All 6 Uses of
irony
in
In the Time of the Butterflies
- Belonging to the party was an obligation unless, of course, like Lio you wanted trouble for yourself and your family. ...the audience clapped politely. Except Minerva. Dede prodded her with an elbow and whispered, "Think of it as life insurance." The irony of it—she had been practicing for her future profession! [selling life insurance]
Chpt 2.5 *irony = an amusing coincidence
- Minou scowls at her aunt. "Are you making fun again?"
Dede shakes her head. ...
Minou is watching her aunt for any sign of irony.Chpt 3.9 *irony = saying one thing while meaning something else
- Her niece Minou has noted more than once the irony of Dedes "new" profession, actually embarked upon a decade ago, after her divorce.†
Chpt 1.1
- The name seems ironic given the weather.†
Chpt 2.6
- How ironic, she thought, watching him.†
Chpt 3.9
- And ironically, by making them myth, we lost the Mirabals once more, dismissing the challenge of their courage as impossible for us, ordinary men and women.†
Chpt P.S.
Definitions:
-
(1)
(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 coincidenceThis is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended.
The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony.
All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem. -
(2)
(irony as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm
(With this type of irony, it's not uncommon for the words to say one thing while the tone-of-voice and/or context says another.)This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony."
All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they are said to be or what they might seem. -
(3)
(irony as in: dramatic irony) when the meaning of a situation is understood by one person, but not by another -- especially when a reader or audience knows what characters of a story do not (such as in the play, Romeo and Juliet)All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they are said to be or what they seem.
-
(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Less commonly, Socratic irony is where someone pretends ignorance to get another to think through a problem. This is named after the Socratic method of teaching.
Less commonly still, some also refer to romantic irony as when an author reminds the audience that the fictional words is the author's creation and will play out as the author desires.