definition essay on irony

Irony Definition

What is irony? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

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 . Most of the time when people use the word irony, they're actually referring to one of these specific types of irony.

Some additional key details about irony:

• The term "irony" comes from the ancient Greek comic character called the "eiron," who pretends ignorance in order to deceive an opponent. 
• Irony overlaps with, but is not identical to, sarcasm and satire . 
• In the last twenty years or so, the term "ironic" has become popular to describe an attitude of detachment or subversive humor, like that of someone who wears a Christmas sweater as a joke. This more recent meaning of ironic is not entirely consistent with the original meaning of irony (a fact which itself might be described as being somewhat ironic). 

Irony Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce irony: eye -run-ee

Irony in Depth

The term "irony" usually refers to three particular types of irony:

• Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. For example, if someone has a painful visit to the dentist and when it's over says, "Well, that was pleasant," they are using verbal irony because the intended meaning of their words (that it  wasn't at all  pleasant) is the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Verbal irony is the most common form of irony. In fact it is so common that when people mention "irony," they often are actually referring to verbal irony. 
• Dramatic irony  Is a plot device that highlights the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the audience. When the audience watching a movie know what's behind that door, but the character in the movie has no idea... that's dramatic irony. 
• Situational irony  refers to an unexpected, paradoxical, or perverse turn of events. It is an example of situational irony when, in the O. Henry story " The Gift of the Magi ," a young wife cuts off her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch, but the husband sells his watch to buy his wife a comb for her beautiful hair. 

Although these three kinds of irony may seem very different at first glance, they all share one important quality: a tension between how things appear and how they really are. For a more in-depth look at each of these devices, please visit their individual pages.

Also, it's worth knowing that sometimes instances of irony don't quite fit into any of these categories, and instead align with the more general definition of irony as something that seems to be one way, but is in fact another way. Put more broadly: sometimes irony is verbal irony, sometimes it's dramatic irony, sometimes it's situational irony, and sometimes it's just irony. 

Irony, Sarcasm, 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:

• Sarcasm is a bitter, cutting, or mocking taunt used to denigrate a particular person, place, or thing. It can sometimes take the form of verbal irony. For instance, if you were to say to someone who had just cut you in line, "What a polite, civilized person you are!" that would be sarcasm in the form of irony, since your meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of your words. Sarcasm very often involves irony. However, it doesn't always have to use irony. For instance, when Groucho Marx says "i never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception," he is being sarcastic, but his words, however witty they are, mean exactly what they say. 
• Satire is a form of social or political critique. Like sarcasm, it often makes use of irony, but it isn't always ironic.

You can get more details on both sarcasm and satire at their specific pages.

Irony Examples

All three forms of irony are used very frequently in literature, theater, and film. In addition, sometimes the irony found in any of these mediums is broader and doesn't fit into any of the specific categories, and is instead just general irony. 

Irony in "The Sell Out"

" The Sell Out " by Simon Rich is a short story recently published in the New Yorker that is full of irony. The story is narrated by a Polish Jew named Herschel, who lives in Brooklyn in the early twentieth century. Herschel accidentally preserves himself in brine for one hundred years, and when he is finally discovered, still alive, in 2017, he is introduced to his great-great-grandson, a young man who lives in present-day Brooklyn. On Herschel's first day, the great-great-grandson Simon tells Herschel about computers. Herschel describes the scene (note that Hershel's English isn't all that great):

It takes him long time, but eventually Simon is able to explain. A computer is a magical box that provides endless pleasure for free. Simon is used to constant access to this box—a never-ending flow of pleasures. When the box stops working—or even just briefly slows down—he becomes so enraged that he curses our God, the one who gave us life and brought us forth from Egypt.

This description is a great example of irony in the most general sense. The humor stems from the disparity between what seems to be true to Herschel (that computers are magic pleasure boxes) and what is actually true (that computers are, well, computers, and that people are kind of stupidly addicted to them). The use of irony is effective here because Hershel's description, as outlandish as it is, actually points to something that is  true about the way people use computers. Therefore, the disparity between "what is" and "what appears to be" to Herschel isn't merely a comical error; rather, it's ironic because it actually points to a greater truth about its subject.

Verbal Irony in Don Quixote

One famously ironic work is Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote .   At one point, the book's narrator states: 

… historians should and must be precise, truthful and unprejudiced, without allowing self-interest or fear, hostility or affection, to turn them away from the path of truth, whose mother is history.

We can identify the above quotation as an example of verbal irony if we consider that the book's hero, Don Quixote, is fundamentally incapable of distinguishing truth from fiction, and any historian of his life would have to follow a double track of reality and fantasy which continuously overlaps, tangles, and flips. One of the most basic premises of the book is that truth is more difficult to identify than it may seem. Therefore, when the narrator vows to follow the single path of truth, he is being ironic; in reality, he believes this to be impossible. 

Dramatic Irony in Othello

The device of dramatic irony is especially well-suited to the theater, which displays constantly shifting sets, scenes, and characters to a stationary audience that, therefore, often has a more complete or "omniscient" perspective compared to any of the characters. One excellent example of dramatic irony can be found in Shakespeare's  Othello . 

Through the play, the audience watches as Iago plots against his commander Othello, and seeks to make Othello believe that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. The audience watches as Iago plots to himself and with others. Sometimes Iago even directly reveals his plans to the audience. Meanwhile, Othello continues to trust Iago, and the audience watches as the the plan they know that Iago is pursuing slowly plays out just as he intended, and Othello eventually murders the entirely innocent Desdemona. The way that the play makes the audience aware of Iago's plot, even as Othello is not, means that the play is full of dramatic irony almost for its entire length. 

Situational Irony in The Producers

In this classic film, two friends come up with a complicated money-making scheme in which they put on a play that they think is absolutely certain to fail. Their plan backfires when the play, entitled "Springtime for Hitler," is so shockingly bad that people think it's a comedy and come to see it in droves. This is an example of situational irony because the outcome is the exact opposite of what the play's producers expected.

Why Do Writers Use Irony?

Irony is a tool that can be used for many different purposes. Though sarcasm and satire are two ways of using irony that are primarily negative and critical, ironic statements can also underscore the fragility, complexity, and beauty of human experience.

• Situational irony often demonstrates how human beings are always at the mercy of an unpredictable universe—and that life can always take an unexpected turn.
• Dramatic irony emphasizes that human knowledge is always partial and often incorrect, while giving the reader or viewer the satisfaction of a more complete understanding than that of the characters.
• In dialogue, verbal irony can display one character's sparkling wit, and another character's thickheadedness. Verbal irony can also create a connection between people who  get  the irony, excluding those who don't.

Ultimately, irony is used to create meaning—whether it's humorous or profound—out of the gap between the way things appear and how they actually are.

Other Helpful Irony Resources

• The Wikipedia page on irony : A helpful overview.
• The dictionary definition of irony : A basic definition, with a bit on the etymology.
• The comedian George Carlin explaining the difference  between situational irony and mere coincidence.
• A site with a helpful index of examples of different types of irony in television, film, video games, and other media.

• PDFs for all 136 Lit Terms we cover
• Downloads of 1909 LitCharts Lit Guides
• Teacher Editions for every Lit Guide
• Explanations and citation info for 40,206 quotes across 1909 books
• Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play
• Dramatic Irony
• Verbal Irony
• Internal Rhyme
• Personification
• Deus Ex Machina
• Onomatopoeia
• End-Stopped Line

Definition of Irony

Irony is a literary device in which contradictory statements or situations reveal a reality that is different from what appears to be true. There are many forms of irony featured in literature. The effectiveness of irony as a literary device depends on the reader’s expectations and understanding of the disparity between what “should” happen and what “actually” happens in a literary work. This can be in the form of an unforeseen outcome of an event, a character ’s unanticipated behavior, or something incongruous that is said.

One of the most famous examples of irony in literature comes from The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. In this story , a newly married couple decides independently to sacrifice and sell what means most to themselves in order to purchase a Christmas gift for the other. Unfortunately, the gifts they receive from each other are intended for the very prized possessions they both sold. As a result, though their sacrifices symbolize the love they have for each other, the actual gifts they receive are all but useless.

Common Examples of Irony

Many common phrases and situations reflect irony. Irony often stems from an unanticipated response ( verbal irony ) or an unexpected outcome ( situational irony ). Here are some common examples of verbal and situational irony:

• Verbal Irony
• Telling a quiet group, “don’t speak all at once”
• Coming home to a big mess and saying, “it’s great to be back”
• Telling a rude customer to “have a nice day”
• Walking into an empty theater and asking, “it’s too crowded”
• Stating during a thunderstorm, “beautiful weather we’re having”
• An authority figure stepping into the room saying, “don’t bother to stand or anything”
• A comedian telling an unresponsive audience , “you all are a great crowd”
• Describing someone who says foolish things as a “genius”
• Delivering bad news by saying, “the good news is”
• Entering a child’s messy room and saying “nice place you have here”
• Situational Irony
• A fire station that burns down
• Winner of a spelling bee failing a spelling test
• A t-shirt with a “Buy American” logo that is made in China
• Marriage counselor divorcing the third wife
• Sending a Christmas card to someone who is Jewish
• Leaving a car wash at the beginning of a downpour
• A dentist needing a root canal
• Going on a blind date with someone who is visually impaired
• A police station being burglarized
• Purchasing a roll of stamps a day before the price to send a letter increases

Examples of Irony in Plot

Irony is extremely useful as a plot device. Readers or viewers of a plot that includes irony often call this effect a “twist.” Here are some examples of irony in well-known plots:

• The Wizard of Oz (L. Frank Baum): the characters already have what they are asking for from the wizard
• Time Enough at Last (episode of “The Twilight Zone”): the main character, who yearns to be left alone to read, survives an apocalyptic explosion but breaks his reading glasses
• Oedipus Rex (Sophocles): Oedipus is searching for a murderer who, it turns out, is himself
• The Cask of Amontillado ( Edgar Allan Poe ): the character “Fortunato” meets with a very unfortunate fate
• Hansel and Gretel (Grimm fairy tale ): the witch, who intended to eat Hansel ad Gretel, is trapped by the children in her own oven

Real Life Examples of Irony

Think you haven’t heard of any examples of irony in real life? Here are some instances of irony that have taken place:

• It is reported that Lady Nancy Astor once said to Winston Churchill that if he were her husband, she would poison his tea. In response, Churchill allegedly said, “Madam, if I were your husband, I’d drink it.”
• Sweden’s Icehotel, built of snow and ice, contains fire alarms.
• Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the official name for fear of long words
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is considered an anti-censorship novel , and it is one of the most consistently banned books in the United States.
• A retired CEO of the Crayola company suffered from colorblindness.
• Many people claimed and/or believed that the Titanic was an “unsinkable” ship.
• There is a hangover remedy entitled “hair of the dog that bit you” that involves consuming more alcohol.
• George H.W. Bush reportedly stated, “I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don’t always agree with them.”

Difference Between Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, and Situational Irony

Though there are many forms of irony as a literary device, its three main forms are verbal, dramatic, and situational. Verbal irony sets forth a contrast between what is literally said and what is actually meant. In dramatic irony , the state of the action or what is happening as far as what the reader or viewer knows is the reverse of what the players or characters suppose it to be. Situational irony refers to circumstances that turn out to be the reverse of what is expected or considered appropriate.

Essentially, verbal and situational irony are each a violation of a reader’s expectations and conventional knowledge. When it comes to verbal irony, the reader may be expecting a character’s statement or response to be one thing though it turns out to be the opposite. For situational irony, the reader may anticipate an event’s outcome in one way though it turns out to happen in a completely different way.

Dramatic Irony is more of a vicarious violation of expectations or knowledge. In other words, the reader/audience is aware of pertinent information or circumstances of which the actual characters are not. Therefore, the reader is left in suspense or conflict until the situation or information is revealed to the characters involved. For example, a reader may be aware of a superhero’s true identity whereas other characters may not know that information. Dramatic irony allows a reader the advantage of knowing or understanding something that a particular character or group of characters does not.

Writing Irony

Overall, as a literary device, irony functions as a means of portraying a contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality. This is effective for readers in that irony can create humor and suspense, as well as showcase character flaws or highlight central themes in a literary work.

It’s essential that writers bear in mind that their audience must have an understanding of the discrepancy between appearance and reality in their work. Otherwise, the sense of irony is lost and ineffective. Therefore, it’s best to be aware of the reader or viewer’s expectations of reality in order to create an entirely different and unexpected outcome.

Here are some ways that writers benefit from incorporating irony into their work:

Plot Device

Irony in various forms is a powerful plot device. Unexpected events or character behaviors can create suspense for readers, heighten the humor in a literary work, or leave a larger impression on an audience. As a plot device, irony allows readers to re-evaluate their knowledge, expectations, and understanding. Therefore, writers can call attention to themes in their work while simultaneously catching their readers off-guard.

Method of Reveal

As a literary device, irony does not only reveals unexpected events or plot twists . It serves to showcase disparity in the behavior of characters, making them far more complex and realistic. Irony can also reveal preconceptions on the part of an audience by challenging their assumptions and expectations. In this sense, it is an effective device for writers.

Difference Between Irony and Sarcasm

Although irony encapsulates several things including situations, expressions, and actions, sarcasm only involves the use of language that is in the shape of comments. Whereas irony could be non-insulting for people, sarcasm essentially means ridiculing somebody or even insulting somebody. Therefore, it is fair to state that although sarcasm could be a part of an element of irony, the irony is a broad term, encompassing several items or ingredients of other devices in it.

Use of Irony in Sentences

• A traffic cop gets suspended for not paying his parking tickets.
• “Father of Traffic Safety” William Eno invented the stop sign, crosswalk, traffic circle, one-way street, and taxi stand—but never learned how to drive.
• Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone but refused to keep one in his study. He feared it would distract him from his work.
• Alan has been a marriage counselor for 10 years and he’s just filing for divorce.
• Oh, fantastic! Now I cannot attend the party I had been waiting for 3 months.

