UNIT 4 LECTURE NOTES Irony and Ambiguity

Introduction – The truth about fiction Well written fiction will reflect some human experience, which may be related to the theme.  The fiction writer must first convince the reader that the story being told is the actual truth.  For this to happen, the reader must believe in the story as a reflection of some human experience.  How to do this??? - “telling it like it is”  Giving the characters and events all the peculiarities of real life.

Irony  Discrepancy or difference between what we expect or what seems suitable and what actually happens.  For example: We elect a mayor who ran his campaign on the idea of “honesty,” but he ends up being caught with the missing pension fund. At times, irony is so surprising, it can even be comical. But, not always!  Irony tends to be satisfying to individuals because it comes from our recognition that it is true – that life rarely fulfills our expectations and often astounds or surprises us.

Types of Irony Verbal Irony  When someone says one thing, but they mean the opposite.  A wife says to her husband, “Thank you so much for helping me with the dishes.” (as he sits on the couch) Situational Irony  A situation is described to us that is not just surprising, but is actually the opposite of what we expected.  The example regarding the mayor on the previous slide is an example of this. Dramatic Irony  When we (the audience or reader) knows something the character(s) does not know.  We know the killer is in the room that the girl in going in; however, she doesn’t know this, and goes in to hide.

Ambiguity Ambiguity = lack of clarity, vagueness, uncertainty, or doubt.  Stories, just as in real life experiences, reveal ambiguity, by offering us several conflicting consequences or meanings – leaving us (the audience / reader) to figure it out.  For example: An ambiguous ending leaves some unanswered questions.  We may be able to decide the outcome ourselves in this situation, using evidence from the story to support our choice.

Applying Irony and Ambiguity to Literature Irony and ambiguity can apply to every aspect of storytelling  Basic plot elements  E.g. background info or what happens afterwards  Characterization  E.g. characteristics or why a character is the way they are  The story’s ending  E.g. the outcome of the conflict  The story’s theme  E.g. the why of the story?  Etc.

Effect of Irony and Ambiguity Typically, the stories that have ironic or ambiguous elements are the ones we remember.  Meaning… the most famous or remembered stories are the ones that are not the easiest to understand.  Instead, the best stories are the ones that present life and people the way the truly are: complicated, unpredictable, and mysterious.

Practice with Irony - Assignment Read “The Gift of the Magi” on pg Divide a sheet of paper into four sections. Title the sections: “motivation,” “title,” “theme,” and “irony.” Answer the questions below in the appropriate section.  What motivates each of the main characters (Della and Jim) in this story?  What is the meaning of the title? *What is the real “gift” referred to in the title?  Identify the theme of this story.  Provide a bullet-pointed list of examples to support your choice.  Identify the type of irony being used (overall) in this story.  Provide a complete bullet-pointed list of examples to support your choice. Due beginning of class tomorrow! *8 th period = we will finish the last couple of slides tomorrow. We covered everything you need for this assignment.