Irony “All roads lead to tone and irony”. 9/7/2015Free Template from 2 Definition of Irony Laurence Perrine defines irony as “a term

IronyIrony

“All roads lead to tone and irony”

“All roads lead to tone and irony”

04/19/2304/19/23 Free Template from www.brainybetty.comFree Template from

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Definition of IronyDefinition of Irony

• Laurence Perrine defines irony as “a term with a range of meanings, all of them involving some sort of discrepancy or incongruity.”

• The Riverside Anthology of Literature records , “a mode of writing in which truth appears in a mask that disguises it.”

• Laurence Perrine defines irony as “a term with a range of meanings, all of them involving some sort of discrepancy or incongruity.”

• The Riverside Anthology of Literature records , “a mode of writing in which truth appears in a mask that disguises it.”



Reminder and DisclaimerReminder and Disclaimer

• All forms of irony depend on the unexpected in some way

• Irony relies on the reader or audience to intelligently perceive the slight smile as the author says one thing and means another

• Irony relies on the reader’s interpretation of the writer’s tone and of the elements that contribute to the tone

• All forms of irony depend on the unexpected in some way

• Irony relies on the reader or audience to intelligently perceive the slight smile as the author says one thing and means another

• Irony relies on the reader’s interpretation of the writer’s tone and of the elements that contribute to the tone



Associated with Irony…Associated with Irony…

• Mode of Discourse: Satire• Tone: Sarcasm• Literary Vocabulary: hyperbole,

litote, • Paradox, euphemism

• Mode of Discourse: Satire• Tone: Sarcasm• Literary Vocabulary: hyperbole,

litote, • Paradox, euphemism



Origins of IronyOrigins of Irony

• In Greek comedy, the character called the eiron was a dissembler, who spoke in understatement and deliberately pretended to be less intelligent than he was, yet triumphed over the alazon, the self-deceiving and stupid braggart.

• In Greek comedy, the character called the eiron was a dissembler, who spoke in understatement and deliberately pretended to be less intelligent than he was, yet triumphed over the alazon, the self-deceiving and stupid braggart.



Three Types of IronyThree Types of Irony

• Verbal• Dramatic• Situational

• Each is achieved in a different way by an author

• Verbal• Dramatic• Situational

• Each is achieved in a different way by an author



Verbal IronyVerbal Irony

• A figure of speech in which the opposite is said from what is intended (Perrine 201).

• Usually an explicit expression of one attitude or evaluation

• Indications in the overall speech situation that the speaker intends a different or opposite attitude or evaluation.

• A figure of speech in which the opposite is said from what is intended (Perrine 201).

• Usually an explicit expression of one attitude or evaluation

• Indications in the overall speech situation that the speaker intends a different or opposite attitude or evaluation.




• The surface meaning may be false, or it may be a level of meaning that is different from the underlying one (which is usually more significant).

• Words should not be taken at face value by the context in which they occur--which includes the speaker's character, the situation, particular word associations, and a common ground of assumptions shared by the speaker and the reader.

• The surface meaning may be false, or it may be a level of meaning that is different from the underlying one (which is usually more significant).

• Words should not be taken at face value by the context in which they occur--which includes the speaker's character, the situation, particular word associations, and a common ground of assumptions shared by the speaker and the reader.



Verbal Irony: Everyday Use

Verbal Irony: Everyday Use

• When Sally looks out the window during a rainstorm and says, “Nice day!” (Birkcerts 578).

• When Sally looks out the window during a rainstorm and says, “Nice day!” (Birkcerts 578).



Verbal Irony: LiteratureVerbal Irony: Literature

• Hamlet's character as a brooding intellectual produces language that is loaded with ironic witticisms, as when he tells his hated stepfather, "I am too much in the sun" (pun on "son").

• Hamlet's character as a brooding intellectual produces language that is loaded with ironic witticisms, as when he tells his hated stepfather, "I am too much in the sun" (pun on "son").




• In the first three chapters of Wuthering Heights, Lockwood’s use of verbal irony gives the reader a strong impression of the tone and attitude of Lockwood as the narrator.