Examples of Irony in Literature

Irony is a very effective literary device as it adds to the significance of well-known literary works. Here are some examples of irony:

Example 1:  The Necklace (Guy de Maupassant)

“You say that you bought a necklace of diamonds to replace mine?” “Yes. You never noticed it, then! They were very like.” And she smiled with a joy which was proud and naïve at once. Mme. Forestier, strongly moved, took her two hands. “Oh, my poor Mathilde! Why, my necklace was paste. It was worth at most five hundred francs!”

In his short story , de Maupassant utilizes situational irony to reveal an unexpected outcome for the main character Mathilde who borrowed what she believed to be a diamond necklace from her friend Mme. Forestier to wear to a ball. Due to vanity and carelessness, Mathilde loses the necklace. Rather than confess this loss to her friend, Mathilde and her husband replace the necklace with another and thereby incur a debt that takes them ten years of labor to repay.

In a chance meeting, Mathilde learns from her friend that the original necklace was fake. This outcome is ironic in the sense that Mathilde has become the opposite of the woman she wished to be and Mme. Forestier is in possession of a real diamond necklace rather than a false one. This ending may cause the reader to reflect on the story’s central themes, including pride, authenticity, and the price of vanity.

Example 2:  Not Waving but Drowning  (Stevie Smith)

Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning .

Example 3:  A Modest Proposal (Jonathan Swift)

A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter .

Swift makes use of verbal irony in his essay in which he advocates eating children as a means of solving the issue of famine and poverty . Of course, Swift does not literally mean what he is saying. Instead, his verbal irony is used to showcase the dire situation faced by those who are impoverished and their limited resources or solutions. In addition, this irony is meant as a call to action among those who are not suffering from hunger and poverty to act in a charitable way towards those less fortunate.

Example 4: 1984 by George Orwell

War is Peace ; Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength .

There are several types of irony involved in the novel, 1984 , by George Orwell . The very first example is the slogan given at the beginning of the novel. This slogan is “ War is Peace ; Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength.” Almost every abstract idea is given beside or parallels to the idea that is contrary to it. These oxymoronic statements show the irony latent in them that although Oceania is at war, yet it is stressing the need for peace and the same is the case with others that although all are slaves of the state, they are calling it freedom. This is verbal irony.

Another example is that of situational irony. It is in the relationship of Winston and Julia that he secretly cherishes to have sexual advances toward her but outwardly hates her. When Julia finds that the place where it must be shunned, Junior Anti-Sex League, is the best place for such actions to do in hiding, it becomes a situational irony.

Synonyms of Irony

Some of the most known synonyms of irony are sarcasm, sardonicism, bitterness, cynicism, mockery, ridicule, derision, scorn, sneering, wryness, or backhandedness.

Related posts:

• Dramatic Irony
• 10 Examples of Irony in Shakespeare
• 15 Irony Examples in Disney Movies
• 11 Examples of Irony in Children’s Literature
• 12 Thought Provoking Examples of Irony in History
• Romeo and Juliet Dramatic Irony
• Brevity is the Soul of Wit
• To Thine Own Self Be True
• Frailty, Thy Name is Woman
• My Kingdom for a Horse
• Lady Doth Protest too Much
• The Quality of Mercy is Not Strain’d
• Ignorance is Strength

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What Is Irony? Definition, Usage, and Literary Examples

Irony definition.

Irony  (EYE-run-ee) is a literary device in which a word or event means something different—and often contradictory—to its actual meaning. At its most fundamental, irony is a difference between reality and something’s appearance or expectation, creating a natural tension when presented in the  context  of a story. In recent years, irony has taken on an additional meaning, referring to a situation or joke that is subversive in nature; the fact that the term has come to mean something different than what it actually does is, in itself, ironic.

The history of the word points to its somewhat deceptive nature. It comes from the Ancient Greek  eiron , meaning a stock character in early theatrical productions who feigns ignorance to fool someone else.

Types of Irony

When someone uses irony, it is typically in one of the three ways: verbal, situational, or dramatic.

Verbal Irony

In this form of irony, the speaker says something that differs from—and is usually in opposition with—the real meaning of the word(s) they’ve used. Take, for example, Edgar Allan Poe’s short story  “The Cask of Amontillado.”  As Montresor encloses Fortunato into the catacombs’ walls, he mocks Fortunato’s plea—”For the love of God, Montresor!”—by replying, “Yes, for the love of God!” Poe uses this to underscore how Montresor’s actions are anything but loving or humane—thus, far from God.

Situational Irony

This occurs when there is a difference between the intention of a specific situation and its result. The result is often unexpected or contrary to a person’s goal. The entire  plot  of L. Frank Baum’s  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz  hinges on situational irony. Dorothy and her friends spend the story trying to reach the Wizard so Dorothy can find a way back home, but in the end, the Wizard informs her that she had the power and knowledge to return home all along.

Dramatic Irony

Here, there is a disparity in how a character understands a situation and how the audience understands it. In Henrik Ibsen’s play  A Doll’s House , the married Nora excitedly anticipates the day when she’ll be able to repay Krogstad, who illegally lent her money. She imagines a future “free from care,” but the audience understands that, because Nora must continue to lie to her husband about the loan, she will never be free.

Not all irony adheres perfectly to one of these definitions. In some cases, irony is simply irony, where something’s appearance on the surface is substantially different from the truth.

Irony vs. Coincidence

Irony is often confused with coincidence. Though there is some overlap between the two terms, they are not the same thing. Coincidence describes two or more unlikely activities that share unexplainable similarities. It is often confused with situational irony. For example, finding out a friend you made in adulthood went to your high school is a coincidence, not an ironic event. Additionally, coincidence isn’t classifiable by type.

Irony, on the other hand, has a much starker and more substantial disparity between intention and result, with the result often the direct opposite of the intention. For example, the fact that the word  lisp  is ironic, considering it refers to an inability to properly pronounce  s  sounds but itself contains an  s .

The Functions of Irony

How an author uses irony depends on their intentions and the story or scene’s larger  context . In much of literature, irony highlights a larger point the author is making—often a commentary on the inherent difficulties and messiness of human existence.

With verbal irony, a writer can demonstrate a character’s intelligence, wit, or snark—or, as in the case of “ The Cask of Amontillado ,” a character’s unmitigated evil. It is primarily used in dialogue and rarely offers up any insight into the plot or meaning of a story.

With dramatic irony, a writer illustrates that knowledge is always a work in progress. It reiterates that people rarely have all the answers in life and can easily be wrong when they don’t have the right information. By giving readers knowledge the characters do not have, dramatic irony keeps readers engaged in the story; they want to see if and when the characters learn this information.

Finally, situational irony is a statement on how random and unpredictable life can be. It showcases how things can change in the blink of an eye and in bigger ways than one ever anticipated. It also points out how humans are at the mercy of unexplained forces, be they spiritual, rational, or matters of pure chance.

Irony as a Function of Sarcasm and Satire

Satire and  sarcasm  often utilize irony to amplify the point made by the speaker.

Sarcasm is a rancorous or stinging expression that disparages or taunts its subject. Thus, it usually possesses a certain amount of irony. Because inflection conveys sarcasm more clearly, saying a sarcastic remark out loud helps make the true meaning known. If someone says “Boy, the weather sure is beautiful today” when it is dark and storming, they’re making a sarcastic remark. This statement is also an example of verbal irony because the speaker is saying something in direct opposition to reality. But an expression doesn’t necessarily need to be verbal to communicate its sarcastic nature. If the previous example appeared in a written work, the application of italics would emphasize to the reader that the speaker’s use of the word  beautiful  is suspect. To further clarify, the remark would closely precede or follow a description of the day’s unappealing weather.

Satire is an entire work that critiques the behavior of specific individuals, institutions, or societies through outsized humor. Satire normally possesses both irony and sarcasm to further underscore the illogicality or ridiculousness of the targeted subject. Satire has a long history in literature and popular culture. The first known satirical work, “The Satire of the Trades,” dates back to the second millennium BCE. It discusses a variety of trades in an exaggerated, negative light, while presenting the trade of writer as one of great honor and nobility.  Shakespeare  famously satirized the cultural and societal norms of his time in many of his plays. In 21st-century pop culture,  The Colbert Report  was a political satire show, in which host Stephen Colbert played an over-the-top conservative political commentator. By embodying the characteristics—including vocal qualities—and beliefs of a stereotypical pundit, Colbert skewered political norms through abundant use of verbal irony. This is also an example of situational irony, as the audience knew Colbert, in reality, disagreed with the kind of ideas he was espousing.

Uses of Irony in Popular Culture

Popular culture has countless examples of irony.

One of the most predominant, contemporary references, Alanis Morissette’s hit song “Ironic” generated much controversy and debate around what, exactly, constitutes irony. In the song, Morissette sings about a variety of unfortunate situations, like rainy weather on the day of a wedding, finding a fly floating in a class of wine, and a death row inmate being pardoned minutes after they were killed. Morissette follows these lines with the question, “Isn’t it ironic?” In reality, none of these situations is ironic, at least not according to the traditional meaning of the word. These situations are coincidental, frustrating, or plain bad luck, but they aren’t ironic. The intended meaning of these examples is not disparate from their actual meanings. For instance, another line claims that having “ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife” is ironic. This would only be ironic, if, say, the person being addressed made knives for a living. Morissette herself has acknowledged the debate and asserted that the song itself is ironic because none of the things she sings about are ironic at all.

Pixar/Disney’s movie  Monsters, Inc.  is an example of situational irony. In the world of this movie, monsters go into the human realm to scare children and harvest their screams. But, when a little girl enters the monster world, it’s revealed that the monsters are actually terrified of children. There are also moments of dramatic irony. As protagonist Sully and Mike try to hide the girl’s presence, she instigates many mishaps that amuse the audience because they know she’s there but other characters have no idea.

In the iconic television show  Breaking Bad , DEA agent Hank Schrader hunts for the elusive drug kingpin known as Heisenberg. But what Hank doesn’t know is that Heisenberg is really Walter White, Hank’s brother-in-law. This is a perfect example of dramatic irony because the viewers are aware of Walter’s secret identity from the moment he adopts it.

Examples of Irony in Literature

1. Jonathan Swift,  “A Modest Proposal”

Swift’s 1729 essay is a satire rich in verbal ironies. Under the guise of a serious adviser, Swift suggests a way that poor Irish communities can improve their lot in life: selling their children to rich people. He even goes a step further with his advice:

I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout.

Obviously, Swift does not intend for anyone to sell or eat children. He uses verbal ironies to illuminate class divisions, specifically many Britons’ attitudes toward the Irish and the way the wealthy disregard the needs of the poor.

2. William Shakespeare,  Titus Andronicus

This epic Shakespeare tragedy is brutal, bloody, farcical, and dramatically ironic. It concerns the savage revenge exacted by General Titus on those who wronged him. His plans for revenge involve Tamora, Queen of the Goths, who is exacting her own vengeance for the wrongs she feels her sons have suffered. The audience knows from the outset what these characters previously endured and thus understand the true motivations of Titus and Tamora.

In perhaps the most famous scene, and likely one of literature’s most wicked dramatic ironies, Titus slays Tamora’s two cherished sons, grinds them up, and bakes them into a pie. He then serves the pie to Tamora and all the guests attending a feast at his house. After revealing the truth, Titus kills Tamora—then the emperor’s son, Saturninus, kills Titus, then Titus’s son Lucius kills Saturninus and so on.

3. O. Henry,  “The Gift of the Magi”

In this short story, a young married couple is strapped for money and tries to come up with acceptable Christmas gifts to exchange. Della, the wife, sells her hair to get the money to buy her husband Jim a watchband. Jim, however, sells his watch to buy Della a set of combs. This is a poignant instance of situational irony, the meaning of which O. Henry accentuates by writing that, although “[e]ach sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for the other,” they were truly “the wise ones.” That final phrase compares the couple to the biblical Magi who brought gifts to baby Jesus, whose birthday anecdotally falls on Christmas Day.

4. Margaret Atwood,  The Handmaid’s Tale

Atwood’s dystopian novel takes place in a not-too-distant America. Now known as Gilead, it is an isolated and insular country run by a theocratic government. Since an epidemic left many women infertile, the government enslaves those still able to conceive and assigns them as handmaids to carry children for rich and powerful men. If a handmaid and a Commander conceive, the handmaid must give the child over to the care of the Commander and his wife. Then, the handmaid is reassigned to another “post.”

A primary character in the story is Serena Joy, a Commander’s wife. In one of the book’s many ironic instances, it is revealed that Serena, in her pre-Gilead days, was a fierce advocate for a more conservative society. Though she now has the society she fought for, women—even Commanders’ wives—have few rights. Thus, she ironically suffers from the very reforms she spearheaded.

Further Resources on Irony

The Writer  has  an article  about writing and understanding irony in fiction.

Penlighten ‘s detailed  list of irony examples  includes works mainly from classic literature.

Publishing Crawl  offers  five ways to incorporate dramatic irony into your writing .

Harvard Library has an in-depth breakdown of  the evolution of irony in postmodern literature .

TV Tropes  is  a comprehensive resource for irony  in everything from literature and anime to television and movies.

Related Terms

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Irony

I. What is Irony?

Irony (pronounced ‘eye-run-ee’) is when there are two contradicting meanings of the same situation, event, image, sentence, phrase, or story.  In many cases, this refers to the difference between expectations and reality.

For example, if you go sight-seeing anywhere in the world today, you will see crowds of people who are so busy taking cell-phone pictures of themselves in front of the sight that they don’t actually look at what they came to see with their own eyes.  This is ironic, specifically, situational irony . This one situation has two opposing meanings that contradict expectations: (1) going to see a sight and prove that you were there (2) not enjoying the thing you went to see.

Irony is often used for critical or humorous effect in literature, music, art, and film (or a lesson).  In conversation, people often use verbal irony to express humor, affection, or emotion, by saying the opposite of what they mean to somebody who is expected to recognize the irony.  “I hate you” can mean “I love you”—but only if the person you’re saying it to already knows that! This definition is, of course, related to the first one (as we expect people’s words to reflect their meaning) and in most cases, it can be considered a form of sarcasm.

