Unit 5 Notes Irony and Ambiguity

Irony Irony – when the truth is opposite of what is perceived Irony – when the truth is opposite of what is perceived If you are eight feet tall, weigh five-hundred pounds, and your nickname is “Tiny,” irony has occurred If you are eight feet tall, weigh five-hundred pounds, and your nickname is “Tiny,” irony has occurred If Montressor toasts to your health when he’s about to kill you in his basement, irony has occurred If Montressor toasts to your health when he’s about to kill you in his basement, irony has occurred We will discuss three different types of irony We will discuss three different types of irony

Verbal Irony

#1: Verbal Irony Verbal Irony – Verbal Irony – When one means the opposite of what one says When one means the opposite of what one says When the opposite of what one says is true When the opposite of what one says is true Shares similarities with sarcasm Shares similarities with sarcasm Examples: Examples: If someone spits in your cheerios and you say, “Mmm! Great. Delicious,” you are (hopefully) being sarcastic If someone spits in your cheerios and you say, “Mmm! Great. Delicious,” you are (hopefully) being sarcastic Wilson robs a bank, punches a police man, knocks over a senior citizen, jaywalks, scares a baby, and is about to speed off in his car when more policemen come charging around the corner. However, one of them slips on a banana peel, tripping everyone else, and Wilson gets away. “Good thing that banana peel was there!” he says to himself as he gets away. Wilson robs a bank, punches a police man, knocks over a senior citizen, jaywalks, scares a baby, and is about to speed off in his car when more policemen come charging around the corner. However, one of them slips on a banana peel, tripping everyone else, and Wilson gets away. “Good thing that banana peel was there!” he says to himself as he gets away. How is this verbally ironic? How is this verbally ironic?

Situational Irony

#2: Situational Irony Situational Irony – when a scenario results in the opposite situation of what we would expect Situational Irony – when a scenario results in the opposite situation of what we would expect An ambulance that runs someone over An ambulance that runs someone over A pilot that’s afraid of heights A pilot that’s afraid of heights Two peace ambassadors fist-fighting each other Two peace ambassadors fist-fighting each other

Dramatic Irony

#3: Dramatic Irony Dramatic Irony – When the reader (or audience) knows that a character is about to experience the opposite of what he or she expects Dramatic Irony – When the reader (or audience) knows that a character is about to experience the opposite of what he or she expects Often occurs in plays or movies Often occurs in plays or movies We watch as a piano is pushed off the roof of a building. As it falls, someone directly below it declares, “What a wonderful day! Everything’s going so well!” We watch as a piano is pushed off the roof of a building. As it falls, someone directly below it declares, “What a wonderful day! Everything’s going so well!”

Things to remember Irony is often confused with the amusing and the coincidental Irony is often confused with the amusing and the coincidental In order to be true irony, the truth must be opposite of what is perceived In order to be true irony, the truth must be opposite of what is perceived Just because something is funny, unexpected or amusing, don’t automatically assume it’s ironic Just because something is funny, unexpected or amusing, don’t automatically assume it’s ironic

Note the Difference Not very ironic Not very ironic Fairly ironic Fairly ironic

Part III: Ambiguity

Ambiguity Imagine that in class, someone asks Mr. Pilola, “Are we going to have fun today? Or are we going to spend all class writing an essay?” And Mr. Pilola answers, “Yes!” Imagine that in class, someone asks Mr. Pilola, “Are we going to have fun today? Or are we going to spend all class writing an essay?” And Mr. Pilola answers, “Yes!” Mr. Pilola has just been ambiguous Mr. Pilola has just been ambiguous Ambiguity – When several (sometimes conflicting) interpretations are possible Ambiguity – When several (sometimes conflicting) interpretations are possible Ambiguity is sometimes used in stories to make the reader think or to avoid a clear-cut ending Ambiguity is sometimes used in stories to make the reader think or to avoid a clear-cut ending

Ambiguity can be good If ambiguity seems like it is done on purpose, it can be good because it: Encourages readers to participate in the story by adding their own thoughts Encourages readers to participate in the story by adding their own thoughts Encourages readers to consider several possible correct meanings to your work Encourages readers to consider several possible correct meanings to your work Makes readers think harder Makes readers think harder Allows readers to start a debate/conversation Allows readers to start a debate/conversation

Ambiguity can be bad If it seems like you are ambiguous by accident (or your ambiguity is unwelcome), it might: Allow for one or more incorrect interpretations of your work Allow for one or more incorrect interpretations of your work Create unintended (undesirable) meanings Create unintended (undesirable) meanings Frustrate or confuse readers Frustrate or confuse readers

Examples of Bad Ambiguity Ambiguous Newspaper Headlines prostitutes appeal to judge prostitutes appeal to judge teacher strikes idle kids teacher strikes idle kids squad helps dog bite victim squad helps dog bite victim enraged cow injures farmer with ax enraged cow injures farmer with ax miners refuse to work after death miners refuse to work after death juvenile court to try shooting defendant juvenile court to try shooting defendant stolen painting found by tree stolen painting found by tree two sisters reunited after 18 years in checkout counter two sisters reunited after 18 years in checkout counter