What is the definition of irony in literature?

What is the definition of irony in literature?

Definition of irony. 1a : the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning.

What is the irony of the victims of separatism?

And the irony is obvious: those who once had been the victims of separatism, who had sacrificed so dearly to overcome their being at the margins, would later create an ethos of their own separatism.

What are the functions of dramatic irony in movies?

Functions of Dramatic Irony. To create feelings of fear or suspense. In his tips on mastering tension, Alfred Hitchcock explains how the use of suspense can engage audiences by describing two scenes: In the first, four people are sitting at a table, talking about baseball when a bomb explodes.

What is the irony of human intelligence?

The great irony of human intelligence is that the only species on Earth capable of reason, complex-problem solving, long-term planning and consciousness understands so little about the organ that makes it all possible—the brain.

Is irony a figure of speech?

In rhetoric, it is a figure of speech and in semiotics, a kind of double sign ( see double coding). Understatement and overstatement can also be ironic. Irony is a characteristic stylistic feature of postmodernism.

What is an example of irony in the gift of Magi?

One of the most famous examples of irony in literature comes from The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. In this story, a newly married couple decides independently to sacrifice and sell what means most to themselves in order to purchase a Christmas gift for the other.

What is the difference between verbal and dramatic irony?

Verbal irony sets forth a contrast between what is literally said and what is actually meant. In dramatic irony, the state of the action or what is happening as far as what the reader or viewer knows is the reverse of what the players or characters suppose it to be.

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.

What is the meaning of ironicc?

c : an ironic expression or utterance. 2a(1) : incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result. (2) : an event or result marked by such incongruity.

What is the irony in the love scene between Kat and Patrick?

The audience knows that Kat will eventually discover the truth. The deception will wound her, and Patrick will (justifiably) lose her trust. This dramatic irony gives the scenes where they fall in love a bittersweet edge, making us sympathize with both characters. Click to tweet!

What is the meaning of cosmic irony?

The word irony refers to the limits of human meaning; we do not see the effects of what we do, the outcomes of our actions, or the forces that exceed our choices. Such irony is cosmic irony, or the irony of fate.

What are the three dimensions of irony?

Irony can refer to (1) individual figures of speech (ironia verbi); (2) particular ways of interpreting life (ironia vitae); and (3) existence in its entirety (ironia entis). The three dimensions of irony–trope, figure, and universal paradigm–can be understood as rhetorical, existential, and ontological.

What is the meaning of cummerbund?

English Language Learners Definition of cummerbund : a wide piece of cloth (such as silk) that is worn around the waist beneath the jacket of a man who is formally dressed See the full definition for cummerbund in the English Language Learners Dictionary

What is the (awful/bitter) irony in the poem?

The (awful/bitter) irony is that in trying to forget her, he thought of her even more. See More Examples That’s just one of life’s little ironies.

What is the definition of cyclicality in English?

Define cyclicality. cyclicality synonyms, cyclicality pronunciation, cyclicality translation, English dictionary definition of cyclicality. or cyc·li·cal adj. 1. a. Of, relating to, or characterized by cycles: a cyclic pattern of weather changes.

What are some examples of irony of events in history?

For example, when the “unsinkable” HMS Titanic met an untimely end on its maiden voyage. To clarify: “the irony of events” is not the same as “coincidence” and “bad luck” (apologies to Alanis Morrisette ). If you buy a new car and then accidentally drive it into a tree, that is coincidental and unlucky, but not ironic.

Irony Definition. Irony (EYE-run-ee) is a literary device in which a word or event means something different—and often contradictory—to its actual meaning. At its most fundamental, irony is a difference between reality and something’s appearance or expectation, creating a natural tension when presented in the context of a story.

What is the difference between verbal irony and situational irony?

Verbal irony is a trope in which the intended meaning of a statement differs from the meaning that the words appear to express. Situational irony involves an incongruity between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs. Dramatic irony is an effect produced by a narrative in…

What is sarcasm in the form of irony?

Sarcasm is a bitter, cutting, or mocking taunt used to denigrate a particular person, place, or thing. 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,…

What are some examples of irony in popular culture?

Popular culture has countless examples of irony. One of the most predominant, contemporary references, Alanis Morissette’s hit song “Ironic” generated much controversy and debate around what, exactly, constitutes irony.

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