II. Examples of Irony

A popular visual representation of irony shows a seagull sitting on top of a “no seagulls” sign. The meaning of the sign is that seagulls are not allowed in the area.  The seagull sitting on the sign not only contradicts it, but calls attention to the absurdity of trying to dictate where seagulls may or may not go, which makes us laugh.

Another example is a staircase leading up to a fitness center, with an escalator running alongside it. All the gym patrons are using the escalator and no one is on the stairs. Given that this is a fitness center, we’d expect that everyone should be dedicated to health and exercise, and so they would use the free exercise offered by the stairs. But instead, they flock to the comfort of the escalator, in spite of the fact that they’ve come all this way just to exercise. Once again, our expectations are violated and the result is irony and humor.

Aleister Crowley, a famous English mystic of the early twentieth century, who taught that a person could do anything if they mastered their own mind, died of heroin addiction. This is ironic because the way he died completely contradicts what he taught.

III. The Importance of Irony

The most common purpose of irony is to create humor and/or point out the absurdity of life. As in the all of the examples above, life has a way of contradicting our expectations, often in painful ways. Irony generally makes us laugh, even when the circumstances are tragic, such as in Aleister Crowley’s failure to beat his addiction. We laugh not because the situations were tragic, but because they violate our expectations.  The contrast between people’s expectations and the reality of the situations is not only funny, but also meaningful because it calls our attention to how wrong human beings can be.  Irony is best when it points us towards deeper meanings of a situation.

IV. Examples of Irony in Literature

In O. Henry’s famous short story The Gift of the Magi , a husband sells his prized watch so that he can buy combs as a gift for his wife. Meanwhile, the wife sells her beautiful hair so she can buy a watch-chain for her husband. The characters ’ actions contradict each other’s expectations and their efforts to give each other gifts make the gifts useless.

Edgar Allen Poe’s The Cask of Amantillado is full of verbal and situational irony, including the name of the main character. He’s called Fortunato (Italian for “fortunate”), in spite of the fact that he’s extremely unlucky throughout the story.

Water, water everywhere, nor any a drop to drink.

This line from Samuel Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” describes the dark irony of a sailor dying of thirst on his boat while he is surrounded by water.

V. Examples of Irony in Pop Culture

Alannis Morisette’s popular song “Ironic” contains such lyrics as:

Rain on your wedding day A free ride when you’ve already paid Good advice that you just didn’t take

These are not examples of irony . They’re just unfortunate coincidences. However, the fact that her song is called “Ironic” and yet has such unironic lyrics is itself ironic. The title contradicts the lyrics of the song. It isn’t, so your expectations are violated.

In Disney’s Aladdin , Aladdin wishes for riches and power so that he can earn the right to marry Princess Jasmine. Thanks to the genie’s magic, he gets all the wealth he could ask for and parades through the streets as a prince. But, ironically, this makes him unattractive to the princess and he finds himself further away from his goal than he was as a poor beggar. In this case, it’s the contrast between Aladdin’s expectations and results which are ironic.

Related terms

Sarcasm is a kind of verbal irony that has a biting or critical tone, although it can be used to express affection between friends It is one of the most common forms of irony in fiction and in real life. We’ve all heard people use verbal irony to mock, insult, or poke fun at someone or something. For example, here’s a famous sarcastic line from The Princess Bride :

Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.

In the scene, Wesley is insulting the intelligence of Vizzini the Sicilian using verbal irony (the word “truly” makes it even more ironic, since Wesley is reassuring Vizzini of the truth of an untrue statement). The line is both ironic and mean, and therefore it’s sarcastic . One needs to be a little careful with sarcasm, since you can easily hurt people’s feelings or make them angry.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

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What Is Irony? Definition and 5 Different Types of Irony to Engage Readers

by Fija Callaghan

Most of us are familiar with irony in our day to day lives—for instance, if you buy a brand new car only to have it break down on its very first ride (situational irony). Or if someone tells you they love your new dress, when what they actually mean is that it flatters absolutely no one and wasn’t even fashionable in their grandparent’s time (verbal irony).

Ironic understatement and ironic overstatement make their way into our conversations all the time, but how do you take those rascally twists of fate and use them to create a powerful story?

There are countless examples of irony in almost all storytelling, from short stories and novels to stage plays, film, poetry, and even sales marketing. Its distinctive subversion of expectation keeps readers excited and engaged, hanging on to your story until the very last page.

What is irony?

Irony is a literary and rhetorical device in which a reader’s expectation is sharply contrasted against what’s really happening. This might be when someone says the opposite of what they mean, or when a situation concludes the opposite of how one would expect. There are five types of irony: Tragic, Comic, Situational, Verbal, and Socratic.

The word irony comes from the Latin ironia , which means “feigned ignorance.” This can be a contradiction between what someone says and what they mean, between what a character expects and what they go on to experience, or what the reader expects and what actually happens in the plot. In all cases there’s a twist that keeps your story fresh and unpredictable.

By using different kinds of irony—and we’ll look at the five types of irony in literature down below—you can manage the reader’s expectations to create suspense and surprise in your story.

What’s not irony?

The words irony and ironic get thrown around a fair bit, when sometimes what someone’s really referring to is coincidence or plain bad luck. So what constitutes irony? It’s not rain on your wedding day, or or a free ride when you’ve already paid. Irony occurs when an action or event is the opposite of its literal meaning or expected outcome.

For example, if the wedding was between a woman who wrote a book called Why You Don’t Need No Man and a man who held a TEDtalk called “Marriage As the Antithesis of Evolution,” their wedding (rainy or not) would be ironic—because it’s the opposite of what we would expect.

Another perfect example of irony would be if you listened a song called “Ironic,” and discovered it wasn’t about irony after all.

Why does irony matter in writing?

Irony is something we all experience, sometimes without even recognizing it. Using irony as a literary technique in your writing can encourage readers to look at your story in a brand new way, making them question what they thought they knew about the characters, theme, and message that your story is trying to communicate.

Subverting the expectations of both your readers and the characters who populate your story world is one of the best ways to convey a bold new idea.

Aesop used this idea very effectively in his moralistic children’s tales, like “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The two title characters are set up to race each other to the finish line, and it seems inevitable that the hare will beat the tortoise easily. By subverting our expectations, and leading the story to an unexpected outcome, the author encourages the reader to think about what the story means and why it took the turn that it did.

The 5 types of irony

While all irony functions on the basis of undermining expectations, this can be done in different ways. Let’s look at the different types of irony in literature and how you can make them work in your own writing.

1. Tragic irony

Tragic irony is the first of two types of dramatic irony—both types always show the reader more than it shows its characters. In tragic dramatic irony, the author lets the reader in on the downfall waiting for the protagonist before the character knows it themselves.

This is a very common and effective literary device in many classic tragedies; Shakespeare was a big fan of using tragic irony in many of his plays. One famous example comes at the end of Romeo and Juliet , when poor Romeo believes that his girlfriend is dead. The audience understands that Juliet, having taken a sleeping potion, is only faking.

Carrying this knowledge with them as they watch the lovers hurtle towards their inevitable, heartbreaking conclusion makes this story even more powerful.

Another example of tragic irony is in the famous fairy tale “Red Riding Hood,” when our red-capped heroine goes to meet her grandmother, oblivious of any danger. The reader knows that the “grandmother” is actually a vicious, hungry wolf waiting to devour the girl, red hood and all. Much like curling up with a classic horror movie, the reader can only watch as the protagonist comes closer and closer to her doom.

This type of irony makes the story powerful, heartbreaking, and deliciously cathartic.

2. Comic irony

Comic irony uses the same structure as dramatic irony, only in this case it’s used to make readers laugh. Just like with tragic irony, this type of irony depends on allowing the reader to know more than the protagonist.

For example, a newly single man might spend hours getting ready for a blind date only to discover that he’s been set up with his former girlfriend. If the reader knows that both parties are unaware of what’s waiting for them, it makes for an even more satisfying conclusion when the two unwitting former lovers finally meet.

TV sitcoms love to use comedic irony. In this medium, the audience will often watch as the show’s characters stumble through the plot making the wrong choices. For example, in the TV series Friends , one pivotal episode shows a main character accepting a sudden marriage proposal from another—even though the audience knows the proposal was made unintentionally.

By letting the audience in on the secret, it gives the show an endearing slapstick quality and makes the viewer feel like they’re a part of the story.

3. Situational irony

Situational irony is when a story shows us the opposite of what we expect. This might be something like an American character ordering “shop local” buttons from a factory in China, or someone loudly championing the ethics of a vegan diet while wearing a leather jacket.

When most people think about ironic situations in real life, they’re probably thinking of situational irony—sometimes called cosmic irony. It’s also one of the building blocks of the twist ending, which we’ll look at in more detail below.

The author O. Henry was a master of using situational irony. In his short story “ The Ransom of Red Chief ,” two desperate men decide to get rich quick by kidnapping a child and holding him for ransom. However, the child in question turns out to be a horrendous burden and, after some negotiating, the men end up paying the parents to take him off their hands. This ironic twist is a complete reversal from the expectation that was set up at the beginning.

When we can look back on situational irony from the past, it’s sometimes called historical irony; we can retrospectively understand that an effort to accomplish one thing actually accomplished its opposite.

4. Verbal irony

Verbal irony is what we recognize most in our lives as sarcasm. It means saying the opposite of your intended meaning or what you intend the reader to understand, usually by either understatement or overstatement. This can be used for both tragic and comic effect.

For example, in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar , Mark Anthony performs a funeral speech honoring the character Brutus. He repeatedly calls him “noble” and “an honorable man,” even though Brutus was actually involved in the death of the man for which the funeral is being held. Mark Anthony’s ironic overstatement makes the audience aware that he actually holds the opposite regard for the villain, though he is sharing his inflammatory opinion in a tactful, politically safe way.

Verbal irony is particularly common in older and historical fiction in which societal constraints limited what people were able to say to each other. For example, a woman might say that it was dangerous for her to walk home all alone in the twilight, when what she really meant is that she was open to having some company.

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice , the two younger girls wail that they’ve hurt their ankles, hoping to elicit some sympathy from the strong arms of the men. You can use this kind of rhetorical device to enhance your character development.

5. Socratic irony

Socratic irony is actually a little bit like dramatic irony, except that it happens between two characters rather than between the characters and the reader. This type of irony happens when one character knows something that the other characters don’t.

It’s a manipulative technique that a character uses in order to achieve a goal—to get information, to gain a confession, or to catch someone in a lie. For example, police officers and lawyers will often use this technique to trip someone up: They’ll pretend they don’t know something and ask questions in order to trick someone into saying something they didn’t intend.

Usually Socratic irony is used in a sly and manipulative way, but not always; a teacher might use the Socratic irony technique to make a child realize they know more about a subject than they thought they did, by asking them leading questions or to clarify certain points. Like verbal irony, Socratic irony involves a character saying something they don’t really mean in order to gain something from another character.

Is irony the same as a plot twist?

The “plot twist” is a stylistic way of using situational irony. In the O. Henry example we looked at above, the author sets up a simple expectation at the start of the story: the men will trade in the child for hard cash and walk away happy. Alas, life so rarely goes according to plan. By the time we reach the story’s conclusion, our expectation of the story has been completely twisted around in a fun, satisfying way.

Not all situational irony is a plot twist, though. A plot twist usually comes either at the end or at the midpoint of your story. Situational irony can happen at any time as major plot points, or as small, surprising moments that help us learn something about our characters or the world we live in.

You’ll often see plot twists being compared to dramatic irony, because they have a lot in common. Both rely on hidden information and the gradual unfurling of secrets. The difference is that with a plot twist, the reader is taken by surprise and given the new information right along with the characters. With dramatic irony, the reader is in on the trick and they get to watch the characters being taken off guard.

Both dramatic irony and plot twists can be used quite effectively in writing. It’s up to you as the writer to decide how close you want your readers and your characters to be, and how much you want them to experience together.

How to use irony in your own writing

One of the great advantages of irony is that it forces us to look at things in a new way. This is essential when it comes to communicating theme to your reader.

In literature, theme is the underlying story that’s being told—a true story, a very real message or idea about the world we live in, the way we behave within it, or how we can make it a better place. In order to get that message across to our readers, we need to give them a new way to engage with that story. The innate subversion of expectations in irony is a wonderful way to do this.

For example, the classic fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast” uses irony very effectively to communicate its theme: don’t judge a person by their appearance.

Based on our preconceptions of this classic type of fairy tale, we would go in expecting the handsome young soldier to be the hero and the beastly monster to be the adversary. We might also expect the beautiful girl to be helpless and weak-spirited, waiting for her father to come in and save her. In this story, however, it’s the girl who saves her foolish father, the handsome soldier who shows himself to be the true monster, and the beast who becomes a hero to fight for those he cares about.

Not only do these subversions make for a powerful and engaging story, they do something very important for our readers: they make them ask themselves why they had these preconceptions in the first place. Why do we expect the handsome soldier to be noble and kind? Why do we expect the worst from the man with the beastly face before even giving him the chance to speak?

It’s these honest, sometimes uncomfortable questions, more than anything else, that make the theme real for your reader.

When looking for ways to weave theme throughout your story, consider what preconceived ideas your reader might be coming into the story with that might stand in the way of what you’re trying to say. Then see if you can find ways to make those ideas stand on their head. This will make the theme of your story more convincing, resonant, and powerful.

The one mistake to never make when using irony in your story

I’m going to tell you one of life’s great truths, which might be a bit difficult for some people to wrap their heads around. Embrace it, and you’ll leave your readers feeling a lot happier and more satisfied at the end of your story. Here it is:

You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room.

Have you ever been faced with a plot twist in a story and thought, “but that doesn’t make any sense”? Or realized that a surprising new piece of information rendered the events of the plot , or the effective slow build of characterization, absolutely meaningless?

These moments happen because the author became so enamored with the idea of pulling a fast one on the reader, revealing their cleverly assembled sleight-of-hand with the flourish of a theater curtain, that they forget the most important thing: the story .

When using irony in your work, the biggest mistake you can make is to look at it like a shiny, isolated hat trick. Nothing in your story is isolated; every moment fits together as a thread in a cohesive tapestry.

