What does irony mean in English literature?
In simplest terms, irony occurs in literature AND in life whenever a person says something or does something that departs from what they (or we) expect them to say or do. Just as there are countless ways of misunderstanding the world [sorry kids], there are many different kinds of irony.
What is philosophical irony?
Socratic irony is when you pretend to be ignorant to expose the ignorance or inconsistency of someone else. Socrates was a famous Greek philosopher known for his probing questions. Irony is when a statement means the opposite of its literal meaning.
What are the three definitions of irony?
Definition: There are three types of irony: verbal, situational and dramatic. Verbal irony occurs when a speaker’s intention is the opposite of what he or she is saying. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows a key piece of information that a character in a play, movie or novel does not.
What is an example of cosmic irony?
In cosmic irony, a discrepancy exists between what a character aspires to and what universal forces provide. Stephen Crane’s poem “A Man Said to the Universe” is a good example of cosmic irony, because the universe acknowledges no obligation to the man’s assertion of his own existence.
What is irony and its examples?
The definition of irony as a literary device is a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. For example, the difference between what something appears to mean versus its literal meaning. Irony is associated with both tragedy and humor.
Which is the best definition of the word irony?
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition, don’t worry—it is. Irony is a broad term that encompasses three different types of irony, each with their own specific definition: verbal irony , dramatic irony, and situational irony.
Is the word irony synonymous with the word incongruous?
This sense, however, is not synonymous with “incongruous” but merely a definition of dramatic or situational irony. It is often included in definitions of irony not only that incongruity is present but also that the incongruity must reveal some aspect of human vanity or folly.
When do you use the word ironic in a sentence?
Critics claim the words irony and ironic as they are used in cases lacking a striking reversal, such as “Isn’t it ironic that you called just as I was planning to call you?,” are more properly called coincidence.
What is the difference between irony and satire?
Besides the three main types of irony described above, two other literary devices—sarcasm and satire—share a lot in common with irony: is a bitter, cutting, or mocking taunt used to denigrate a particular person, place, or thing. Satire is a form of social or political critique.