Many people know the general definition of irony as what is expected to occur ends up being the complete opposite. According to Kathleen Kuiper’s book, Prose Literary Terms and Concepts she states, "the real meaning of the spoken or written communication is concealed or contradicted by the literal means." (Pg 160) She also further on explains two types of irony, which are “Dramatic” and “Verbal” irony. She defines dramatic irony as a technique that is based on the structure of the work rather than the wording. In her book she defines verbal irony, “Arises from a sophisticated or resigned awareness of contrast between what is what ought to be and expresses a controlled pathos without sentimentality.” (Pg 160) Both types of irony are presented …show more content…
A perfect example to demonstrate how irony is used to link the story’s detailed content would be when Marlow meets Kurtz. As quoted from the story, “Kurtz--Kurtz--that means ‘short’ in German--don’t it? Well, that name was as true as everything else in his life--and death. He looked at least seven feet long.” (Pg59) This quote presents a verbal irony, it shows a contrast between expectation and outcome. Kurtz name meant short in German and Marlow expected that he would be short but the opposite occurred. Kurtz was shown as a seven-foot man lying on a stretcher. The quote further states, “I could see the cage of his ribs all astir, the bones of his arm waving.” This shows usage of the dramatic irony because in part one of the story the brickmaker told Marlow that Kurtz was a prodigy/godly figure. However, in this quote, Kurtz was introduced as a man lingering on to his own dear life, the complete opposite of what was expected of him from Marlow. This is not the only case where he used a verbal irony to draw out a dramatic irony. For example, in part two Marlow read some of Kurtz’s reports that stated his purpose of being in Africa; to spread European standards and civilization to the Africans. Near the end of the report, it stated, “Exterminate all the brutes!” This shows a verbal irony because the beginning of the report Kurtz talked about changing Africa to
Irony is the contrast between expectation and reality. There are three different types; verbal, situational, and dramatic. Verbal irony is when one person says something, but means the opposite. Situational irony is when an event happens that is the opposite of what was expected to happen. Dramatic irony is when the reader knows something that one or more characters do not.
Irony is the expression of ones meaning by using language that usually signifies the opposite. There are three different types of irony; verbal, dramatic, and situational. Edgar Allen Poe uses verbal and dramatic irony in The Cask of Amontillado to depict a deeper meaning of Montresor’s hate towards Fortunato.
In Harrison Bergeron, the irony author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. uses is very apparent. Irony is a literary technique in which the opposite of what is meant is said or done, usually to a humorous effect. There are three types of irony used in this story; verbal, situational and dramatic. The most humorous use of verbal irony is when the narrator says “Hazel had a perfectly normal intelligence”. This is ironic because Hazel only has a twenty second memory, which is not that
The first instance of irony used in the story is when the two enemies become friends while trapped in the wilderness together. Ulrich von Gradwitz, “[changes] [his] mind,” and then offers to treat his enemy, Georg Znaeym, “as though [he] were [Ulrich’s] guest” (4). Throughout the short story, Georg and Ulrich go from being people who hate each other because of an ancient rivalry, to
Kurtz had seen the true heart of man, and he knew of the evil. In his
Irony is the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. This rhetorical device is often used many times in literature and a very significant device. One example of irony occurs at the end. In the final chapter, was setting the jungle into fire, in order to smoke Ralph out. The fire, at the beginning of the book, was used for two things: it enabled the kids from signal a ship for a rescue, it helped cook meat, and it helped them keep warm.
Throughout the whole short story “The Story of an Hour” the reader sees’ irony but the best usage of irony occurs toward the end of the story in the last few paragraphs. As the reader reads the story they notice that Mrs. Mallard’s husband Brently Mallard died in a railroad disaster. The reader also finds out that Mrs. Mallard has a heart trouble, and great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death. (157) There ar...
The types of irony I choose were situational irony and dramatic irony.The reason I choose these 2 was because ,I think these are the easiest to do.Irony is the gaiety of reflection and the joy of wisdom.