Remember that even if an ironic turn is unexpected, it needs to make sense within the world of your story. This means within the time and place you’ve created—for instance, you wouldn’t create an ironic twist in a medieval fantasy by suddenly having a character whip out a cellphone—but also within the world of your characters.

For example, if it turns out your frail damsel in distress is actually a powerful sorceress intent on destroying the hero, that’s not something you can just drop into your story unannounced like a grenade (no matter how tempting it might be). You need to begin laying down story seeds for that moment right from the beginning. You want your reader to be able to go back and say “ ohhh , I see what they did there. It all makes sense now.”

Irony—in particular the “twist ending”—can be fun, surprising, and unexpected, but it also needs to be a natural progression of the world you’ve created.

Irony is a literary device that reveals new dimension

To understand irony, we need to understand expectation in our audience or readers. When you’re able to manipulate these expectations, you engage your audience in surprising ways and maybe even teach them something new.

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of irony.

As a literary device, irony is a contrast or incongruity between expectations for a situation and what is reality. This can be a difference between the surface meaning of something that is said and the underlying meaning. It can also be a difference between what might be expected to happen and what actually occurs. The definition of irony can further be divided into three main types: verbal, dramatic, and situational. We describe these types in detail below.

The word “irony” comes from the Greek character Eiron, who was an underdog and used his wit to overcome a stronger character. The Greek word eironeía derived from this character and came to mean “dissimulation” or “purposely affected ignorance.” The word then entered Latin as ironia, and eventually became common as a figure of speech in English in the 16th century.

Irony is sometimes confused with events that are just unfortunate coincidences. For example, Alanis Morrissette’s song “Ironic” contains many events that are not ironic in any sense. She cites “rain on your wedding day” and “a traffic jam when you’re already late” as ironic situations, yet these are merely bad luck.

Types of Irony

Verbal irony.

Verbal irony takes place when the speaker says something in sharp contrast to his or her actual meaning. The speaker often makes a statement that seems very direct, yet indicates that the opposite is in fact true, or what the speaker really means. Looking at Alanis Morrissette’s “Ironic” again, the one true instance of irony comes when the man whose plane is going down says, “Well, isn’t this nice.” Clearly, the plane crash is anything but nice, and thus this utterance conveys the opposite of the man’s true feelings. Unlike dramatic and situational irony , verbal irony is always intentional on the part of the speaker.

Verbal irony can also consist of “ironic similes”, which are comparisons in which the two things are not alike at all. For example, “as soft as sandpaper” or “as warm as ice.” These similes mean that the thing in question is actually not soft or warm at all. The author Daniel Handler (who writes with the pen name Lemony Snicket) takes ironic similes to an extreme by qualifying them so they actually become real comparisons. For example: “Today was a very cold and bitter day, as cold and bitter as a cup of hot chocolate, if the cup of hot chocolate had vinegar added to it and were placed in a refrigerator for several hours.”

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has more information than one or more characters in a work of literature. This literary device originated in Greek tragedy and often leads to tragic outcomes. For example, in Shakespeare’s Othello, the audience is aware that Othello’s best friend Iago is villainous and attempting to bring Othello down. The audience is also aware that Desdemona has been faithful, though Othello doesn’t know this. The audience can foresee the imminent disaster.

There are three stages of dramatic irony: installation, exploitation, and resolution. In the case of Othello, the installation is when Iago persuades Othello to suspect that Desdemona is having an affair with a man named Cassio. Iago then exploits the situation by planting Desdemona’s handkerchief, a gift from Othello, in Cassio’s room. The resolution is only after Othello has murdered Desdemona when her friend Emilia reveals Iago’s scheme.

Situational Irony

Situational irony consists of a situation in which the outcome is very different from what was expected. There are contradictions and contrasts present in cases of situational irony. For example, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the citizens of the Emerald City assume that Oz is great and all-powerful, yet the man behind the curtain is revealed to be an old man with no special powers.

Other types of irony:

• Cosmic Irony : Cosmic irony, also known as “irony of fate”, is present in stories that contain gods who have different agendas than humans. These gods, or the Fates, may play with the lives of humans for their own amusement. The irony lies in contrast between what the humans expect and what actually happens. Though this is most common in Greek legends, it is also present in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles where the immortals play with Tess’s life.
• Historical Irony : Historical irony relates to real events that happened that, when seen in retrospect, had vastly different outcomes than predicted at the time. For example, Chinese alchemists discovered gunpowder when looking for a way to create immortality. The result of their discovery was the opposite of what they were looking for.
• Socratic Irony : The philosopher Socrates would pretend to be ignorant about the topic under debate to draw out the nonsensical arguments of his opponent. This is particularly evident in the Platonic dialogues. This technique is an example of dramatic irony because Socrates pretended to have less information than he really did.

Difference between Irony and Sarcasm

Though there are many similarities between verbal irony and sarcasm , they are not equivalent. However, there are many dissenting opinions about how, exactly, they are different. For example, the Encyclopedia Britannica simply explains that sarcasm is non-literary irony. Others have argued that while someone employing verbal irony says the opposite of what that person means, sarcasm is direct speech that is aggressive humor. For example, when Winston Churchill told Bessie Braddock that “I shall be sober in the morning, and you will still be ugly,” he was being sarcastic and not employing any irony.

Common Examples of Irony

• Verbal irony : “What a pleasant day” (when it is raining heavily)
• Situational irony : Referring to WWI as “the war to end all wars”
• Situational irony : In 1925 when the New York Times declared that the crossword puzzle was a craze that was “dying out fast”
• Dramatic irony : The movie “The Truman Show”, where only Truman doesn’t know that he’s being filmed at all times

Examples of Irony in Literature

Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

In this famous love story the audience can foresee the tragic ending long before Romeo and Juliet themselves know what’s going to happen. At the end of the play, Romeo finds Juliet and believes her to be dead though the audience knows she’s taken a sleeping potion. Romeo kills himself with this false knowledge. Juliet then wakes up and, finding Romeo truly dead, kills herself as well. This irony example is one of dramatic irony as the audience has more information than the characters.

MARK ANTONY: But Brutus says he was ambitious; / And Brutus is an honourable man.

( Julius Caesar by Shakespeare)

In this quote from Julius Caesar, Mark Antony is seemingly praising Brutus after the assassination of Julius Caesar. However, this example of irony is one of verbal irony, since Mark Antony is in fact implying that Brutus is neither ambitious nor honorable.

“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

In this short story, a young, poor couple struggle with what to buy each other for Christmas. The woman cuts her hair and sells it to buy a watchband for her husband. Meanwhile, the husband sells his watch face to buy combs for his wife’s hair. This is an example of situational irony, since the outcome is the opposite of what both parties expect.

“The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen

In this short story, and later in the Disney adaptation, a mermaid falls in love with a prince and saves him from drowning. Desperate to be with him, the mermaid makes a deal with a sea witch to trade her voice for human legs. Though the prince is charmed by the mermaid he doesn’t realize who she really is because she no longer has a voice. This is an example of dramatic irony where the audience has more information than the prince.

Test Your Knowledge of Irony

1. Choose the best irony definition: A. An unfortunate coincidence in which the worst possible ending comes to pass. B. A contrast between expectations for what is going to happen and what actually does happen. C. A biting comment meant to be both humorous and true.

2. Is the following an example of situational, dramatic, or verbal irony?

In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus kills his own father without realizing that the man is actually his father. This act brings on a plague and Oedipus swears that he will murder the man responsible, not knowing that he himself is responsible.

A. Dramatic irony B. Situational irony C. Verbal irony

3. American President John F. Kennedy’s final reported conversation was with a woman who announced, “Mr. President, you can’t say that Dallas doesn’t love you.” JFK agreed, “That’s very obvious.” Why is this an example of irony?

A. The event was very tragic, and thus it was ironic. B. JFK was aware that he was in danger, and thus employed verbal irony when he asserted that Dallas must love him, knowing this wasn’t the case. C. In retrospect, this conversation was ironic because the outcome of the situation was completely at odds with what anyone would have expected to happen.

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What is irony? Well, it’s like rain on your wedding day. It’s a free ride, when you’ve already paid. ’90s radio is helpful here.

Okay; but what is irony? It can often be easier to point to specific ironies than to find a definition of irony itself that hits home.

Irony involves contradiction of our perceived reality.

At root, irony involves contradiction of our perceived reality. This powerful literary device is often misunderstood or misused, but when wielded correctly, it can reveal deeper truths by highlighting the many strange contradictions and juxtapositions woven through life.

This article examines the different types of irony in literature, including dramatic irony, situational irony, verbal irony, and others. Along the way, we look at different irony examples in literature, and end on tips for using this device in your own writing.

But first, let’s further clarify what this tricky writing technique means. What is irony in literature?

Irony Definition: What is Irony in Literature?

Irony occurs when a moment of dialogue or plot contradicts what the audience expects from a character or story. In other words, irony in literature happens when the opposite of what you’d expect actually occurs.

Irony is a moment in which the opposite of what’s expected actually occurs, a contrast between “what seems to be” and “what is.”

To put it another way: irony is a contrast between “what seems to be” and “what is.”

For example, let’s say you’re having an awful day. You got stuck in traffic, your head hurt, it was storming all afternoon, the deli messed up your lunch order, and your son’s school called to say he got in a fight. Finally, you get home and check your email, and see a message from the dream job you just interviewed for. You’re expecting the worst, because it’s been such a crappy day, and—you got the job.

As a literary technique, this device primarily accomplishes two goals. First, it allows you to juxtapose contradictory ideas in your writing. By diverging from what the reader or character expects, an ironic plot or dialogue exchange allows opposing ideas to sit side-by-side, creating a fertile space for interpretation and creative inquiry.

Second, irony in literature emulates real life. We’ve all had days like the one described above, where everything seems awful and suddenly the best news reaches us (or vice versa). The real world follows no logical trajectory, and we find ourselves surrounded by competing ideas and realities. Irony makes talking about these contradictions possible.

Irony vs. Sarcasm

Because both irony and sarcasm come across as wry statements about certain situations, people often confuse the two terms. However, sarcasm has a much narrower use.

Sarcasm only occurs in dialogue: you can speak something with sarcasm, but an event cannot be sarcastic. Additionally, sarcasm is usually intended to be mean or point at the folly of a certain person. By speaking wryly or ironically about another person’s faults, an individual’s use of sarcasm will often be insulting or derogatory, even if both parties understand that the sarcasm is simple banter. (Sarcasm comes from the Greek for “cutting flesh.”)

For example, let’s say someone you know just came to a very obvious or delayed realization. You might say to them “nice thinking, Einstein,” obviously implying that their intelligence is on the other side of the bell curve.

So, the difference between irony vs. sarcasm is that sarcasm is a verbal insult that points towards someone’s flaws ironically, whereas irony encompasses contradictory ideas, statements, and events. As such, sarcasm is sometimes a form of irony, but only partially falls under a much broader umbrella.

Irony vs. Satire

Satire is another term that’s often confused with irony and sarcasm. Satire, like sarcasm, is a form of expression; but, satire is also a literary genre with its own complex history.

Satire is the art of mocking human follies. Often, satire has the goal of critiquing or correcting those follies. A good piece of satire will hold a mirror up against the reader, against politicians, or against society at large. By recognizing, perhaps, our own logical fallacies or erroneous ways of living, satire hopes to help people live more honest, moral lives (as defined by the satirist).

Irony is certainly an element of good satire. We all act in contradictory or hypocritical ways. Irony in satire helps the satirist illuminate those contradictions. But, the two are fundamentally different: irony notices contradictions, whereas satire wields this and other devices to mock human follies.

Learn more about satire (and how to write it!) here:

Satire Definition: How to Write Satire

Different Types of Irony in Literature

There are, primarily, three different types of irony in literature: dramatic, situational, and verbal irony. Each form has its own usage in literature, and there are also many sub-types of irony that fall under each of these categories.

For now, let’s define each type and look at specific irony examples in literature.

Dramatic Irony Definition

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the story’s characters do not. As such, fictional characters make erroneous decisions and face certain avoidable consequences. If only they had known what the audience knows!

Dramatic irony definition: when the audience knows something that the story’s characters do not, resulting in poor decision making or ironic consequences.

You will most likely find dramatic irony examples in plays, screenplays, and other forms of theater. Shakespeare employs this device often, as do playwrights like Henrik Ibsen, Tennessee Williams, and the filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. Nonetheless, fiction writers also employ dramatic irony, particularly when the story involves multiple narrative points of view .

Dramatic Irony Examples in Literature

Shakespeare was truly a master of dramatic irony, as he employed the device to entertain, captivate, and frustrate his audience.

In Romeo & Juliet , Juliet is apparently dead, having taken a strong sleeping potion, and is laid in the Capulet crypt. The message was supposed to be conveyed to Romeo that, upon her waking, the two would run off together. But, this message never arrives, so when Romeo hears of Juliet’s death and goes to her tomb to mourn, he kills himself with poison. The audience knows that Juliet is just asleep, making Romeo’s death a particularly tragic example of dramatic irony.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket is also laden with dramatic irony examples. In The Reptile Room , the narrator addresses this directly:

Of course, this is a series written towards children, so the direct translation of what dramatic irony means might seem a bit juvenile for adult fiction writers. Nonetheless, this excerpt defines the precise feeling that dramatic irony can bestow upon the reader, illustrating it through the contrast of Uncle Monty’s dialogue against the impending doom the Baudelaires face.

(Note: this is not an example of verbal irony, because Uncle Monty’s dialogue is not intentionally contradicting what he means. More on this later in the article.)

Situational Irony Definition

Also known as irony of fate, of events, or of circumstance, situational irony describes plot events with unexpected or contradictory outcomes.

Situational irony definition: plot events with unexpected or contradictory outcomes.

Let’s say, for example, your local fire department burns down. Or the new moisturizer you bought actually wrinkles your skin. Or, heaven forbid, you finish working on your manuscript, click “save” for the final time, and your laptop completely shuts down. All of these possibilities point towards the unpredictability of the future—as do the below situational irony examples in literature.

