Irony and Ambiguity

Isn’t it IRONIC? O Irony: The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning

3 Types of Irony O Verbal Irony O Dramatic Irony O Situational Irony

Verbal Irony: Meaning Something Else O Saying one thing, but meaning another. O Example: In seeing that its raining outside, your P.E. teacher saying, “A great day to run outside!”

Dramatic Irony: Withholding Knowledge O “When the audience knows what is in store for a character, but the character does not know. O Interesting because it mimics life, its always surprising! O Example: Little Red Riding Hood – When she walks to Grandmother’s house, the audience knows the wolf is waiting for her! OR Titanic we know the boat sinks, the characters don’t!

Situational Irony: Reversing Expectations O An occasion in which the outcome is significantly different from what was expected or considered appropriate O Example: The Sixth Sense – The fact Bruce Willis’ character is dead.

Reverse Dramatic Irony Withholding Information O Occurs when the characters know information that the audience is unaware of.

Ambiguity: Multiple Meanings O Doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention O Offers a choice of more than one meaning or intention O Keeps us guessing and the point is to make the audience figure out our own interpretation