• In the first three chapters of Wuthering Heights, Lockwood’s use of verbal irony gives the reader a strong impression of the tone and attitude of Lockwood as the narrator.




• What is the purpose?• Think---What is the purpose, and

how do you know?• The purpose ---universal

idea/theme, tone, purpose• How do you know?---elements that

contribute to the purpose

• What is the purpose?• Think---What is the purpose, and

how do you know?• The purpose ---universal

idea/theme, tone, purpose• How do you know?---elements that

contribute to the purpose



Verbal Irony and SarcasmVerbal Irony and Sarcasm

• Verbal Irony: Much more subtle use of language

• Generally not intended to cause pain

• Verbal Irony: Much more subtle use of language

• Generally not intended to cause pain

• Satire: Aim is to cause pain by using language which causes embarrassment or wounded emotions

• Satire: Aim is to cause pain by using language which causes embarrassment or wounded emotions




• Conveys an implicit compliment to the intelligence of the readers

• Many literary ironists are misinterpreted and sometimes get into trouble with authorities (Abrams 135).

• Conveys an implicit compliment to the intelligence of the readers

• Many literary ironists are misinterpreted and sometimes get into trouble with authorities (Abrams 135).



Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony

• Occurs when an author creates a “contrast between what a character says and what the reader or audience knows to be true” (Perrine 202).

• Occurs when an author creates a “contrast between what a character says and what the reader or audience knows to be true” (Perrine 202).



Example from Oedipus Rex

Example from Oedipus Rex

• Oedipus is called upon to find the murderer of King Laius in order to end the plague in Thebes. Oedipus vows to find and punish the Killer, never considering that he might be the guilty party.

• Oedipus is called upon to find the murderer of King Laius in order to end the plague in Thebes. Oedipus vows to find and punish the Killer, never considering that he might be the guilty party.



As for the criminal, I pray to God—Whether it be a lurking thief, or one of a

number—I pray that that man’s life be consumed in

evil and wretchedness.And as for me, this curse applies no lessIf it should turn out that the culprit is my

guest here,Sharing my hearthYou have heard the penalty (Scene I, lines

29 -35).

As for the criminal, I pray to God—Whether it be a lurking thief, or one of a

number—I pray that that man’s life be consumed in

evil and wretchedness.And as for me, this curse applies no lessIf it should turn out that the culprit is my

guest here,Sharing my hearthYou have heard the penalty (Scene I, lines

29 -35).



Irony in Oedipus RexIrony in Oedipus Rex

• Audiences familiar--like the original Greek spectators--with the legend of Oedipus know that the hero of Sophocles' tragedy is guilty of the evil he seeks to punish; therefore, they fully appreciate Oedipus' blindness as he self-righteously hunts the murderer of Laius--not only blind that he is the murderer, but also that Laius is his father and that he is presently married to his own mother.

• Audiences familiar--like the original Greek spectators--with the legend of Oedipus know that the hero of Sophocles' tragedy is guilty of the evil he seeks to punish; therefore, they fully appreciate Oedipus' blindness as he self-righteously hunts the murderer of Laius--not only blind that he is the murderer, but also that Laius is his father and that he is presently married to his own mother.



Abrams on Dramatic IronyAbrams on Dramatic Irony

• “involves a situation in a play or a narrative in which the audience or reader shares with the author knowledge of present or future circumstances of which a character is ignorant…”

• “involves a situation in a play or a narrative in which the audience or reader shares with the author knowledge of present or future circumstances of which a character is ignorant…”



Abrams on Dramatic IronyAbrams on Dramatic Irony

• “…in that situation, the character unknowingly acts in a way we recognize to be inappropriate to the actual circumstances or expects the opposite of what we know that fate holds in store or says something that anticipates the actual outcome, but not at all in the way that the character intends” (136).

• “…in that situation, the character unknowingly acts in a way we recognize to be inappropriate to the actual circumstances or expects the opposite of what we know that fate holds in store or says something that anticipates the actual outcome, but not at all in the way that the character intends” (136).



Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony

• Also known as Tragic Irony• May produce comic effects when

the ignorance of characters merely makes them appear ridiculous, or when the unintended results of their actions are humorous.

• Also known as Tragic Irony• May produce comic effects when

the ignorance of characters merely makes them appear ridiculous, or when the unintended results of their actions are humorous.



Structural IronyStructural Irony

• Structural irony occurs when a double level of meaning is continued throughout a work by means of some inherent feature such as a hero, narrator, or persona who is either naive or fallible (a participant in the story whose judgment is impaired by prejudice, personal interests, or limited knowledge).

• Structural irony occurs when a double level of meaning is continued throughout a work by means of some inherent feature such as a hero, narrator, or persona who is either naive or fallible (a participant in the story whose judgment is impaired by prejudice, personal interests, or limited knowledge).



Example of Structural Irony

Example of Structural Irony

• In Swift's Gulliver's Travel's (1726), the narrator who recounts his own travels is both naive and fallible: he idealizes some of the people he encounters despite their follies; and his judgments are biased by conservative morality and personal pride.

• In Swift's Gulliver's Travel's (1726), the narrator who recounts his own travels is both naive and fallible: he idealizes some of the people he encounters despite their follies; and his judgments are biased by conservative morality and personal pride.



Structural IronyStructural Irony

• Narrow conventional morality also biases Nelly Dean, the narrator of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (1847), and in Shakespeare's As You Like It, the continuing disguise of Rosalind as the young man Ganymede leads to multiple levels of dramatic and structural irony.

• Narrow conventional morality also biases Nelly Dean, the narrator of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (1847), and in Shakespeare's As You Like It, the continuing disguise of Rosalind as the young man Ganymede leads to multiple levels of dramatic and structural irony.



Irony’s PurposeIrony’s Purpose

• Irony is used in a play for several reasons: – to heighten suspense – to assist in developing the depth

of characters– to assist in foreshadowing.

• Irony is used in a play for several reasons: – to heighten suspense – to assist in developing the depth

of characters– to assist in foreshadowing.



Oedipus RexOedipus Rex

oWith Oedipus always making the wrong move, Sophocles heightens suspense. The audience knows what is happening.

o When the audience knows what is happening, suspense increases. The audience waits for the crucial moment.

o Sophocles teases his audience with dramatic and verbal irony.

oWith Oedipus always making the wrong move, Sophocles heightens suspense. The audience knows what is happening.

o When the audience knows what is happening, suspense increases. The audience waits for the crucial moment.

o Sophocles teases his audience with dramatic and verbal irony.




• Often present in Oedipus’ long speeches. • Oedipus constantly sees things incorrectly

and is in denial that he has, in fact, killed his father and married his mother.

• This is first apparent when he demands the death of the man who killed Laius. Oedipus calls the man who did this an evil murder.

• In another speech, Oedipus accuses Creon of framing him as the murderer, in order to get the throne.

• Often present in Oedipus’ long speeches. • Oedipus constantly sees things incorrectly

and is in denial that he has, in fact, killed his father and married his mother.

• This is first apparent when he demands the death of the man who killed Laius. Oedipus calls the man who did this an evil murder.

• In another speech, Oedipus accuses Creon of framing him as the murderer, in order to get the throne.




• At this point, Oedipus is in denial that he is guilty, even though all of the evidence points to him. In reality, Creon does not want to be king at all; he enjoys his current position of wealth and power without having much responsibility.

• A third occasion of irony in the speeches is Oedipus’s firm belief that the people who raised him were his biological parents. Oedipus refuses to believe that Jocasta is his mother, and that by escaping to Thebes, he did not escape the fate he was told of at Delphi.

• Because of Oedipus’s denial and stubbornness, he did suffer greatly and ‘commit the greatest sin’.

• At this point, Oedipus is in denial that he is guilty, even though all of the evidence points to him. In reality, Creon does not want to be king at all; he enjoys his current position of wealth and power without having much responsibility.

• A third occasion of irony in the speeches is Oedipus’s firm belief that the people who raised him were his biological parents. Oedipus refuses to believe that Jocasta is his mother, and that by escaping to Thebes, he did not escape the fate he was told of at Delphi.

