons that authors use dramatic irony in a literary text?
rony has multiple purposes. In addition to creating humorous situations, dramatic irony can create tension or suspense—the audience or reader wants to know how the character comes to know the truth. Dramatic irony can make readers and audiences engage with a story more fully because they are reading, or watching, to see how things turn out.
tone
the author’s attitude toward a subject
SArcasm vs verbal irony
Sarcasm is a kind of verbal irony, and the distinction has to do with why and how that irony is used. Specifically, sarcasm is verbal irony used to mock, ridicule, or criticize someone or something. The underlying tone of sarcasm sets it apart from verbal irony because it is usually expressed with more hostility to show a character’s feelings of contempt, frustration, or anger in a veiled way.
Often, sarcasm in literature provides clues to a character’s personality, state of mind, or relationship to others. Elaborate
Sometimes, the tone of sarcasm is subtle and less critical. For example, friends in a story might make fun of each other with sarcastic banter in a way that actually shows affection rather than contempt. Self-deprecating characters use sarcasm to mock or criticize their own actions, or to laugh off misfortunes in a way that lets them save face. For instance, if the person in the opening example of the failed cake who commented “Nailed it!” were referring to their own creation, it could show that they have a resilient sense of humor about the kitchen mishap. Sarcasm also provides a clue to social status—a boss, a team captain, or an elder sibling might use sarcasm to reinforce who’s in charge.
A broader use of sarcasm is to set the mood or reveal the author’s attitude toward a subject, but the exact effect depends on the context in which it’s used. Elbaortw
. Sometimes, the use of sarcasm can lighten things up and create humor, especially if the narrator or speaker is poking fun at their own mistakes. However, sarcasm can also create a tense atmosphere in a story when it is used to show a character’s annoyance or frustration with a situation, or their contempt or dislike for someone else. Sarcasm needs to be analyzed in context; it’s a tool with many different uses.
