Irony

Look, listen, and highlight Listen to the following song and follow along with the lyrics Highlight anything that you think could be irony Be prepared to state why –IronicIronic Listen to the following song and follow along with the lyrics Highlight anything that you think could be irony Be prepared to state why –IronicIronic

Did you find any? What examples of irony did you find in the song? Why are they ironic? What examples of irony did you find in the song? Why are they ironic?

What is it? On your paper, take one minute to think of a definition for irony

So what is it? A Figure of speech A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant or between what might be expected and what actually occurs Often connected to a fatalistic or pessimistic view of life A Figure of speech A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant or between what might be expected and what actually occurs Often connected to a fatalistic or pessimistic view of life

Dramatic Irony A situation in which the audience knows something about present or future circumstances that the character does not know Ex. Romeo and Juliet A situation in which the audience knows something about present or future circumstances that the character does not know Ex. Romeo and Juliet

Verbal Irony A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant Only with spoken words Ex. The Scarlet Letter by: Nathaniel Hawthorne A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant Only with spoken words Ex. The Scarlet Letter by: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Dimmesdale confesses to his congregation that he is the “worst of sinners,” but his congregation “did but reverence him the more”; they said that if “a saint on earth” could find sin in himself than they must truly be terrible. Dimmesdale wants the people to shun him as they did Hester, but they do and say the exact opposite.

Irony of the Situation A contradiction of expectation between what might be expected and what actually occurs Ex. Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner A contradiction of expectation between what might be expected and what actually occurs Ex. Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink ; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink ; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink

Ironic Which type of irony is each example in Ironic? Go back with a partner and label each example either dramatic, verbal, or situational What type of irony was used the most? Which type of irony is each example in Ironic? Go back with a partner and label each example either dramatic, verbal, or situational What type of irony was used the most?

Let’s look at another example… An Elephant Is Hard to Hide by Jack PrelutskyAn Elephant Is Hard to Hide by Jack Prelutsky An Elephant Is Hard to Hide by Jack PrelutskyAn Elephant Is Hard to Hide by Jack Prelutsky