Irony & Theme Created by: Hannah White, Zach Schneider, Jacob Presson, Justin Russell, and Katie Wenban
Irony An element in writing where the meaning of a situation is opposite to what it seems to be. Through irony, the intended meaning is “masked” by the writer.
Verbal Irony A Type of irony in which the writer uses words to “mask” the actual meaning. The writer’s words make the reader perceive a meaning opposite to what it really means. Sometimes, it is similar to sarcasm.
While Rainsford and Zaroff are having dinner at Zaroff’s mansion the first night, Zaroff exclaims “We do out best to preserve the amenities of civilization here. Please forgive any lapses.” (p. 24) Found on page 24 Examples of Verbal Irony in… The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell
This conversation is an example of verbal irony because despite what he says, Zaroff knows that civilization is not preserved on the island because of the “animals” he hunts. Hunting humans is a huge lapse on the island, and Zaroff is aware of that fact. Examples of Verbal Irony in… The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell
Dramatic Irony A type of irony in which the reader understands more than what the character does. For the reader, it adds importance to a character’s actions and thoughts.
Dramatic Irony is like in a scary movie when a character is going to open a closed door, not knowing who, or what is behind it. Examples of Dramatic Irony
The scary movie example shows dramatic irony because the viewers know more than the characters in the film. They already know there is someone or something behind the door, and are anticipating the result of the character opening the door. Examples of Dramatic Irony
Situational Irony Situational Irony is an event that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters. Whatever the characters think will happen, the opposite happens instead.
In the very beginning of the book, Whitney is telling Rainsford about Ship-Trap Island’s bad reputation. Rainsford brushes it off as “superstition”. Examples of Situational Irony in… The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell Found on page19
This is situational irony because Rainsford didn’t think Ship-Trap Island was bad at all, and he ends up getting into a life-threatening situation there. Examples of Situational Irony in… The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell
The general idea or insight about life that a writer puts into a story to express a lesson or moral. A message portrayed through the literary work. Theme
Standing up for what you believe in could be a possible theme. Though Rainsford was an avid hunter, he spoke out against Zaroff “hunting” people. Rainsford felt all humans are equal and that no one should take another’s life for pleasure. Examples of Theme in… The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell Found on pages 27-28
Another theme could be that viewing life through a different set of lenses is necessary to connect to others. Rainsford had no respect for the animals he hunted early on, and then as he became “the hunted,” he learned true fear and began to connect to the animals he hunted. The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell Examples of Theme in… MORE Found on pages 19-20, and 34-35
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Works Cited Page "Theme." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 12 Sept Cherry, Nathan. Right Way Wrong Way Signs. Digital image. Engage Family Blog. N.p., 6 July Web. 12 Sept The Most Dangerous Game. Digital image. N.p., 15 June Web. 12 Sept