All 3 Uses of
irony
in
Gone with the Wind
- I imagine the irony of me being the one to tell him of his son's death will be lost on him, just now.†
Chpt 2.14 *
- That was about enough to buy one square meal for them all, she thought ironically, now that Confederate money was worth almost less than nothing at all.†
Chpt 3.26
- For years she had thought that nothing mattered very much to him, that he thought everything in life, including her, an ironic joke.†
Chpt 5.54
Definition:
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(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.