Irony.
Definition. Irony is the general name given to literary techniques that involve surprising, interesting, or amusing contradictions.
1—verbal irony--words are used to suggest the opposite of their usual meanings.
2—dramatic irony--there is a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the
reader or audience knows to be true
3—situation irony—an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the
characters, the reader, or the audience.
Definition. Irony is the general name given to literary techniques that involve surprising, interesting, or amusing contradictions.
1—verbal irony--words are used to suggest the opposite of their usual meanings.
2—dramatic irony--there is a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the
reader or audience knows to be true
3—situation irony—an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the
characters, the reader, or the audience.
Lesson One
1. Think/Talk: What do horror films and comedies have in common?
2. Read/Discuss: In a horror movie, suspense is often built through music. The viewers often know that something is going to happen because of the music that they can hear -- and, of course, the characters cannot hear this music. What are other devices that writers or filmmakers may use to build tension (AKA dramatic irony)? Why is dramatic irony so important to specific plotlines?
3. Now you try:
Develop a list of at least three books, movies, tv shows or songs, etc, that contain dramatic irony. Explain why the dramatic irony is so important to each piece.
Lesson Two
1. Watch/Discuss: Watch the following video to better understand situational irony.
1. Watch/Discuss: Watch the following video to better understand situational irony.
2. Read/Discuss: Read the quote from Zoe Williams
"Situational irony (also known as cosmic irony) occurs when it seems that "God or fate is manipulating events so as to inspire false hopes, which are inevitably dashed"(1). While this looks like the more straightforward usage, it opens the door to confusion between irony, bad luck and inconvenience."
Discuss Zoe's definition of situational irony and rephrase it in your own words. Why does she refer to "fate"?
3. Discuss: Have you ever misinterpreted a situation as ironic? Differentiate between ironic, coincidental, and hypocritical.
"Situational irony (also known as cosmic irony) occurs when it seems that "God or fate is manipulating events so as to inspire false hopes, which are inevitably dashed"(1). While this looks like the more straightforward usage, it opens the door to confusion between irony, bad luck and inconvenience."
Discuss Zoe's definition of situational irony and rephrase it in your own words. Why does she refer to "fate"?
3. Discuss: Have you ever misinterpreted a situation as ironic? Differentiate between ironic, coincidental, and hypocritical.
Lesson Three
1. Think/Listen: Listen to the song and pay attention to the ironic situations mentioned. List as many situational ironies as you can.
1. Think/Listen: Listen to the song and pay attention to the ironic situations mentioned. List as many situational ironies as you can.
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2. Read/Discuss: Read the lyrics to the song.
Isn't it ironic
Don't you think?
It's like rain on your weddin' day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
And who would've thought, it figures
Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole life to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought
Well, isn't this nice
And isn't it ironic
Defend whether you think this song is actually ironic or not.
While most situations in the song are negative, do people enjoy irony? In what situations would this be true?
3. Now you try:
Work with a partner to think of another song, movie, book, or play where situational irony is evident and explain why it is ironic.
Lesson Four
1. Discuss: Do you use sarcasm in your everyday speech? Do you realize you are doing this?
1. Discuss: Do you use sarcasm in your everyday speech? Do you realize you are doing this?
2. Discuss: Distinguish the difference between sarcasm and verbal irony. Determine when verbal irony is useful.
What is the importance of context when determining verbal irony?
3. Now you try:
In Fahrenheit 451, the main character exemplifies verbal irony:
"I am happy" Montag says. "He thinks to himself, as he walks off, that of course he is happy. Why wouldn't he be happy?...He felt his smile slide away, melt, fold over and down on itself like a tallow skin, "
Determine whether this quote is sarcasm or verbal irony (or both). Prove your answer by highlighting and explaining specific pieces of this quote.
What is the importance of context when determining verbal irony?
3. Now you try:
In Fahrenheit 451, the main character exemplifies verbal irony:
"I am happy" Montag says. "He thinks to himself, as he walks off, that of course he is happy. Why wouldn't he be happy?...He felt his smile slide away, melt, fold over and down on itself like a tallow skin, "
Determine whether this quote is sarcasm or verbal irony (or both). Prove your answer by highlighting and explaining specific pieces of this quote.