(a short PowerPoint of only 47 slides)* *that’s ironic. It’s only 15. Irony (a short PowerPoint of only 47 slides)* *that’s ironic. It’s only 15. Originally written for English I by Adam Watson, South Oldham High School, Crestwood, KY. Examples and basis of definitions from Wikipedia entry on “Irony” accessed March 22, 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony

Consider this cartoon:

What is Irony? When there is a difference between words or actions & what is really meant or really happens. Sometimes humorous, but in a bittersweet way.

Verbal Irony The speaker intentionally means something different than originally intended. For example, consider these ironic similes: as subtle as a sledgehammer as pleasant as a root canal as hairy as a bowling ball Or: Someone loses their temper and yells. I say, “Way to keep your cool, Mr. Iceberg.”

The Techniques of Verbal Irony Sarcasm is closely related to verbal irony; humor “with bite” or ridicule in mind. To see various ironic techniques that are closely related, let’s see different responses to the following situation:

Verbal Irony Techniques (page 2) A classmate says, “Instead of studying for the final, I’m going to call my psychic friend for the answers to the test.” Here are some possible ironic responses:

Verbal Irony Techniques (page 3) “Great idea! I hear that works really well!” (sarcasm) “That’s the best idea I’ve heard in years!” (hyperbole – overexaggeration)

Verbal Irony Techniques (page 4) “Sure. It’s only your final. Not like it will affect your semester grade much.” (understatement) “Oh, are you going to ask for the lottery numbers, too?” (rhetorical questions – not really meant to be answered)

Irony in Art Rene Magritte, “The Treachery of Images (This is not a pipe),” 1929

Situational Irony Something happens differently than originally intended. For example: All of John Hinckley’s shots at Ronald Reagan missed. However, a bullet ricocheted off the bullet-proof glass of the president’s limo, striking him. Monty Python’s 1981comedy album The Hastily Cobbled Together for a Fast Buck Album

Dramatic Irony The actions or words of a character has unintended meaning, because of the knowledge of another character or the audience / reader. For example:

Dramatic Irony Examples When Romeo kills himself beside Juliet, thinking she is dead. We (the audience) know she only appears to be dead. O’Henry’s story The Gift of the Magi: Della cuts off her long hair to pay for a Xmas gift of a new pocket watch chain. Jim comes home and knows something she doesn’t: he has sold his pocket watch to pay for her hair combs.

Cosmic Irony (Irony of Fate) As if a higher power is toying with mortals, or outside force plays a trick. Examples: Jim Fixx’s 1977 book popularized jogging as healthy. He died of a heart attack – while jogging. Beethoven’s loss of hearing

Historical Irony Sharp contrast between view of world and actual events, as time proves. Time can be seconds or years. For example:

Historical Irony (con’t) “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943 “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” Nearly the last words spoken by Civil War General John Sedgwick before being shot through the eye by a Confederate sniper