IRONY & SATIRE

IRONY
Irony involves a difference or contrast between appearance and reality that is a discrepancy between what appears to be true and what really is true.

Irony exposes and underscores a contrast between: A. What is and what seems to be. B. What is and what ought to be. C. What is and what one wishes to be. D. What is and what one expects to be.

There are Three Common Types of Irony in Literature

1.Verbal Irony:
Occurs when people say the opposite of what they mean. This is perhaps the most common type of irony. The reader knows that a statement is ironic because of familiarity with the situation.

 There are two kinds of verbal irony : Understatement occurs when one
minimizes the nature of something. Overstatement occurs when one exaggerates something. the nature of

EXAMPLE:
Mother comes into the TV room and discovers her 11-year-old watching South Park instead of doing his homework, as he was set to a dozen minutes ago. Pointing to the screen she says, "Don't let me tempt you from your duties, but when you're finished with your serious studies there, maybe we could take some time out for recreation and do a little math .

2.Situational Irony:
The situation is different from what common sense indicates it is, will be, or ought to be. Is often used to expose hypocrisy and injustice.

EXAMPLE:
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A couple appears in court to end a divorce, but during the process they remarry instead. You buy yourself something after months of saving and then someone gets it for you for Christmas! The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.

3.Dramatic Irony:

Occurs when a character states something that they believe to be true but that the reader knows is not true. The key to dramatic irony is the reader's foreknowledge of coming events. Second readings of stories often increases dramatic irony because of knowledge that was not present in the first reading.

EXAMPLE:
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In a horror movie, suspense is often built up by the use of spooky music. The viewers often know that someone is going to die or get ripped up, or, at least, something is going to jump out because of the music that THEY can hear--and, of course, the characters cannot. Another similar example is when the main character (in a scary movie), is being chased by a killer and we know that the killer is hiding in the closet but the character does not know that.

SATIRE

Is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. Although satire is usually meant to be funny, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit as a weapon.

Satire is nowadays found in many artistic forms of expression, including literature, plays, commentary, and media such as lyrics. Satire covers many different methods including irony, sarcasm, burlesque, parody, exaggeration, juxtaposition, double entendres.

EXAMPLES:

SARCASM: I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception. EXAGGERATION: I am so hungry I could eat a horse. I have a million things to do.

DOUBLE ENTENDRES: