All 5 Uses
irony
in
Before I Fall
(Edited)
- He's also the soccer coach, which is ironic since he probably couldn't run to the vending machine and back.
p. 21.3ironic = being very different than what might be expected
- It's so ironic that the hottest guy at Thomas Jefferson is on the faculty.
p. 29.9
- Plus I hate my English teacher, Mrs. Harbor. ... Even though she's probably only in her fifties, I'm pretty sure she's losing it. That's how it started with my grandmother: ... When my grandmother was still alive we would visit her, and even though I was no more than six, I remember thinking: I hope I die young. There's a definition of irony for you, Mrs. Harbor. Or maybe foreshadowing?
p. 44.9 *irony = when what happened was very different than what might have been expected
- And Lindsay had put in how ironic it was that Mrs. Sachs lived on Serenity Place—like she doesn't bring the noise with her—and it was the first time I really understood the meaning of the word ironic.
p. 296.7ironic = an entertaining coincidence when what happens is not what might be expected
- And Lindsay had put in how ironic it was that Mrs. Sachs lived on Serenity Place—like she doesn't bring the noise with her—and it was the first time I really understood the meaning of the word ironic.
p. 296.8
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 sarcasmThis is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear.
All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not 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, as in Romeo and JulietAll 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) 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.