• Because of Oedipus’s denial and stubbornness, he did suffer greatly and ‘commit the greatest sin’.



Use of Dramatic IronyUse of Dramatic Irony

• Some of the most powerful uses of dramatic irony are associated with tragedy– Emphasizes how limited human

understanding is – Emphasizes how painful the costs of

misunderstandings are

• Some of the most powerful uses of dramatic irony are associated with tragedy– Emphasizes how limited human

understanding is – Emphasizes how painful the costs of

misunderstandings are



Effects of Dramatic IronyEffects of Dramatic Irony

• It is this discrepancy between what Oedipus understands his words to apply to and what the audience understands their scope actually to be that constitutes the effect the dramatic irony.

• It is this discrepancy between what Oedipus understands his words to apply to and what the audience understands their scope actually to be that constitutes the effect the dramatic irony.



Situational IronySituational Irony

• Occurs with the author is able to hide or disguise the true state of affairs from the reader

• Then, gives the reader a surprise!• A moment in the story when we

are “led to expect or believe one thing, we suddenly confront a different outcome” (Birkerts 577).

• Occurs with the author is able to hide or disguise the true state of affairs from the reader

• Then, gives the reader a surprise!• A moment in the story when we

are “led to expect or believe one thing, we suddenly confront a different outcome” (Birkerts 577).



Perrine’s Thoughts on Situational Irony

Perrine’s Thoughts on Situational Irony

• Usually the most important kind for the story writer because the discrepancy is between – appearance and reality or – expectation and fulfillment or – what is and what would seem

appropriate (203).

• Usually the most important kind for the story writer because the discrepancy is between – appearance and reality or – expectation and fulfillment or – what is and what would seem

appropriate (203).



Situational IronySituational Irony

• Excellent example: The Story of an Hour

• Excellent example: The Story of an Hour



NoteNote

• * It is important to remember that nothing is inherently ironic.

• The author must write in a way that can be interpreted as ironic, and the reader or audience must be skilled enough to understand the irony.

• * It is important to remember that nothing is inherently ironic.

• The author must write in a way that can be interpreted as ironic, and the reader or audience must be skilled enough to understand the irony.

Exercises in IronyExercises in Irony

Answer on your own paperAnswer on your own paper



“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1817)

“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1817)

I met a traveler from an antique landWho said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stoneStand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sun, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,Tell that its sculptor well those passions readWhich yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal these words appear:“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”Nothing beside remains. Round the decayOf that colossal wreck, boundless and bareThe lone and level sands stretch far away.

I met a traveler from an antique landWho said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stoneStand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sun, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,Tell that its sculptor well those passions readWhich yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal these words appear:“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”Nothing beside remains. Round the decayOf that colossal wreck, boundless and bareThe lone and level sands stretch far away.



QuestionsQuestions

• 1. Shelley has embedded one speaker’s voice (the traveler’s) inside another’s. Ozymandias’ words are embedded in the traveler’s. How do these voices differ?

• 2. Characterize Ozymandias. Can you think of any historical or contemporary figures who might see themselves as Ozymandias saw himself?

• 1. Shelley has embedded one speaker’s voice (the traveler’s) inside another’s. Ozymandias’ words are embedded in the traveler’s. How do these voices differ?

• 2. Characterize Ozymandias. Can you think of any historical or contemporary figures who might see themselves as Ozymandias saw himself?



QuestionsQuestions

• 3. What is the traveler’s response to the ruins and words of Ozymandias?

• 4. What kind (s) of irony are used in this poem?

• What is the theme? (lines to support)• How does the irony communicate this

message to the reader?

• 3. What is the traveler’s response to the ruins and words of Ozymandias?

• 4. What kind (s) of irony are used in this poem?

• What is the theme? (lines to support)• How does the irony communicate this

message to the reader?

Documents

Irony “All roads lead to tone and irony”. 9/7/2015Free Template from 2 Definition of Irony Laurence Perrine defines irony as “a term