English 9 / Unit 3: Theme and Symbolism
3.5 Irony
Notes
Irony is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens or is meant.
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Saying the opposite of what you mean | "Lovely weather," during a hailstorm |
| Situational | The outcome is the opposite of what was expected | A fire station burns down |
| Dramatic | The audience knows something a character does not | Viewers know the killer is in the house |
- Sarcasm is harsh verbal irony.
- Irony can create humor, surprise or tension, and often reveals theme.
Practice
After failing her driving test for the third time, Rosa says, "Well, I'm clearly a natural." This is:
She says the opposite of what she means.
A safety inspector trips over his own clipboard and breaks his arm during a safety talk. This is:
The outcome is the opposite of what you would expect of a safety inspector.
In a play, the audience knows a letter was forged, but the hero believes it and acts on it. This is:
The audience knows something the character does not.
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