Dramatic Irony is when the irony that is in speeches or text is expressed through a workable structure. The audience knows what’s happening, but the character themselves do not know what’s happening or what’s going to happen. The character is unaware that this is happening, but the readers know how this story will lay out. In the story “The Bicycle” by Jillian Horton, Hannah is a young girl who loves to play piano. Hannah’s aunt, Tante Rose knows how to play so she says that she will teach Hannah how to play but she must obey her aunts rules. One of her aunts rules is that Hannah cannot ride a bike. Hannah has never ridden a bike and all of her friends have, and Hannah wants to ride a bike. The author uses dramatic irony because the readers know that Hannah will ride a bike at some point in her life. The author makes the dramatic irony important because if the author didn’t tell us that Hannah has never ridden a bike, we wouldn’t know why she would want to ride one so badly. This is dramatic irony instead or irony because irony is when the readers expect something to happen and it turns out the opposite way. In this story the reader knows that Hannah will ride the bike and Hannah ends up riding the bike at the end of the story. If Hannah didn’t ride the bike the story would not have ended like it did and then the author would have used ironically. In the short story “The Possibility Of Evil” by Shirley Jackson,
When he finally reaches Kurtz Marlow is taken aback by what he sees. Outside the hut there are severed head impaled on poles, the heads of people who opposed Kurtz. Marlow is supremely disappointed in this finding and says of the heads that “They only showed that Mr. Kurtz lacked restraint in the gratification of his various lusts.” Marlow can see that Kurtz has done an atrocious and unnecessary thing just to seal himself in a place of power. The Russian that is with Kurtz also reveals that Kurtz is very unstable, and even wanted to kill him over a dispute of ivory. Even though Marlow is disappointed with Kurtz he still admires him despite his horrible actions. His point of view allows him to see some of Kurtz at his worst and some of Kurtz at his best.
Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but means the opposite. When a reader understands the irony of what a character is saying, then he can truly understand the nature and intentions of the character. An example of verbal irony is when Macbeth says to Banquo, "Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,/ And I’ll request your presence" (Macbeth 3.1.13-14). The reader soon discovers that Banquo never makes it to the banquet because he is brutally murdered by order of Macbeth.
Verbal irony is when someone says one thing but, means another. An example of verbal irony in the play is when Procter is in the courthouse and says that Elizabeth can not lie and then she does. “In her life, sir, she have never lied. There are them that cannot sing, and them that cannot weep, my wife cannot lie. I have paid much to learn it, sir” (pg 973 Miller Act 3), “Look at me! To your knowledge, has John Procter ever committed the crime of lechery? Answer my question! Is your husband a leacher!” (pg 974 Miller Act 3), “No, sir” (pg 974 Miller Act 3). Another example of verbal irony is when Abigail is in the court house and she is doing Gods work, but really she is doing the devils by getting all the girls to act like they see Mary’s spirit too. “Oh, Mary this is a black art to change your shape. No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; it’s God’s work I do” (pg 975 Miller Act 3). Dramatic irony is when the readers know something that the characters do not. One example of dramatic irony is when Abigail acts like she sees Mary Warrens spirit, but she really does not. “Oh, Mary, this is a black art to change your shape. No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; it’s God’s work I do” (pg 975 Miller Act 3), “Mary Warren! Draw back your spirit out of them!” (pg 975 Miller Act 3). Another example of dramatic irony is when Elizabeth was asked why she discharged Abigail she said that she did not satisfy
Irony is the discrepancy between what is said and what is done. For example, Harry talks about how his old girlfriend broke up with him. Harry says, “She gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her enough, or something. I don’t know, I wasn’t really paying attention” ( Dumb and Dumber).
Kurtz is one of many men sent into the jungle to rape the land and its people of its natural resources. Many men have journeyed into the jungle also refereed as the heart of darkness never to return. Kurtz goes into the jungle and becomes obsessed with the people and the land. Though Kurtz has an obsession with ivory this is not the sole reason for him to overstay his welcome in the jungle.
An example of this is, Beth says to Sally (who is covered in mud), "Oh Sally, you look so nice today!" The comment from Beth is made out of spite, simply rude and unkind. Sally understands that Beth's real meaning is not what was said. The second form of irony is situational, this form is often confused with cosmic, the difference between the two is minimal. Situational irony is a contradiction between what is expected to happen and what happens.