Similarly, Twain uses situational irony to depict and to satirize Miss Watson and Widow Douglas' religious beliefs as well as the hypocrisy of Miss Watson’s guidance. Miss Watson educates Huck about religion and how to act appropriately through telling stories such as “Moses and the Bulrushes” (2), where Moses freed the Hebrew slaves from captivity. However, Miss Watson owns Jim, a slave, contradicting the moral of the story, Moses freeing slaves. Also, it is ironic that Miss Watson brings her slaves in for evening prayers: ”fetched the niggers in and had prayers”(3).Despite against the moral character of Christianity of having slaves, Miss Watson continues to teach these “righteous” behaviors to Huck, creating an ironic situation. Although…
The short story, “The Cask of Amontillado” written by Edgar Allen Poe is about a psychotic man named Montresor who seeks revenge against Fortunato, a man who allegedly committed malice towards him. Poe utilizes verbal irony to establish the story’s events and to create a humorous yet subtle way to show the misfortunes of Fortunato which eventually leads up to his death. For example, “Enough, he said; the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough” (Poe 241). Fortunato is correct because the cough does not kill him, however his death occurs later in the story because of a totally different reason. This conversation contributes to the story’s mood by adding a bit of humor since readers already know from the beginning…
The short story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” is weighted down with a great amount of irony. Edgar Allen Poe uses multiple types of irony throughout the story, “The Cask of Amontillado.” Irony can be seen in multiple form such dramatic, situational and verbal irony all through this story. Poe uses these types of irony in order to build anticipation and suspense during the story. He also uses these types of irony in order to build a sense of humor within the horror. Irony is a very influential characteristics Poe uses to help the reader to stay entertained throughout this short story. Situational irony is one of the major types of irony Poe uses.…
The novel Ethan From by Edith Wharton tells the story of Ethan From and the tragedy he faces in his life. The story mainly focuses on the relationships between and among Ethan, his wife, and his wife’s cousin, with whom he is in love. Wharton uses different literary devices to develop the plot, including irony as one of the most effective. The use of irony in the novel, especially in the climatic sledding scene, greatly adds to the development of the tragedy.…
Arthur Miller, one of America’s greatest playwrights, living or dead, is a master of verbal irony. An examination of three strong examples of verbal irony in Millers play, The Crucible, will prove this out. While Miller started the genre of the tragedy of the common man, and is also know for his thoughtful and decisive plot lines, much of his fame, possibly can be attributed to his brilliant use of language generally, and his use of verbal irony in particular.…
Many factors contribute to the tragic end to one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to detail the plotline of the story to the audience, as well as the indiscretion of Romeo’s decision to kill himself due to his oblivion that Juliet was actually alive in the tomb. Shakespeare also uses the literary device of chance versus choice to portray the reckless decisions made by both Romeo and Juliet when they are faced with situations that they could not control, or “chance”. Finally, Shakespeare employs multiple antagonists in the play to influence their decisions to both run away and kill themselves because they knew their love will never be accepted in Verona. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses various literary…
2) Socrates did not always think that he was wise, many people labeled him as a teacher. Socrates did not really care for this label. He did not really think that he knew much. Socrates had a friend named Chaerephon who went to the oracle the God of Delphi. Cheaerephon asked the oracle is there any one wiser then Socrates, the oracle answered no (21a). Socrates did not understand this and set out to prove the oracle wrong. While out to prove the oracle wrong Socrates realized he is wise but not because he knew everything, but because he realized he knew nothing and didn’t act as if he did.…
Doesn’t the same hold for all the other things? Don’t you call shapes and colours admirable on the account of either some pleasure or benefit or both?…
In his famed work Antigone, Sophocles does what most authors fail to do. Unlike the general crowd, Sophocles uses positive personality traits to bring conflict to his characters. He breaks normal organization of works and pushes the use of character flaws out of view. With this, persuading irony is formed—an irony which immortalizes the play just as a proper burial would immortalize Polyneices. Standard positive traits result in Creon and Antigone’s disgraces.…
This quote is significant because it exemplifies the way Socrates uses HIS method. Socrates uses metaphors in order to humbly enlighten his audience. At times Socrates structure of explanation is perceived to be complex and or difficult to interpret. To simplify what he is attempting to get across usually takes a thorough examination. Socrates is from ancient times and his methodology still suits fit to modern day. Analyzing the context of his circumstances before death alone goes to show the depth of understanding one needs to comprehend his ideology and beliefs. This quote also provides us with the notion of not being selfish and to avoid pretentious. When one thinks about death or the chance of dying when they’re in a predicament because…
In response to the “Lesson in Irony” presented by the author I would have to disagree with his or her opinion. I do not think the author correctly reflects poverty in America. The author is implying that the government program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is promoting dependence on their program for people in poverty who are unable to provide meals for the families. To me it comes across that the author is using sarcasm to get their point across rather than looking at the realities of the people receiving these free meals and Food Stamps.…
Socrates is known as the lover of wisdom and the lover of beauty. His speech is a response to Agathon who comically states that love is beautiful and young, the opposite of Socrates. Socrates inquires is love considered to be a love of something or of nothing? He compares that to how a father is a father to his children and a brother is a brother to his siblings. Socrates expresses that love’s desire suggests that one does not own what he or she loves. Socrates further explains this by giving the example of a healthy man having the desire to remain healthy. One’s desire for things is for the future. The desire rests in the preservation and not the lack thereof. This statement of love being a love of something shows that there is a connection…
One of the major themes that Socrates heavily focused on in his speech was the philosophical ideas of wisdom and a description of Socrates’ own wisdom as well. Older accusers had allegedly claimed that Socrates did not believe in gods, and instead would try to explain phenomenons through physical explanations instead, as well as the fact that Socrates would teach others how to make a weak argument triumph a stronger one by using clever rhetorics. In Socrates’ defense, he has stated that he does not have any kind of competence and expertise in any of these areas. This statement truly divides Socrates from sophists and even Presocratics, as teachers that each belong to these organizations assert that only through experience and examination they can gain…
Socrates suggests that rhetoric, practiced by Gorgias, is not an area of expertise or “tekhne” as they describe. Socrates believes that it is just a branch of flattery. The definition of flattery is such: Flattery is a representation of false arts in Socrates’ opinion. People who try and create good impressions just for excitement and pleasure are practicing flattery. Socrates states that the false arts are standing against the true forms of art, which target the good for its own sake. Socrates tries to prove this in his writing.…
"Listen to me. You mock my blindness, do you?/ But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind" (I, 195-196). With these memorable words, the sightless prophet Teiresias all but paints the entire tragic story of Sophocles' Oedipus the King, one of the most prominent pieces of Greek literary heritage. Greeks knew and loved the story of Oedipus from childhood, just as children today cherish the story of Cinderella. In his version of the beloved tale, Sophocles concentrates his attention on the events directly leading to Oedipus' destruction, portraying Oedipus as a helpless pawn of fate. The most prominent literary device is dramatic irony, primarily of the spoken word, through which--especially in the Prologue--Sophocles captures audience attention, illuminates Oedipus' arrogant personality, and foreshadows the events of the final scenes.…