Irony

Learning Objective Today, we are going to identify, explain, and give our own examples of the different types of irony

Activating Prior Knowledge

What makes each of the pictures contrary to what is expected? Explain.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Irony Definition: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning an unexpected event the difference in the actual words that are said and what is really meant

In other words Irony is the gap between what is said and what is meant, what is said and what is done, what is expected or intended and what happens, what is meant or said and what others understand.

What is ironic in this picture? Why?

What is ironic in this picture? Why?

What is ironic in this picture? Why?

Types of Irony Verbal irony is when a speaker says one thing but means another, or when a literal meaning is contrary to its intended effect. An example of this is sarcasm. Dramatic irony is when words and actions possess a significance that the listener or audience understands, but the speaker or character does not. Situational irony is when the result of an action is contrary to the desired or expected effect.

Verbal Irony Verbal irony occurs when an author or character says one thing but means something else.

Examples of Verbal Irony It’s as clear as mud! That’s about as funny as a toothache. “I’m not angry at all!” she exclaimed as smoke poured from her ears.

You give an example! Look back at the definition and examples just given. Now, think of your own example of verbal irony. Write it down in addition to the other two examples given in the notes.

Situational Irony Situational irony is an inconsistency between what the audience or reader expects, and what actually happens.
 Situational irony occurs when expectations aroused by a situation or event are reversed

Situational Irony example At UC Berkeley, the ugliest building on campus houses the Department of Architecture. Why is this good example of situational irony?

Situational Irony example You are on your way to buy a new wallet, but when you get there you discover you have lost all your money. Why is this a good example of situational irony?

You give an example! Look back at the definition and examples just given. Now, think of your own example of situational irony. Write it down in addition to the other two examples given in the notes.

Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony occurs when an audience or reader knows something that a character does not know.
 Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more than the characters, so that words and action have additional meaning for the audience.

Dramatic Irony example On a TV talk show, a guest thinks she is there to have a makeover, but the audience knows that she will soon be confronted by her cheating husband and his girlfriend. Why is this a good example of dramatic irony?

Dramatic Irony example In a horror movie, the audience knows that the monster is hiding under the stairs, but the main character begins to walk toward the stairs and is taken by the monster. Why is this a good example of dramatic irony?

You give an example! Look back at the definition and examples just given. Now, think of your own example of dramatic irony. Write it down in addition to the other two examples given in the notes.

Importance: Why do we need to understand irony? Irony intensifies effect: the story, poem, picture, movie becomes funnier, more tragic, or more dramatic. Irony affects mood (how the reader/viewer feels). Irony affects tone (the writer’s attitude). Irony is tested on CAHSEE and CST.

Skill Development: Identify and explain the types of irony present in the following situations!

What type of irony is present? What is the irony? 1) Lois Lane, a reporter at the Daily Planet, is in love with the superhero Superman.  She is obsessed with him, and always asks her co-worker, Clark Kent for information about him.  She thinks that Clark and Superman are friends.  However, Clark is actually Superman in disguise and is very much in love with Lois, but she won’t give Clark the time of day

What type of irony is present? What is the irony? 2) A son reluctantly walked outside to meet his father in the yard at 6:00 on a Saturday morning.  “Are you ready to do some yard work?” his father asked.  “Yeah, I can’t wait,” the boy replied.

What type of irony is present? What is the irony? 3) Janice begins to receive threatening notes in the mail and on her car.  Then, a car tries to run her over in a dark parking lot.  She can’t see who the driver is.  She goes to her best friend Doug for help.  However, her attacker keeps trying to kill her.  Finally, Doug has her come stay with him at his cabin so she will be safe.  Then, he reveals that HE is the attacker!!

What type of irony is present? What is the irony? 4) Cinderella, a penniless house slave to her step-mother and two step-sisters, goes to a ball held for the prince.  The prince believes that Cinderella is a royal lady since she is at the ball and is so beautiful.  He falls in love with her not knowing that she is a maid in her step-mother’s house.

What type of irony is present? What is the irony? 5) When this movie opens, we see a town and the setting appears to be early-Colonial America (i.e. the Puritans).  The town is attacked regularly by creepy rat-like monsters in red cloaks.  One of the members of the town falls very ill, and they need to send someone to another town for medical supplies.  They choose to send a blind girl in the town, who leaves on her journey, having to run from the monsters.  When she reaches the main road, a truck picks her up and we realize that the setting is not early-American but present day!

What type of irony is present? What is the irony? 6) Ashley is six feet tall. She will only date guys who are 6’3 and above.  One night, she saw a guy who was less than 5 feet tall.  She said, “Yeah, he definitely meets my height requirement.”

Answers 1 - Dramatic 2 - Verbal 3 - Situational 4 - Dramatic

Irony in Real Life Make Safe Toys In 1974 the US Consumer Product Safety Commission had to recall 80,000 of its own lapel buttons promoting "toy safety", because the buttons had sharp edges, used lead paint, and had small clips that could be broken off and swallowed. Jim Fixx, who popularized jogging as a form of healthy exercise in his 1977 book, The Complete Book of Running, died at the age of 52 of a heart attack (a death associated with sedentary, unhealthy lifestyles) while out jogging.

The End