Situational Irony Examples in Literature

Situational irony happens when a certain event or reaction is expected, and an entirely contradictory one occurs.

For example, in the story “ The Gift of the Magi ” by O. Henry, two young lovers have no money to spare, but are trying to find each other the perfect Christmas gift. The girl, Della, has beautiful hair, which she cuts and sells to buy Jim a fob chain for his watch. Jim, in turn, sells his watch to buy Della some combs for her hair. As a result, each lover’s gift turns out to be useless, since each has sold their most prized possession to show their love to each other.

The narrator summarizes this beautiful moment of situational irony thus:

Of course, ironic situations occur all the time in real life, so there are many situational irony examples in nonfiction. This excerpt comes from the essay “ My Mother’s Eyes ” by Henriette Lazaridis:

Certainly, the speaker would not expect to see herself resembled in her mother’s gaunt, dying face, but that’s exactly what happens. This moment of situational irony encourages the reader to examine the relationship between death, family, and heritage.

Verbal Irony Definition

Verbal irony refers to the use of dialogue where one thing is spoken, but a contrasting meaning is intended. The key word here is intentional: verbal irony is not merely lying or speaking a faux pas, it’s an intentional use of contrasting language to describe something in particular.

Verbal irony definition: An instance of dialogue where one thing is spoken, but a contrasting meaning is intended.

We do this all the time in conversational English. For example, you might walk into a storm and say “wonderful weather we’re having!” Or, if someone is wearing a jacket you love, you might say “that’s hideous!”

We’ve already contrasted irony vs. sarcasm, so as you may have inferred, verbal irony can sometimes be a form of sarcasm. (For example, telling someone with an ugly shirt “nice shirt!”) That said, verbal irony is not always sarcasm, so remember that sarcasm is intentionally used to insult someone’s folly.

Verbal Irony Examples in Literature

Because verbal irony is always spoken, you will almost always see this device utilized in dialogue. (The only time it isn’t used in dialogue is when a narrator, usually first person, speaks to the audience ironically.)

In George Bernard Shaws’ Pygmalian , Professor Higgins’ housekeeper has just told the professor not to swear. To this he replies:

You and I might not think “what the devil” counts as swearing, but it’s certainly ironic for Professor Higgins to invoke the devil after claiming he never swears.

Many more verbal irony examples come to us, again, from Shakespeare. In Othello , the character Iago—a complex antagonist who feigns loyalty to Othello but seeks his demise—proclaims “My lord, you know I love you.” The audience knows that Iago hates Othello, but Othello himself does not know this, making this bit of dialogue particularly ironic.

In a different Shakespeare play, Julius Caesar , Caesar describes Brutus (his later-betrayer) as an “honorable man.” At this point, the audience knows that Brutus plans to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar.

With verbal irony, sometimes the dialogue is understood as ironic by the other characters, and sometimes only by the audience. Either way, an attentive reader will recognize when a character means the opposite of what they say, or when their intentions simply do not align with their speech.

Irony in Poetry

Most of the irony examples in this article have come from fiction. But, poets certainly make use of this literary device as well, though often much more subtly.

Irony occurs in poetry when the poet wants to illuminate contradictions or awkward juxtapositions. T. S. Eliot gives us a great example in “ The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock .” The speaker describes a beautiful evening as “a patient etherized on a table.” It’s a rather dramatic metaphor , incongruous with the beauty of the evening itself. Eliot’s poem is, among other things, a lament of modernity, which he believes is corrupting all the beauty in the world. By using a modern medical procedure to describe the natural world, Eliot’s hyperbolic metaphor imparts a subtle, yet vicious, irony about the modern day.

Of course, irony can operate in poetry in much more obvious ways. Here’s an example from Louise Glück, “ Telemachus’ Detachment “:

When I was a child looking at my parents’ lives, you know what I thought? I thought heartbreaking. Now I think heartbreaking, but also insane. Also very funny.

Telemachus is, in Greek mythology, the son of Odysseus and Penelope. This short poem is a commentary on that wild myth (The Odyssey). It is also deeply relatable to any child wondering at their parents’ insane ways of living. It is a poem whose central device is irony, and it uses this device to draw a connection between myth and reality, which are much more similar to one another than they seem.

Venn Diagram

The below Venn diagram compares and contracts the different types of irony in literature.

Other Types of Irony in Literature

You may have heard of some other types of irony, such as socratic, historical, or cosmic irony. These forms are technically subcategories of the above 3, but it is useful to make these distinctions, especially as they relate to particular genres of literature.

Cosmic irony in literature: an instance where a character’s outcome in the story is outside of their control. For example, in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles , the titular Tess is a mostly-innocent protagonist to whom one thing after another goes wrong. Despite her innocence, a malevolent series of misfortunes forces her to murder someone, resulting in her imprisonment and execution. The narrator then writes that “Justice was done, and the President of the Immortals, in Aeschylean phrase, had ended his sport with Tess.” In other words, Tess is the plaything of fate, and the justice bestowed upon her is extremely ironic, given she is the victim of poor circumstance. This is a subcategory of situational irony (although the narrator’s use of the word Justice is, indeed, verbal irony).

Historical irony in literature: a situation that, in hindsight, was deeply ironic. There are countless examples of this in the real world. For example, gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists searching for the elixir of life—if anything, they created an elixir of death. Or, the introduction of the Kudzu vine in the United States was intended to prevent soil erosion, particularly after the dust bowl in the 1930s. Kudzu became an invasive species, choking plants of resources instead of preserving the ecosystem. This form of situational irony occurs countless times in history, showing up whenever a person’s or government’s decision backfires tremendously.

Socratic irony in literature:  the use of verbal irony as part of the Socratic method. The teacher will either pretend to be dumb, or pretend that the student is wise, to draw out the flaws in a student’s argument. While you don’t see this often in literature, it’s a possible rhetorical strategy for teachers, lawyers, and even comedians.

Using Irony in Your Own Writing

The discrepancy between “what seems to be” and “what is” can prove particularly useful for writers. Irony helps writers delay the reveal of crucial information, challenge the reader’s worldview, and juxtapose contradictory ideas and themes. As such, this literary device can pull together your stories and plays, so long as you wield it effectively and with discretion.

Here are some possibilities for your writing:

Building tension

When the audience knows something that the characters don’t, we can only watch in horror as those characters make ill-informed decisions.

Playing with fate

Why do bad things happen to good people? A commentary on fate—or, at the very least, the seeming randomness of the universe—often goes hand-in-hand with this literary device.

Stringing the plot forward

If every character made perfect decisions, there would be no plot. Irony helps throw characters into challenging, even preventable situations, forcing the story to reckon with that character’s imperfections.

Generating conflict

For many stories, conflict is the engine that drives the plot forward. When a character’s actions and words don’t match, or when the world’s treatment of a character is opposite that character’s moral purity, a good story ensues.

Challenging the reader

What does it mean for society when a fire department burns down, a lung doctor smokes cigarettes, or a government causes chaos by trying to instill democracy? These themes are aided and expounded by the use of irony in literature.

Entertaining exchanges

Whether the narrator speaks wryly to the audience, or two characters have witty banter, verbal irony certainly makes a text more entertaining.

Juxtaposition

What does it mean to love the person you hate? Can justice be served to the most unjust of human beings? The juxtaposition of contradictory themes allows us to examine the world with nuance, discretion, and creativity.

Making fiction true-to-life

We all find ourselves from time to time in the midst of ironic situations. Including irony in your stories isn’t just a clever literary device, it’s an attempt at making your stories as believable as possible.

Master the Different Types of Irony at Writers.com

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Sean Glatch

Excellent explanation of terms that are easy to confuse

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Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech)

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• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. Similarly, irony may be a statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea.

Adjective: ironic or ironical . Also known as  eironeia , illusio , and the dry mock .

The Three Kinds of Irony

Three kinds of irony are commonly recognized:

• Verbal irony is a trope in which the intended meaning of a statement differs from the meaning that the words appear to express.
• Situational irony involves an incongruity between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs.
• Dramatic irony is an effect produced by a narrative in which the audience knows more about the present or future circumstances than a character in the story.

In light of these different varieties of irony, Jonathan Tittler has concluded that irony

"has meant and means so many different things to different people that rarely is there a meeting of minds as to its particular sense on a given occasion."

(Quoted by Frank Stringfellow in The Meaning of Irony , 1994.)

From the Greek, "feigned ignorance"

Pronunciation:

Irony in academics.

Academicians and others have explained irony in its various forms, including how to use it and how others have used it, as these quotes show.

D.C. Muecke

"Irony may be used as a rhetorical device to enforce one's meaning. It may be used . . . as a satiric device to attack a point of view or to expose folly, hypocrisy, or vanity. It may be used as a heuristic device to lead one's readers to see that things are not so simple or certain as they seem, or perhaps not so complex or doubtful as they seem. It is probable that most irony is rhetorical, satirical, or heuristic. ... "In the first place irony is a double-layered or two-story phenomenon. ... In the second place, there is always some kind of opposition that may take the form of contradiction, incongruity, or incompatibility. ... In the third place, there is in irony an element of 'innocence.'" — The Compass of Irony . Methuen, 1969

R. Kent Rasmussen

"David Wilson, the title character of Pudd'nhead Wilson , is a master of irony. In fact, his use of irony permanently marks him. When he first arrives in Dawson's Landing in 1830, he makes an ironic remark that the villagers cannot understand. Distracted by the annoying yelping of an unseen dog, he says, 'I wished I owned half of that dog.' When asked why, he replies, 'Because I would kill my half.' He does not really want to own half the dog, and he probably does not really want to kill it; he merely wants to silence it and knows killing half the dog would kill the whole animal and achieve the desired effect. His remark is a simple example of irony, and the failure of the villagers to understand it causes them immediately to brand Wilson a fool and nickname him 'pudd'nhead.' The very title of the novel is, therefore, based on irony, and that irony is compounded by the fact that Wilson is anything but a fool." — Bloom's How to Write About Mark Twain . Infobase, 2008

Bryan Garner

"A classic example of irony is Mark Antony's speech in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar . Although Antony declares, 'I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him,' and declares that the assassins are 'honorable men,' he means just the opposite." — Garner's Modern American Usage . Oxford University Press, 2009

Barry Brummett

"It is sometimes said that we live in an age of irony. Irony in this sense may be found, for example, all throughout The Daily Show with Jon Stewart . Suppose you hear a political candidate give a terribly long speech, one that rambles on and on without end. Afterward, you might turn to a friend sitting next to you, roll your eyes, and say, 'Well, that was short and to the point, wasn't it?' You are being ironic. You are counting on your friend to turn the literal meaning of your expression, to read it as exactly the opposite of what your words actually mean. ... "When irony works, it helps to cement social bonds and mutual understanding because the speaker and hearer of irony both know to turn the utterance, and they know that the other one knows they will turn the utterance. ... "Irony is a kind of winking at each other, as we all understand the game of meaning reversal that is being played." — Techniques of Close Reading . Sage, 2010

"Irony has always been a primary tool the under-powered use to tear at the over-powered in our culture. But now irony has become the bait that media corporations use to appeal to educated consumers. ... It's almost an ultimate irony that those who say they don't like TV will sit and watch TV as long as the hosts of their favorite shows act like they don't like TV, either. Somewhere in this swirl of droll poses and pseudo-insights, irony itself becomes a kind of mass therapy for a politically confused culture. It offers a comfortable space where complicity doesn't feel like complicity. It makes you feel like you are counter-cultural while never requiring you to leave the mainstream culture it has so much fun teasing. We are happy enough with this therapy that we feel no need to enact social change." — Review of The Daily Show , 2001

Jon Winokur

"Alanis Morissette's 'Ironic,' in which situations purporting to be ironic are merely sad, random, or annoying (a traffic jam when you're late, a no-smoking sign on your cigarette break) perpetuates widespread misuse of the word and outrages irony prescriptivists . It is, of course, ironic that 'Ironic' is an unironic song about irony. Bonus irony: 'Ironic' is widely cited as an example of how Americans don't get irony, despite the fact that Alanis Morissette is Canadian." — The Big Book of Irony . St. Martin's, 2007

R. Jay Magill, Jr.

"Direct expression, with no tricks, gimmickry, or irony, has come to be interpreted ironically because the default interpretive apparatus says, 'He can't really mean THAT!' When a culture becomes ironic about itself en masse , simple statements of brutal fact, simple judgments of hate or dislike become humorous because they unveil the absurdity, 'friendliness,' and caution of normal public expression. It's funny because it's true. Honestly. We're all upside down now." — Chic Ironic Bitterness . University of Michigan Press, 2007

Irony in Popular Cultue

Irony also has a large presence in popular culture—books, movies, and television shows. These quotes show the concept in use in a variety of formats.

John Hall Wheelock

"A planet doesn't explode of itself," said drily The Martian astronomer, gazing off into the air— "That they were able to do it is proof that highly Intelligent beings must have been living there." — "Earth"

Raymond Huntley and Eliot Makeham

Kampenfeldt: This is a grave matter, a very grave matter. It has just been reported to me that you've been expressing sentiments hostile to the Fatherland. Schwab: What, me sir? Kampenfeldt: I warn you, Schwab, such treasonable conduct will lead you to a concentration camp. Schwab: But sir, what did I say? Kampenfeldt: You were distinctly heard to remark, "This is a fine country to live in." Schwab: Oh, no, sir. There's some mistake. No, what I said was, "This is a fine country to live in." Kampenfeldt: Huh? You sure? Schwab: Yes sir. Kampenfeldt: I see. Well, in future don't make remarks that can be taken two ways. — Night Train to Munich , 1940

Peter Sellers

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room." — As President Merkin Muffley in Dr. Strangelove, 1964

William Zinsser

"It is a fitting irony that under Richard Nixon, launder became a dirty word."

