All 4 Uses of
irony
in
Dubliners
- In these sheets a sentence was inscribed from time to time and, in an ironical moment, the headline of an advertisement for Bile Beans had been pasted on to the first sheet.†
Chpt 11
- "Someone you were in love with?" he asked ironically.†
Chpt 15
- "What was he?" asked Gabriel, still ironically.†
Chpt 15 *
- Gabriel felt humiliated by the failure of his irony and by the evocation of this figure from the dead, a boy in the gasworks.†
Chpt 15
Definition:
-
(irony as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidenceeditor's notes: This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended.
Situational irony can be poignant, humorous, or unusual in juxtaposition. It can be subtle. For example, a novel can bring to mind a famous work of literature that leads the reader expect a certain pattern. Then the writer can turn the pattern on its head.
The expression ironic smile, generally references someone who is smiling (or often smiles) at situational irony.
All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.