THE 3 TYPES OF THE 3 TYPES OF

IRONYIRONYIRONYIRONY

A A A A A A A A LessonLessonLessonLessonLessonLessonLessonLesson in Ironyin Ironyin Ironyin Ironyin Ironyin Ironyin Ironyin Irony

IronyIrony applies to situations applies to situations where there is a gap or where there is a gap or

disconnect between what is disconnect between what is expected and what actually expected and what actually expected and what actually expected and what actually happens. It can also be an happens. It can also be an implied discrepancy, or gap, implied discrepancy, or gap, between what is said and between what is said and

what is meant. what is meant.

Dramatic IronyDramatic IronyDramatic IronyDramatic IronyDramatic IronyDramatic IronyDramatic IronyDramatic Irony

Dramatic Irony occurs when the Dramatic Irony occurs when the

audience’s or reader’s knowledge of audience’s or reader’s knowledge of

events surpasses that of the events surpasses that of the

characters. The words and actions, characters. The words and actions,

therefore, take on a different meaning therefore, take on a different meaning

for the audience/ reader than for the for the audience/ reader than for the

characters.characters.

Examples of Dramatic Examples of Dramatic

IronyIrony

��When watching a horror movie, When watching a horror movie,

we see the villain creep up we see the villain creep up

behind the young girl, but she behind the young girl, but she behind the young girl, but she behind the young girl, but she

doesn’t know he’s there.doesn’t know he’s there.

�� In In Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet, we know , we know

the characters are fated to die, the characters are fated to die,

but they do not.but they do not.

Situational IronySituational IronySituational IronySituational IronySituational IronySituational IronySituational IronySituational Irony

Situational Irony Situational Irony occurs occurs

when a discrepancy when a discrepancy

between the expected and between the expected and

the actual state of affairs; a the actual state of affairs; a the actual state of affairs; a the actual state of affairs; a

contradictory or badlycontradictory or badly--timed timed

outcome of events as if in outcome of events as if in

mockery of the fitness of mockery of the fitness of

things. Simply, the things. Simply, the

unexpected happens.unexpected happens.

Examples of Situational Examples of Situational

IronyIrony

�� A firefighter’s house burns downA firefighter’s house burns down

�� Stories with a surprise ending, such as Stories with a surprise ending, such as

the homicide detective ends up being the the homicide detective ends up being the the homicide detective ends up being the the homicide detective ends up being the

murderer, or the necklace is fake!murderer, or the necklace is fake!

�� A homeless man wins the lottery, then A homeless man wins the lottery, then

gets killed by a semigets killed by a semi--truck the next day. truck the next day.

Verbal IronyVerbal IronyVerbal IronyVerbal IronyVerbal IronyVerbal IronyVerbal IronyVerbal Irony

The use of words to express The use of words to express

something other than (and something other than (and

especially the opposite of) the especially the opposite of) the

literal meaning. Especially the literal meaning. Especially the

humorous use of praise to imply humorous use of praise to imply

condemnation or contempt.condemnation or contempt.

Examples of Verbal IronyExamples of Verbal Irony

�� A few examples:A few examples:

�� “That information is as clear as “That information is as clear as

mud.” (Obviously not clear at mud.” (Obviously not clear at mud.” (Obviously not clear at mud.” (Obviously not clear at

all!)all!)

�� “That situation was as pleasant “That situation was as pleasant

as a root canal.” (Obviously as a root canal.” (Obviously notnot

pleasant!)pleasant!)

Let’s ReviewLet’s ReviewLet’s ReviewLet’s ReviewLet’s ReviewLet’s ReviewLet’s ReviewLet’s Review--------What is Irony?What is Irony?What is Irony?What is Irony?What is Irony?What is Irony?What is Irony?What is Irony?

Irony is an implied discrepancy, or gap, between Irony is an implied discrepancy, or gap, between

what is said and what is meant. Also applies to what is said and what is meant. Also applies to

situations where there is a gap between what situations where there is a gap between what

is expected and what actually happens.is expected and what actually happens.