Alan Bennett

"We're conceived in irony. We float in it from the womb. It's the amniotic fluid. It's the silver sea. It's the waters at their priest-like task, washing away guilt and purpose and responsibility. Joking but not joking. Caring but not caring. Serious but not serious." — Hilary in The Old Country , 1977

Thomas Carlyle

"An ironic man, with his sly stillness, and ambuscading ways, more especially an ironic young man, from whom it is least expected, may be viewed as a pest to society." Sartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdrockh , 1833-34

"Glee"

Rachel Berry: Mr. Schuester, do you have any idea how ridiculous it is to give the lead solo in "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" to a boy in a wheelchair? Artie Abrams: I think Mr. Schue is using irony to enhance the performance. Rachel Berry: There's nothing ironic about show choir! — Pilot episode, 2009

"Seinfeld"

​ Woman: I started riding these trains in the '40s. Those days a man would give up his seat for a woman. Now we're liberated and we have to stand. Elaine: It's ironic. Woman: What's ironic? Elaine: This, that we've come all this way, we have made all this progress, but you know we've lost the little things, the niceties. Woman: No, I mean what does ironic mean? Elaine: Oh.​ — "The Subway," Jan. 8 1992

Sideshow Bob

"I'm aware of the irony of appearing on TV in order to decry it." — The Simpsons

Calvin Trillin

"Math was my worst subject because I could never persuade the teacher that my answers were meant ironically."

The Men Who Stare at Goats,

Lyn Cassady: It's okay, you can "attack" me. Bob Wilton: What's with the quotation fingers? It's like saying I'm only capable of ironic attacking or something.​ — 2009

Irony Deficiency

Irony deficiency  is an informal term for the inability to recognize, comprehend, and/or utilize irony—that is, a tendency to interpret  figurative language  in a literal way.

Jonah Goldberg

"Mobsters are reputedly huge fans of  The Godfather . They don’t see it as a tale of individual moral corruption. They see it as a nostalgia trip to better days for the mob." — "The Irony of Irony."  National Review , April 28, 1999

"Irony deficiency is directly proportional to the strength of the political commitment or religious fervor. True believers of all persuasions are irony deficient. ... "Brutal dictators are irony deficient—take Hitler, Stalin, Kim Jong-il, and Saddam Hussein, a world-class vulgarian whose art collection consisted of kitsch paintings displayed unironically." — The Big Book of Irony . Macmillan, 2007

Swami Beyondananda

"Here is something ironic: We live at a time when our diets are richer in irony than ever before in human history, yet millions of us suffer from that silent crippler, irony deficiency ... not so much a deficiency in irony itself, but an inability to utilize the abundance of irony all around us." — Duck Soup for the Soul . Hysteria, 1999

Roy Blount, Jr.

"Will people who detect a lack of irony in other cultures never stop to consider that this may be a sign of their own irony deficiency? Maybe it's defensible when the apes detect a lack of irony in Charlton Heston in  Planet of the Apes , but not when, say, Brits detect it in, say, Americans as a race . ... The point of irony, after all, is to say things behind people's backs to their faces. If you look around the poker table and can't tell who the pigeon is, it's you." — "How to Talk Southern."  The New York Times , Nov. 21, 2004

• What Is Rhetorical Irony?
• Definition and Examples of Situational Irony
• What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis?
• Verbal Irony - Definition and Examples
• Figurative Meaning
• Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech
• Understanding Subtext
• Paralepsis (Rhetoric)
• Definition and Examples of Sarcasm
• Figure of Thought in Rhetoric
• Definition and Examples of Dramatic Irony
• Definition and Examples of Litotes in English Grammar
• 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons
• The Four Master Tropes in Rhetoric
• What "Literal Meaning" Really Means
• 20 Figures of Speech That We Never Heard About in School

Irony in Advertising 📺

• Burger King’s “Have it Your Way” campaign — This campaign was ironic because Burger King was encouraging customers to customize their orders, while at the same time, the company was not allowing its employees to customize their own work schedules.
• KFC’s “Finger Lickin’ Good” campaign — This campaign was ironic because KFC was encouraging customers to enjoy their food, while at the same time, the company was not providing its employees with adequate safety measures to protect them from the dangers of working with hot oil.
• Apple’s “Think Different” campaign — This campaign was ironic because Apple was encouraging customers to think differently, while at the same time, the company was not allowing its employees to think differently.

Related literary devices 👥

• Satire — Both a genre and a literary device, satire is often confused with irony because this type of writing is heavily dependent on irony, and oftentimes, sarcasm. Examples of satire include: A Modest Proposal by Jonathon Swift and the more modern newspaper article, “Want to end school shootings? Let’s just arm the kids.” by controversial journalist Allen Kerr.

• English Literature
• Short Stories
• Literary Terms
• Web Stories

What is Irony Definition And Examples

Table of Contents

Irony is a rhetorical device and literary technique that involves a contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs. It often involves a discrepancy between appearance and reality, or between what is said and what is meant.

Irony can be employed to convey humor, emphasize a point, or create a sense of dramatic tension. What is Irony Definition And Examples It adds depth and complexity to literature, allowing for layers of meaning and thought-provoking insights.

• What is Hyperbole Definition And Example
• What is Hubris Definition And Example
• What is Genre Definition And Examples

There are several different types of irony commonly found in literature and everyday language:

• Verbal Irony: Verbal irony occurs when a person says something that is the opposite of what they truly mean. What is Irony Definition And Examples It can be used to express sarcasm or to create humor by highlighting the difference between the literal meaning of the words and the intended message. What is Irony Definition And Examples For example, if it’s raining heavily and someone says, “What lovely weather we’re having!”
• Situational Irony: Situational irony refers to a situation in which the outcome is contrary to what is expected or anticipated. What is Irony Definition And Examples It involves a discrepancy between what is anticipated by the characters or the audience and what actually happens. What is Irony Definition And Examples For instance, a fire station burning down is an example of situational irony since it is unexpected and ironic for an institution designed to prevent fires to succumb to one.
• Dramatic Irony: Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or reader possesses information that the characters in a narrative do not. What is Irony Definition And Examples This creates tension and often leads to a different interpretation of events. What is Irony Definition And Examples A classic example is in Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” where the audience knows that Juliet is not truly dead, but Romeo, who believes she is, tragically takes his own life.
• Cosmic Irony: Cosmic irony, also known as irony of fate, refers to a situation where the universe seems to be playing a cruel joke on the characters. It suggests a sense of fate or destiny that is ironic and often tragic. What is Irony Definition And Examples An example of cosmic irony is a character who spends their life trying to avoid danger but ends up meeting a tragic fate in a seemingly safe environment.
• Structural Irony: Structural irony is a broader concept that encompasses irony built into the structure or organization of a text. What is Irony Definition And Examples It involves a pervasive irony throughout the narrative, often achieved through the contrast between the narrator’s perspective and the reality depicted. What is Irony Definition And Examples It can be seen in novels such as “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, where the protagonist’s pursuit of the American Dream is ultimately shown to be flawed and hollow.

Irony serves various purposes in literature and communication:

• Engaging the reader: Irony captures the reader’s attention and invites them to think beyond the surface level. What is Irony Definition And Examples It challenges assumptions and encourages active interpretation, making the reading experience more engaging.
• Highlighting contradictions: Irony exposes contradictions or incongruities, shedding light on societal, moral, or cultural inconsistencies. What is Irony Definition And Examples It can critique and satirize social norms, hypocrisy, or irrational behavior.
• Creating humor: Irony often lends itself to humor, particularly through verbal irony and situational irony. It plays with expectations, leading to comedic effect when the unexpected or opposite occurs.
• Adding depth and complexity: Irony adds layers of meaning to a narrative, allowing for multiple interpretations and enhancing the complexity of characters, situations, and themes.
• Conveying a message: Irony can be used to convey a deeper message or to provoke thought and reflection. What is Irony Definition And Examples It can reveal truths, challenge conventional wisdom, or expose the gap between appearance and reality.

Examples Of Irony

There are the some examples-

• In William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth,” the main character Macbeth seeks to secure his throne by eliminating those who stand in his way. However, his actions lead to his own downfall, as he becomes consumed by guilt and paranoia. The irony lies in the fact that Macbeth’s ruthless pursuit of power ultimately brings about his own destruction.
• A fire station catching fire is an example of situational irony. The very institution that is meant to prevent fires becomes engulfed in flames, highlighting the unexpected and ironic turn of events.
• In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the character of Tom Robinson is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit. Despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence, he is unjustly convicted by a racially biased jury. The dramatic irony in this case is that the reader knows the truth, while the characters in the story are blinded by prejudice and ignorance.
• A person who consistently preaches about the importance of honesty and integrity is later revealed to be engaged in fraudulent activities. This example of verbal irony showcases the discrepancy between the person’s words and their actions.
• In the film “Titanic,” the ship is marketed as “unsinkable,” but it ultimately meets a tragic fate and sinks. The situational irony lies in the stark contrast between the ship’s supposed invincibility and its ultimate demise.
• A weather forecaster confidently predicts a sunny and clear day, but it ends up raining heavily. This example illustrates verbal irony, as the weather forecast turns out to be the opposite of what was expected or stated.

Irony is a powerful literary and rhetorical device that adds depth, complexity, and engagement to literature and everyday communication. What is Irony Definition And Examples Whether through verbal irony, situational irony, dramatic irony, cosmic irony, or structural irony, it creates a contrast between expectation and reality, challenging assumptions and provoking thought. What is Irony Definition And Examples Irony can convey humor, highlight contradictions, critique societal norms, and convey deeper messages. Its presence in literature enhances characterization, plot development, and thematic exploration. What is Irony Definition And Examples In everyday life, irony can serve as a tool for satire, social commentary, or simply to add a touch of unexpectedness to communication.

Q. Can irony only be found in literature?

Ans. No, irony can be found in various forms of communication, including literature, everyday conversation, film, theater, and other forms of media. It is a versatile device that can be used to convey meaning, provoke thought, or create a humorous effect in different contexts.

Q. Is irony always intentional?

Ans. Irony can be intentional, where the author or speaker deliberately employs it for a specific purpose. However, there can also be instances of unintentional irony, where the irony arises naturally from a situation or statement without the intention of the speaker or writer.

Q. How does irony contribute to the understanding of literature?

Ans. Irony adds layers of meaning and complexity to literature. It prompts readers to question assumptions, interpret events from different perspectives, and engage with the text on a deeper level. It can enhance themes, reveal character traits, and highlight social or cultural issues within a narrative.

Q. Can irony be subjective?

Ans. The perception and interpretation of irony can vary among individuals, as it relies on the audience’s understanding and context. What one person finds ironic, another might not. However, there are instances of irony that are widely recognized and agreed upon due to their explicit contrast between expectation and reality.

Q. Are there any potential drawbacks or limitations to using irony?

Ans. While irony can be an effective literary device, its overuse or misuse can lead to confusion or diminish its impact. Additionally, cultural and linguistic differences can affect the comprehension and appreciation of irony, as what may be ironic in one culture or language might not be perceived as such in another.

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Irony – Definition, Meaning And Examples

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In rhetoric, the concept of irony represents one of the most intriguing, but often misunderstood, stylistic devices . Employed in a statement, it is typically shown as a twist against its literal meaning, expressing the opposite or a different meaning essentially. In accordance, one might wonder how this concept may fit within the evidence-based and structured foundation of academic writing . This article delves into the use of irony in academia without compromising the clarity and integrity.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Irony in a nutshell
• 2 Definition of irony
• 3 Ironic statements in academic writing
• 4 Dramatic irony
• 5 Situational irony
• 6 Verbal irony
• 7 Using irony
• 8 Misusing irony

Irony in a nutshell

In essence, the concept of irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens. In academic writing, it typically reinforces a contrast between reality and appearance, or an expectation and a lackluster outcome. In other words, it usually pinpoints and emphasizes an inconsistency or a point.

Definition of irony

In the realm of academic writing, classical irony is a type of rhetorical device , also called a figure of speech or stylistic device . Essentially, a general definition of it is that it conveys the opposite meaning of the literal statement. Henry Watson Fowler, a renowned English grammarian and lexicographer, accounts for a variety of forms of irony, highlighting its nature as a rhetorical device. According to him, it is typically used to reinforce a point or to accentuate a disparity of intention between a statement and meaning, or predictions and results. Additionally, Fowler makes a clear distinction between ironic and sarcastic statements and puts focus on the common misuse of it in general. Therefore, it is crucial to employ this concept thoughtfully to prevent misunderstandings and ensure clarity. Apart from academia, ironic context is often used for criticism, emphasis, or humor and can take on various forms such as dramatic irony, situational irony, and verbal irony .

Examples of irony

The following statement refers to a failed public health campaign event.

The campaign, aspiringly called “The Health Revolution,” had all the equipment for success – apart from, ironically, any noteworthy improvement in public health.

This is an ironic statement, as it contrasts the aspiring title of the campaign with its uninspiring outcome of events, emphasizing the failure of the campaign.

The origins of irony are in the ancient Greek word “eirōneía,” meaning “feigned ignorance” or “dissimulation.” The conception of irony originated from a character in Greek comedy named “eirōn” who dissembles ignorance with the aim to deceive, exposing someone else’s hypocrisy or ignorance as a result. This concept is now applied to general situations, where there is a notable gap between expectations and the outcome of events.

There are some words that represent synonyms for irony, as they capture various characteristics in terms of its sarcastic and humorous undertones and contradictions of unexpected results. Terms that depict a synonym for irony are listed in the following:

• Contradition
• Incongruity
• Sardonicism

Ironic statements in academic writing

When we speak of ironic context in an academia, it’s primarily applied in its literary and rhetorical aspects. Therefore, it is noteworthy that ironic statements should not be included in academic writing unless they are drawn from relevant scientific sources or the content itself. The following illustrates an overview of ironic context used in scholarly debates and discussions. These types reflect on nuanced ways in which irony is applied in fields such as philosophy, history, and literature, and will be elaborated on in this article.

