Irony is the general name given to literary techniques that involve surprising‚ interesting‚or amusing contradictions. 1 Two stories that serve as excellent demonstrations of irony are "The Pardoners Tale" and "The Nun’s Priest’s Tale‚" both from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. Although these two stories are very different‚ they both use irony to teach a lesson. Of the stories‚ "The Pardoners Tale" displays the most irony. First and foremost‚ the entire telling of the story is ironic‚ considering
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In the story “The sniper‚” the use of dramatic and situational irony brings out the theme of war knowing no limit. Irony helps the theme of this story by making the reader notice the details that are important in the story. Dramatic irony is shown when the sniper “considers whether he should risk a smoke. It was dangerous. He decided to take the risk.” In this example‚ the sniper takes the risk of smoking and the readers knows that he will be spotted by the enemy. This displays how people tends
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The Pardoner’s Tale: Irony Nearly every aspect of the Pardoner’s tale is ironic. Irony exists within the story itself and in the relationship between the Pardoner and the story. The ending of the story presents a good message despite the Pardoner’s devious intentions to swindle money from the other pilgrims. By using irony in the Pardoner’s tale‚ Chaucer effectively criticizes the church system. The irony begins as soon as the Pardoner starts his prologue. He tells the other pilgrims
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The role of “dramatic irony” is expressed in many ways through the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare.The dramatic irony plays a very important role in this play because it builds up into the theme. The theme of this play would be ambition. Macbeth had the ambition to become king and that’s what he did‚he got what he wanted.¨ I dare do all that may become a man.¨ ( Act 1 Scene 7 Line 51) Macbeth would do anything it takes to be a man. The way that dramatic irony is shown is in the one
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types of irony such as basic irony which is the use of word to convey a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning. Situational irony which is the moment a characters actions have the opposite of their intended effect. Finally there is dramatic irony which occurs when there is a contrast between the readers knowledge and the knowledge of the characters in the work. However situational irony is what mostly transpires in Kate Chopin short story "The Story of an Hour" Situational irony is used
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An Introduction to Satire sat.ire n. 1. 2. A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony‚ derision‚ or wit. Irony‚ sarcasm‚ or caustic [bitterly cutting/burning] wit used to attack or expose folly‚ vice‚ or stupidity. (dictionary.com) Ian Johnston‚ retired instructor at Malaspina University-College‚ Nanaimo‚ British Columbia‚ Canada‚ offers helpful information in more clearly defining the use and characteristics of satire: Purpose of Satire: “If we see someone or
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poem “Barbie Doll”‚ by Marge Piercy‚ the use of imagery‚ symbolism‚ and irony expresses a tragic‚ cruel society that emphasizes appearance above personality and unrealistic beauty ideals above health and happiness. Throughout the poem a young girl is raised and bullied to believe that her appearance is the most important aspect of her self. Her self worth is torn apart until she dies. The use of imagery‚ symbolism‚ and irony works to deliver a heartbreaking message about the flawed society that existed
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Irony: Oedipus‚ the King. Irony: The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite‚ typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Oedipus‚ the King is a story full of dramatic irony. The irony gives the plot a well rounded shape but also helps the readers‚ or audience follow the story much better. It makes for an extremely interesting read. Oedipus from the start is doomed for failure‚ but what makes this story so “interesting” to the reader’s or audience is
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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. It is not difficult to understand why Sophocles resorts to dramatic irony in the construction of his play. He is working with much the same problem a modern-day playwright would face
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Irony -A Rose for Emily The actions of the town drove her to do what she did and how they criticized her for not being social when they were the cause of her being ostracized. Also there is irony in the southern gentility and aristocracy. The people despised her for her inclusion in that high social class yet you need society to create this illusion of a higher class. You can’t be atop the social hierarchy if society does not recognize you as part of that social hierarchy. A good example is
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