What exactly is irony?
Here’s a quick and simple definition: Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition, don’t worry—it is.
What is an example of verbal irony in literature?
For example, if someone has a painful visit to the dentist and when it’s over says, “Well, that was pleasant,” they are using verbal irony because the intended meaning of their words (that it wasn’t at all pleasant) is the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Verbal irony is the most common form of irony.
What is irony in postmodernism?
Irony is a characteristic stylistic feature of postmodernism. See also dramatic irony.
What is an example of dramatic irony turning into comedy?
The dramatic irony turns into comedic tension as the character obliviously digs themselves (or other characters) into a deeper hole. Example: In a season one episode of Friends, Joey tried to win back his ex-girlfriend Angela by arranging a double date.
What is the meaning of incompletion?
incompletion(Noun) The state or quality of not being complete. incompletion(Noun) Something which is not completed. incompletion(Noun) A forward pass which is not caught inbounds by the intended receiver.
What is incompetence?
1 mass noun The state of lacking something or of having failed to complete something. ‘humans with their profound sense of incompletion’
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 (awful/bitter) irony?
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. The irony of the situation was apparent to everyone. He has a strong sense of irony. Hide Choose the Right Synonym What’s irony? Example Sentences Learn More About irony
What is an ideavirus?
An ideavirus is an idea that spreads through various networks like the Internet and grows rapidly within a target population. It usually comes from a single person. The term ideavirus was coined by marketer Seth Godin in his book, “Unleashing the Ideavirus.”
How do storytellers use irony?
Storytellers of all stripes use irony as a literary device to create tension, humor, or as the central conceit in a plot. To help you make heads or tails of this literary technique, this article will dig into three common types of irony (plus one uncommon one):
How does verbal irony work?
Broadly speaking, verbal irony works by either understating or overstating the gravity of the situation. As you might expect, an ironic understatement creates contrast by undermining the impact of something, though the thing itself will be rather substantial or severe.
What is an example of tragic irony?
2: a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems to be the opposite of what you expected It was a tragic irony that he made himself sick by worrying so much about his health. The (awful/bitter) irony is that in trying to forget her, he thought of her even more. See More Examples.
What is Humbug?
a person who is not what he or she claims or pretends to be; impostor. something devoid of sense or meaning; nonsense: a humbug of technical jargon. British. a variety of hard mint candy.
What is an example of irony in the gift of the Magi?
It is an example of situational irony when, in the O. Henry story ” The Gift of the Magi ,” a young wife cuts off her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch, but the husband sells his watch to buy his wife a comb for her beautiful hair.
What is sarcasm in the form of irony?
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, since your meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of your words.
What is situational irony?
Situational irony involves a striking reversal of what is expected or intended: a person sidesteps a pothole to avoid injury and in doing so steps into another pothole and injures themselves.
What is the difference between tragic irony and dramatic irony?
One refers to Socratic irony—a method of revealing an opponent’s ignorance by pretending to be ignorant yourself and asking probing questions. 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.
What is the irony of anthracite?
— Amanda Bower, Time, 20 Aug. 2001 The great irony of anthracite is that, tough as it is to light, once you get it lit it’s nearly impossible to put out. — Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods, 1999
What is the difference between situational irony and dramatic irony?
Dramatic irony is similar to situational irony and therefore can be easily confused. In situational irony, both the characters and the audience are fully unaware of the implications of the real situation. In dramatic irony, the characters are oblivious of the situation but the audience is not.
What is an MRTFB?
The MRTFBs are the designated core set of DoD Test and Evaluation (T&E) infrastructure and associated workforce that must be preserved as a national asset to provide T&E capabilities to support the DoD acquisition system.
What is an example of irony in Shelby Steele?
— Shelby Steele, Harper’s, July 1992 a writer known for her clever use of irony “What a beautiful view,” he said, his voice dripping with irony, as he looked out the window at the alley. She described her vacation with heavy irony as “an educational experience.”
What does pétillant mean in English?
pétillant. A French word meaning effervescent, used to describe wine that is slightly effervescent. Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited.
What is an example of situational irony?
Situational irony refers to an unexpected, paradoxical, or perverse turn of events. It is an example of situational irony when, in the O. Henry story ” The Gift of the Magi,” a young wife cuts off her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch, but the husband sells his watch to buy his wife a comb for her beautiful hair.