• Cosmic irony: Revolves around the belief that destiny, fate, or a god-like superior power is in control and deliberately plays around with the hopes and expectations of humans.
• Dramatic irony: Refers to a literary device where the audience is aware of facts and situations, while the characters are left in the unknown.
• Historical irony: Emphasizes sharp and significant contrasts between historical and present events, pointing out definite changes in circumstances and values.
• Metafiction: Represents a stylistic device of postmodernism with the distinct characteristic of generally distrusting concepts, theories, and any ideas of “reality.”
• Romantic irony: Refers to the method or technique of the narrative constantly reminding the reader of the literary state of the work or the artificiality.
• Situational irony: Depicts scenarios in which the actual outcome of an occurence turns out to be completely different than what was initially expected.
• Socratic irony: A technique that Socrates implemented by pretending to be clueless or ignorant to expose contradictions or weaknesses in someone’s argument.
• Verbal irony: The deliberate way of stating something that is the opposite of what is meant, typically used to emphasize something or cobvey humor.

Dramatic irony

Often used in films, plays, and literature, dramatic irony is a stylistic device where the audience has more information about a situation than the actual characters. This often creates a certain humorous tension due to the contrast between the audience’s knowledge and the characters’ reality. The underlying purpose is to enrich the emotional effect and enhance the narrative experience.

Dramatic irony example

William Shakespeare’s most famous play, “Romeo and Juliet,” entails a perfect example of dramatic irony.

The character Romeo is unaware that Juliet has taken a potion to merely appear dead after being banished from Verona. With the perception and belief that Juliet is truly dead, Romeo takes his life out of grief. Thereafter, Juliet awakens and finds Romeo dead beside her and also kills herself.

In this example, the emotional intensity is enhanced, as the audience has been aware of Juliet’s plan to take the potion to merely appear dead all along, thus, understanding the tragic mistake long before the characters do.

Tragic irony

Tragic irony refers to a subtype of dramatic irony, and thus, they are often used interchangeably. As the name says, it refers to a form of dramatic ironic context found in tragedies. In these scenarios involving tragic irony, the audience is specifically aware of a tragedy that is about to happen, while the characters remain clueless. This creates a suspenseful intensity for the audience, as they await the impending doom of the characters.

In the famous play “Oedipus Rex,” the King of Thebes, aspires to unravel the murder of the previous king to end a plague that’s afflicting his city. In his determination, he swears to punish the murderer when he is found. Little does he know that he is the murderer, as he has unknowingly killed his father in a prior encounter. On top of this, he also married his mother, Jocasta, neither of them knowing their true relationship.

In this scenario, the audience is aware of the true identity of Oedipus and the prophecy. Thus, they watch him unwittingly condemn himself, seeking the murderer who is, in fact, himself. When the truth comes to light, it causes a tragedy for Oedipus and his family, highlighting the tragic irony of his situation.

Situational irony

Situational irony is found in situations where the expected results do not align with the actual events. It happens when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to occur and what transpires in reality, oftentimes ending in unexpected results that are thought-provoking or humorous. In other words, when an effect of actions turns out to be the opposite of what was initially anticipated.

Situational irony example

The following short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry provides an accurate example.

A young couple, Della and Jim, can’t afford Christmas gifts for each other. Della desperately sells her long, beautiful hair to a wig-maker to buy Jim a platinum fob chain for his beloved pocket watch. Unknowingly of this, Jim sells his prized pocket watch to buy ornate hair combs for Della, as she has wished for them for a long time.

The situational irony comes to light when they exchange gifts on Christmas. They have each made their gift pointless by selling their cherished items necessary for their gifts to each other. Essentially, their actions caused the opposite effect of their intentions, resulting in an unexpected outcome.

Types of situational ironic context

The following accounts for subtypes of situational ironic context and where they commonly occur.

Cosmic irony

Historical irony.

Cosmic irony , also called irony of fate , describes the idea that fate, gods, or the universe manipulate the destiny of humans’ hopes and expectations maliciously. It refers to characters believing they are controlling their fate, but learning they are wrong due to external higher powers. Cosmic irony usually emphasizes that life can’t be foreseen and that fate can’t be altered or controlled, visualizing the contrast between human anticipation and the higher, inevitable, and cruel design of the cosmos. The Greek myth of King Sisyphus illustrates a perfect example of cosmic irony.

King Sisyphus was notorious for his deceiving nature, as he cheated death twice, fooling the gods of the underworld. Accordingly, the gods created a unique eternal torture for him as a punishment for his fraud and audacity against them. Sisyphus was doomed to push a heavy boulder up a steep hill repeatedly, as it rolled back down right before he reached the top. This cycle was never-ending.

Sisyphus’ belief that he cheated the gods and was controlling his fate, but actually being subjected to an endless and pointless task as a punishment by the gods, shows a cruel lesson. Essentially, he is not only tortured physically but also in the psychological torment of never reaching his goal, no matter how often or hard he approaches the task. This emphasizes a cruel lesson that humans cannot escape their fate.

When a situation in history has an inappropriate outcome or the opposite of what was expected, we speak of historical irony . This type of irony occurs when we reminisce about past situations with the realization that the beliefs, expectations, or intentions of people back then do not align with the eventual or perceived outcomes in retrospection. It can often be depicted in the unexpected consequences of specific actions, the evolution of societal values, and advancements in technology. The Maginot Line in France tells the perfect tale for an example of historical irony.

Built by the French before World War II, the Maginot Line refers to a range of reinforcements, weapons, and obstacles installed along the border between France and Germany. This expensive and large-scale line of defense was created to prevent a direct invasion by the Germans by urging all offensive forces to move around it, making more time for France to call up their military.

Although the Margot Line was a technologically advanced defensive barrier, forcing the Germans to go around it, it ultimately allowed the German forces to navigate through the Ardennes Forest, which was considered a natural defense structure and therefore barely reinforced. This becomes ironic as the very defense plan that France relied on, essentially, paved the way for the German invasion and resulted in rapid defeat.

Verbal irony

Verbal irony is employed in speech where someone states one thing but means the opposite. This is typically used to convey a certain attitude or message that contradicts the initial literal statement. In scenarios involving verbal irony, the listener is mostly aware of the inconsistency between the said words and the intended meaning, setting a humorous or critical tone. Ultimately, verbal irony clearly differentiates between what is stated and what is actually meant.

Verbal irony example

A verbal irony example can be identified in a setting and a contradicting statement, as in the following.

Imagine this scenario:

Someone leaves the house, and it is raining and gray outside. The person remarks: “What a wonderful day!”

Based on the setting, it is clear that the person does not refer to the weather as wonderful, as this describes the complete opposite. The speaker employed verbal irony to emphasize how bad the weather is. The ironic intent behind it, is also clear, as the setting and the statement do not coincide.

Types of verbal ironic context

The subsequent discourse outlines the most frequently occurring forms of verbal ironic context.

Echoic allusion

Sarcasm refers to a type of verbal irony, where insincere or mocking language is employed to express disregard, mockery, or contempt. The tone is often biting, cutting, or sharp with the deliberate intention to convey scorn toward the listener. While sarcasm is typically ironic, irony isn’t always sarcastic. Sarcasm has a more specific intent, which goes in the direction of taunting or purposefully hurting someone in a malicious or humorous way. The following outlines a simple example of sarcasm.

A coworker arrives late to a meeting. The boss remarks: “Nice of you to join us!”

In this case, of verbal irony, the boss is not genuinely praising the employee for attending the meeting, but rather makes a sarcastic remark to scornfully emphasize the person’s late arrival. While superficially, this statement would be welcoming, on a deeper level, it is actually a critique of the person’s tardiness.

An echoic allusion is a rhetorical device and also a form of verbal irony. It involves the writer making a reference to or reflecting back on a previous word, sentence, or phrase, usually, from a widely known event or text. It can be referred to as a form of intertextuality, as one text resonates with another. This type of allusion aims to evoke the emotions or atmosphere associated with the original source by echoing it. This enables the writer to express meanings between the lines without stating them directly. When using echoic allusion, the writer has the belief that the audience has knowledge of the original source, which creates a mutual understanding or cultural link. T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Waste Land” illustrates a famous example of echoic allusion.

In the poem, Eliot writes the line “April is the cruelest month,” which depicts an echoic allusion to the introducing line of “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer that states, “Whan that April with his showers soote.”

While Chaucer gives the April month a positive connotation by celebrating growth and rejuvenation, Eliot’s echoic allusion to it portrays the contrary modern version, implying that April interferes with the natural flow of winter. As Eliot echoes Chaucer’s line, it is apparent that he assumes the audience is familiar with “The Canterbury Tales.”

Using irony

While logic, clarity, and evidence portray key aspects in the realm of academic writing, it may be difficult to see ironic statements as complementing companions. Irony can offer an effective way to convey and emphasize contradictions, challenge traditional norms, or provide a more profound meaning to an argument. When used appropriately and with precision, irony can elevate an academic paper by presenting deliberate intention or even elaborating critique. There are various ways to use irony, which are delved into in the following.

Comic irony

Metafiction & romantic irony, socratic irony, negative irony, awkwardness.

Using comic irony includes giving expectations of an event or situation and adding an unexpected twist with the aim of creating a comedic or humorous effect. In essence, it occurs when an absurd or unexpected result of something makes you laugh. This is how it can be used:

• Build up expectations: Construct a specific setting for the audience that gives them certain expectations of the outcome of a situation or events.
• Add a twist: Introduce something that strongly contradicts the expectations of the outcome, establishing a punchline or a twist in the argument.
• Keep clarity: Maintain the irony and clarity for the audience. A weak or subtle presence of the ironic twist may diminish the comedic effect.
• Thoughtful timing: Perfect timing plays a key role in comedy. Set the ironic twist as soon as possible after the establishment of the expectations for a stronger effect.
• Adjust to your audience: Make sure you know your audience. Humor varies immensely, tailor your comic irony to the target group you are confronted with.

Consider the following example for a better comprehension of comic irony.

The setting:

A character, known for being late, hosts an event surrounding the importance of being punctual.

Twist of expectation:

The guests arrive, only to wait for the host, who arrives in a rush and short of breath, excusing his delay with a forgotten alarm clock.

In this scenario, the irony is comic or humorous, as the host urges punctuality through the event and contradicts himself by being late.

Metafiction and romantic irony are closely related and anticipate to highlight the constructed nature of a narrative. However, these two concepts have slight distinctions, which become apparent below.

When a writer uses metafiction , they remind the audience that what they read is fictional and doesn’t represent an unmediated part of reality. Essentially, metafiction is a form of fiction that assertively addresses and uncovers the construction behind the story. Employing metafiction can be done in three ways as accounted for in the following:

• The narrator or characters can directly acknowledge that they are part of a fictional story, e.g., “If this were a novel, I’d be dead.”
• The narrative can be disrupted by commentary based on the author’s revisions, direct addresses to the reader, or simply notes.
• Blur the lines by mixing real-life and fictional elements, e.g., integrating real photos, footnotes, or documents in the fictional narrative.

Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five,” depicts a clear example of employing metafiction by blurring the lines, as follows.

Vonnegut places himself as a character in the story to blur the lines between the fictional story and the real author. He also incorporates obvious moments with the characters, where the fiction of the story is overtly played with or debated.

On the other hand, romantic irony or self-irony refers to the self-awareness of the author, meaning their subjective position in constructing a narrative. This type of irony describes how an author is completely involved in the process of creation, whilst also able to critique or mock it. Among others, romantic irony can be employed in the following three ways:

• The author is fully immersed in the narrative, however, detached to a certain level to offer commentary at the same time.
• Disrupting the narrative by fragments of various voices, plots, or views to convey the point that multiple truths are possible.
• The author may integrate playful critique by praising a scene and then mocking it or downplaying its importance in the next breath.

The German poet and philosopher Friedrich Schlegel often employed romantic irony and set clear examples for it in his way of argumentation and conceptualizing.

Often, Schlegel presented a well-grounded philosophical concept and then mocked it in the next breath by degrading its validity and underscoring the subjective nature of a philosophical endeavor.

In essence, the most prominent distinction between metafiction and romantic irony is the balance between engagement and detachment.

Derived from Socrates in Platonic dialogues, Socratic irony revolves around pretending to be clueless about a dissembled belief in an opponent’s argument to expose the flaws in their claim. Socrates often positioned himself in the role of the clueless one, inquiring for clarification of a topic that he was already knowledgeable of. In the quest of seeking clarity, he tailored the questions in a way to make the opponent realize their contradictions regarding their beliefs, ultimately, providing a deeper understanding and insight into philosophical truths. Overall, it can be employed as a pedagogical method to guide someone to acknowledge inadequacies on their own by questioning them.

Using Socratic irony is an effective way to navigate discussions, amplify critical thinking , and enlighten people about the flaws in their arguments. There are several ways to employ this type properly:

• Pretending to be clueless: Ask questions about a topic you are already familiar with. This creates a safe environment for others to share their opinions.
• Open-ended questions: Formulate questions in a way that promotes elaboration, like “How did you draw this conclusion?” or “Can you elaborate?”
• Request clarity: This may urge people to reflect on their argument, e.g., if someone states, “All athletes are cheaters,” ask, “Do you think there is not one honest athlete?”
• Subtly emphasize contradictions: Encourage self-recognition by asking questions instead of directly confronting a contradiction made in an argument.
• Stay humble in your tone: Remember that it isn’t about being right in an argument, but rather about navigating the person toward a self-realization of contradictions.
• Be mindful of the timing to conclude: The process of drawing a conclusion varies for every person. Thus, wrapping up a discussion effectively may involve leaving the person with food for thought.

The following example displays this Socratic approach in a modern context.

Modern scenario:

In a discussion about climate change, the opponent expresses skepticism towards the contribution of humans.

Questions rather than stating data:

• Can you account for the aspects that you believe contribute most to climate change?
• How can you reunite the vast agreement among climate scientists?
• Are there particular sources you derived your opinion from?

The example above illustrates open-ended questions that can help in guiding the discussion. In addition, these questions encourage the opponent to employ critical thinking and reevaluate their viewpoint on their own, possibly, acknowledging any gaps in their argument.

Negative irony acts as the counterpart of humorous or neutral irony. Its purpose lies in conveying critique, contempt, or a negative connotation through arguments that express the contrary to what is actually meant. This form of irony is often found in literature, everyday dialogue, or rhetoric, referring to contradictions or errors in a topic. Negative irony can be used in several ways:

• Provide a clear context: In order to avoid confusion and convey a point effectively, it is crucial to provide a clear context for an ironic statement.
• Setting the right tone: In terms of negative irony or sarcasm, it may be effective to use a disdainful or mocking tone to make the irony clear.
• Emphasize contradictions: Negative irony should directly point out inconsistencies in actions, situations, or beliefs. This is frequently done by placing the statement and intent side by side.
• Keep it short: Brief ironic statements can oftentimes be more effective than extensive ones, as they will keep the focus to the point.
• Use it appropriately: Make sure you employ negative irony in the right context and not excessively. Using it too often may come off as not serious or too cynical.
• Expect strong reactions: It is essential to remember that you may receive strong feedback when using negative irony, as it is often provocative.

A manufacturing company received backlash for unsustainable issues and as a result, implemented a minor green campaign, selling it as an impactful step towards sustainability.

Negative irony:

“Wow, how impressive! One tree is planted for every thousand products manufactured. The world is saved.”

Despite the company’s trying, the statement above clearly conveys criticism towards it, indicating the efforts are too minimal, especially, in terms of its prior backlash.

Using awkwardness in terms of irony revolves around creating an uncomfortable setting or drawing attention to unpleasant situations so that the audience is forced to acknowledge the breach between expectations and actual results. By reinforcing emotional reactions, awkwardness can bring irony more to the foreground, making it more tangible to the crowd. Awkwardness can be employed in many ways to intensify irony:

• Create unexpected settings: Awkwardness typically occurs when a situation is inappropriate or unexpected. Therefore, contrasting normality with something unexpected in a setting may be effective.
• Be aware of the dynamic between characters: If the character is clueless about certain information, but the audience is familiar with it, it may create an ironic and awkward situation.
• Playful timing: Be suspenseful with answers and responses, which can create an awkward silence between scenes and intensify the irony.
• Add a twist to social norms: We are taught by social conventions what is normal and what is out of line. Creating scenarios that go against the norm may lead to awkwardness.
• Restrict what is said: Often, silence can be much more awkward than spoken words. Be calculated with pauses, body language, and the setting.
• Point out gaps: Make sure to emphasize the breach between expectations and reality. The more the breach comes to the foreground, the more awkward the situation will be.

Misusing irony

To identify and prevent the misuse of common irony is vital, as it often leads to miscommunication, confusion, or even unintended offense. The most frequently made mistakes in using common irony are outlined below.

• Too subtle: Despite subtlety being a crucial part of conveying ironic meanings properly, it still has to be noticeable to the audience. If it is employed too subtly, it can create confusion.
• Overuse: Overusing ironic statements can come off as insincere or elusive. It makes it more difficult for the audience to differentiate between genuine sentiment and irony.
• Inappropriate setting: Be careful about using ironic statements in sensitive or serious contexts, as it can quickly become dismissive of the sensitivity or disrespect towards a certain topic.
• Cultural misconceptions: Not all cultures have the same understanding and employment of irony, meaning that while one culture uses ironic context one way, another could perceive it as deceptive or confusing.
• Irony vs. sarcasm: Sarcasm is often confused with irony, which often results in unintentional offense. Sarcasm is a subtype of verbal irony, however, not all ironic statements can refer to sarcasm.
• Language barriers: When translating ironic statements to other languages, the nuances may get lost, resulting in misunderstandings or confusion.
• Digital communication: In text messages, the tone is missing in the communication, which can frequently lead to confusion or even unintended offense when employing irony.

Based on the points accounting for common misuse of ironic statements, the following repercussions may be most likely to occur.

• Dismissing the seriousness of a situation
• Loss of credibility by seeming insincere
• Miscommunication and confusion
• Unintentional offense

What is an example of irony?

Essentially, ironic expressions describe arguments that have a clear literal meaning but mean the opposite or something else.

For example, if it is a gloomy and rainy day, you might say “What amazing weather!”

Here, the exaggerated remark as a response to the bad weather conveys the opposite.

What are simple definitions for irony?

Ironic statements can be employed in literature and in everyday life. A simple definition of irony is that it refers to a gap between our expectations and the reality of an outcome, or whenever a person says or does something that doesn’t align with our expectations, an ironic expression occurs.

What does irony in literature mean?

Irony refers to a stylistic device, more specifically, a literary device. In a literary context, it refers to the difference between what something seems to mean in contrast to its literal meaning, ultimately, pointing out a disparity of intention.

How do you identify irony?

To detect irony, it is crucial to analyze whether the character making a statement, conflicts with the setting on purpose or unintentionally.

For example, if the character intentionally uses a mocking style in tone, it may indicate sarcasm, a subcategory of verbal irony. However, if the intent behind the statement is genuine, it may imply situational irony.

Why is it called irony?

The word “irony” originates from the Greek comic character Erion. He describes a character who, with his intellect, continuously wins against the pretentious character Alazon.

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Understanding Irony: Definition, Types, and Examples

What is irony, types of irony, examples of verbal irony, examples of situational irony, examples of dramatic irony, how to identify irony.

Who hasn't heard the phrase, "Well, isn't that ironic?" thrown around in casual conversation? Irony is a common term in our everyday language, yet its true meaning can often be elusive or misinterpreted. This is why the definition of irony is worth exploring. So, sit tight and prepare to gain a better understanding of this often misunderstood, but widely used literary tool.

Irony is a fascinating concept that adds depth to our language and communication. At its core, irony involves a twist or a surprise that is different from what you would usually expect. It's like when you're running late and hit every green light, but when you're early, you seem to catch every red one. That's irony for you—always playing with our expectations! Now, let's get into the specifics.

Definition of Irony

Irony is a figure of speech where words are used in a way that their intended meaning is different from their actual meaning. It may also be a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between the appearance and the reality.

The Purpose of Irony

Irony serves various purposes. It can add humor to a situation, make a reader or viewer think more deeply, or shock them with an unexpected turn of events. It can also:

• Highlight a character's innocence or ignorance
• Enhance a tragic or dramatic effect
• Create a lighter tone in a serious situation

Irony in Everyday Life

You might not realize it, but you encounter irony in your everyday life. For instance, imagine you decide to skip work to go to a concert, only to find out the band also decided not to show up. That's irony! It's these little twists and turns that life throws at us that make the concept of irony so relatable.

So, now you've got a clear understanding of the definition of irony. But, did you know there are different types of irony too? Let's dive into them in the next section.

Irony is not a one-size-fits-all kind of term. Just like your favorite pair of shoes, it comes in different styles and varieties, each with its own unique characteristics. So, let's have a look at the three main types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic irony.

Verbal Irony

Verbal irony is when someone says one thing but means another. It's kind of like sarcasm, but not always. For instance, if it's raining cats and dogs outside and you say, "What lovely weather we're having," you're using verbal irony. Your words are opposite to the actual situation.

Situational Irony

Situational irony, on the other hand, is when the opposite of what you expect to happen, happens. It's like if a fire station were to catch fire. You'd expect a fire station of all places to be safe from fire, but the reality is quite ironic, don't you think?

Dramatic Irony

The last type, dramatic irony, is a popular device in literature and film. This is when the audience knows something that the characters in the story do not. Remember in "Romeo and Juliet" when Juliet pretends to be dead and Romeo, thinking she's actually dead, kills himself? That's a classic example of dramatic irony. We, the audience, know Juliet isn't really dead, but poor Romeo doesn't.

So, there you have it—the three main types of irony. Each type adds a unique layer of complexity to our language and storytelling. But, to get a real sense of how irony works, let's look at some examples in the next sections.

Now that you have a clear definition of irony and its types, let's dive into some examples. We'll start with verbal irony, the type of irony that is all about saying one thing and meaning another. Let's go!

"Nice Weather, Isn't It?"

Imagine you're walking home, soaking wet from a sudden downpour. A friend passes by, safe and dry under an umbrella, and quips, "Nice weather, isn't it?" That's a classic example of verbal irony. By saying the exact opposite of what's true, your friend creates a humorous and ironic situation.

"I Can't Wait to Do My Homework"

Picture this: It's Friday afternoon, and the last bell of the school day rings. Your teacher hands you a huge pile of homework for the weekend. As you stuff the papers into your backpack, you say, "I can't wait to do my homework!" Now, unless you're a true lover of homework, you're likely being ironic here. You're expressing the opposite of your true feelings, making this a perfect example of verbal irony.

"I Love Being Stuck in Traffic"

Stuck in traffic after a long day at work, you might remark to a fellow commuter, "I love being stuck in traffic." Unless you enjoy honking horns and bumper-to-bumper cars, it's likely you don't actually love it. Again, this is verbal irony because your words express the opposite of what you truly mean.

These examples show how verbal irony can add humor and complexity to our everyday conversations. But what about situational irony? Let's take a look at that next.

Let's move on to situational irony. This is when the outcome is the opposite of what you expected. As the definition of irony goes, it's all about that unexpected twist! Here are a few examples to paint a clearer picture.

The Fire Station Burns Down

Imagine a scenario where a fire station—yes, the place that's supposed to prevent and put out fires—catches fire and burns to the ground. That's situational irony right there. You'd expect a fire station to be the last place to burn down, but the unexpected has happened, creating a deeply ironic situation.

The Lifeguard Can't Swim

Now, picture this: a lifeguard who can't swim. Sounds crazy, right? But that's exactly what makes it an example of situational irony. We expect lifeguards to be excellent swimmers, ready to save lives at a moment's notice. If they can't swim, that's the complete opposite of what we expect—hence, it's ironic.

The Teacher Fails the Test

Lastly, consider a teacher who fails a test in their own subject. Teachers are supposed to know their subjects inside out, so them failing a test would be a surprising and ironic situation. It flips our expectations upside down, making it a perfect example of situational irony.

These examples should help you see how situational irony can create unexpected and interesting scenarios. Now, let's move on to dramatic irony, another fascinating facet of this literary device.

Now that we've covered situational irony, let's dive into dramatic irony. This form of irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters in a story don't, creating tension and suspense. Here are a few examples:

Romeo and Juliet

One of the classic examples of dramatic irony comes from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". In the play, Juliet takes a potion to appear dead so she can run away with Romeo. However, Romeo doesn't know about the plan and thinks Juliet is truly dead. The audience, on the other hand, knows Juliet isn't dead, creating a painful sense of dramatic irony as we watch Romeo's reaction.

The Truman Show

In the film "The Truman Show", Truman lives in a reality TV show but doesn't know it. The audience, however, is aware of the truth, which makes Truman's obliviousness a clear example of dramatic irony. His everyday actions, innocent of the reality, create a sense of tension and suspense that defines the film.

Little Red Riding Hood

In the traditional fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood", the reader knows that the wolf has dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother. However, Little Red Riding Hood herself doesn't know this. The tension that builds as we wait for her to find out is a perfect example of dramatic irony.

So, there you have it—dramatic irony in a nutshell! It adds an element of suspense and makes stories more engaging. Now, let's learn how to identify irony in its many forms.

Irony can often be tricky to spot, especially when it's used subtly. But don't worry, with a bit of practice and the right tools, you'll become an irony-detecting wizard in no time. Let's get started:

Context is Key

When trying to identify irony, it's important to take the context into account. Irony often involves a discrepancy between what's expected and what actually happens. So, if the outcome is different from what you anticipated, you might just have stumbled upon an irony.

Look for Contradictions

Irony often involves contradictions. In verbal irony, for example, a person might say one thing but mean just the opposite. So, if the words don't match the actions or the situation, you're likely dealing with irony.

Consider the Audience's Knowledge

In dramatic irony, the audience or reader has information that the characters do not. If you find yourself knowing more than the characters in a story and that knowledge creates a tension or surprise, you've likely found dramatic irony.

And that wraps up our guide on how to identify irony! It might seem a bit daunting at first, but remember, practice makes perfect. So, next time you're reading a book or watching a movie, keep an eye out for these telltale signs of irony. You'll be amazed at how it can add depth and complexity to the story.

While understanding irony is essential for any creative, it's also crucial to explore other aspects of your craft. If you're a photographer looking to dive deeper into how your identity can inform your practice, check out ' How Identity Can Inform Your Photography Practice ' by Ryan Prince. This workshop will help you to develop a more authentic and personal approach to your photography work.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Tell Tale Heart — The Use of Irony in Edgar Allan Poe’s Works

The Use of Irony in Edgar Allan Poe’s Works

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

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Table of contents

Definition of irony, irony in poe’s works, the function of irony in poe’s works, impact of irony on the reader.

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Definition of irony

called also dramatic irony

called also Socratic irony

Did you know?

What's irony ?

Considerable thought is given to what events constitute “true” irony, and the dictionary is often called upon to supply an answer. Here are the facts about how the word irony is used.

Irony has two formal uses that are not as common in general prose as its more casual uses. One refers to Socratic irony—a method of revealing an opponent’s ignorance by pretending to be ignorant yourself and asking probing questions. The other refers to dramatic irony or tragic irony—an incongruity between the situation in a drama and the words used by the characters that only the audience can see. Socratic irony is a tool used in debating; dramatic irony is what happens when the audience realizes that Romeo and Juliet’s plans will go awry.

The third, and debated, use of irony regards what’s called situational irony . Situational irony involves a striking reversal of what is expected or intended: a person sidesteps a pothole to avoid injury and in doing so steps into another pothole and injures themselves. 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 .

The historical record shows that irony and ironic have been used imprecisely for almost 100 years at least, and often to refer to coincidence. This 1939 quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald is typical: "It is an ironic thought that the last picture job I took—against my better judgment—yielded me five thousand dollars five hundred and cost over four thousand in medical attention." Is this true situational irony? It’s debatable.

The word irony has come to be applied to events that are merely curious or coincidental, and while some feel this is an incorrect use of the word, it is merely a new one.

wit , humor , irony , sarcasm , satire , repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement.

wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

Examples of irony in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irony.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Latin ironia , from Greek eirōnia , from eirōn dissembler

1502, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing irony

• Socratic irony
• dramatic irony

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Dictionary Entries Near irony

iron yellow

Cite this Entry

“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irony. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of irony, more from merriam-webster on irony.

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for irony

Nglish: Translation of irony for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of irony for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about irony

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