A Lesson in Irony Lesson Objectives for Students 1)Define the three different kinds of irony. 2)Look at examples of music and poetry and discuss how irony is used in music to communicate an idea, theme, or create social commentary. 3)Through a choice of written activities, use irony to express your own ideas and opinions about a subject. We have discussed how literature is a way for writers to share a message with the reader. Just how are the authors we will be studying getting their message across? Irony is just one of the writing tools an artist uses to sharpen his or her point.

We begin with a few questions… What are some of the cultural functions and/or purposes of literature and music? What are the possible intentions of artists when they create popular (or not so popular) music for an audience ?

Dramatic Irony Produced when the audience’s or reader’s knowledge of events surpasses that of the characters. The words and actions therefore, take on a different meaning for the audience/ reader than for the characters. A few examples: Shakespearean soliloquies Romeo and Juliet Common technique used in horror movies

Situational Irony A discrepancy between the expected and the actual state of affairs; a contradictory or badly-timed outcome of events as if in mockery of the fitness of things. Simply, the unexpected happens. A few examples: A firefighter’s house burns down Stories with a surprise ending like old Twilight Zone episodes

Verbal Irony The use of words to express something other than (and especially the opposite of) the literal meaning. Especially the humorous use of praise to imply condemnation or contempt. A few examples: “You are as a candle, the better burnt out.” –Henry IV, part 2 Sarcasm: saying the opposite of what you really feel in an attempt to be funny or illicit a response

“Ironic” by Alanis Morissette An old man turned ninety-eight He won the lottery and died the next day It's a black fly in your Chardonnay It's a death row pardon two minutes too late And isn't it ironic... don't you think Chorus An old man turned ninety-eight He won the lottery and died the next day It's a black fly in your Chardonnay It's a death row pardon two minutes too late And isn't it ironic... don't you think Chorus It's like rain on your wedding day It's a free ride when you've already paid It's the good advice that you just didn't take Who would've thought... it figures Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye He waited his whole damn life to take that flight And as the plane crashed down he thought "Well isn't this nice..." And isn't it ironic... don't you think [ repeat Chorus] It's like rain on your wedding day It's a free ride when you've already paid It's the good advice that you just didn't take Who would've thought... it figures Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye He waited his whole damn life to take that flight And as the plane crashed down he thought "Well isn't this nice..." And isn't it ironic... don't you think [ repeat Chorus]

Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you When you think everything's okay and everything's going right And life has a funny way of helping you out when You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up In your face A traffic jam when you're already late A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife It's meeting the man of my dreams And then meeting his beautiful wife And isn't it ironic...don't you think A little too ironic...and, yeah, I really do think... Chorus It's like rain on your wedding day It's a free ride when you've already paid It's the good advice that you just didn't take Who would've thought... it figures Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out Helping you out It's like rain on your wedding day It's a free ride when you've already paid It's the good advice that you just didn't take Who would've thought... it figures Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out Helping you out

Let’s Review-What is Irony? Irony is an implied discrepancy, or gap, between what is said and what is meant. Also applies to situations where there is a gap between what is expected and what actually happens. Sometimes as cultural observers and participants we are expected to bridge that gap.

“Sleeping In” by The Postal Service Last week I had the strangest dream Where everything was exactly how it seemed Where there was never any mystery of who shot John F. Kennedy It was just a man with something to prove Slightly bored and severely confused He steadied his rifle with his target in the center And became famous on that day in November Don't wake me I plan on sleeping Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in Don't wake me I plan on sleeping Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in Last week I had the strangest dream Where everything was exactly how it seemed Where there was never any mystery of who shot John F. Kennedy It was just a man with something to prove Slightly bored and severely confused He steadied his rifle with his target in the center And became famous on that day in November Don't wake me I plan on sleeping Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in Don't wake me I plan on sleeping Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in Again last night I had that strange dream Where everything was exactly how it seemed Where concerns about the world getting warmer The people thought they were just being rewarded For treating others as they'd like to be treated For obeying stop signs and curing diseases For mailing letters with the address of the sender Now we can swim any day in November Again last night I had that strange dream Where everything was exactly how it seemed Where concerns about the world getting warmer The people thought they were just being rewarded For treating others as they'd like to be treated For obeying stop signs and curing diseases For mailing letters with the address of the sender Now we can swim any day in November Don't wake me I plan on sleeping Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in Don't wake me I plan on sleeping Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in Don't wake me I plan on sleeping Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in Don't wake me I plan on sleeping Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in

Activities in Irony Pick two people from “Richard Cory’s Funeral Characters”. Write a eulogy for the funeral or a letter in the character of the two people you chose. Essentially you are filling in “the gap” in information left by his suicide. How might your characters be able to explain why Richard killed himself? Pick two people from “Richard Cory’s Funeral Characters”. Write a eulogy for the funeral or a letter in the character of the two people you chose. Essentially you are filling in “the gap” in information left by his suicide. How might your characters be able to explain why Richard killed himself?

Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him We people on the pavement looked at him He was a gentleman from sole to crown, He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim. Clean favored, and imperially slim. And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked And he was always human when he talked But still he fluttered pulses when he said, But still he fluttered pulses when he said, "Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked. "Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked. And he was rich—yes, richer than a king— And admirably schooled in every grace; And admirably schooled in every grace; In fine we thought that he was everything In fine we thought that he was everything To make us wish that we were in his place. To make us wish that we were in his place. So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread; And went without the meat, and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and put a bullet through his head. Went home and put a bullet through his head.

Richard Cory by Simon and Garfunkel They say that Richard Cory owns one They say that Richard Cory owns one half of this whole town, With political connections to spread his wealth around. Born into society, a banker's only child, He had everything a man could want: power, grace, and style. Chorus: half of this whole town, With political connections to spread his wealth around. Born into society, a banker's only child, He had everything a man could want: power, grace, and style. Chorus: But I work in his factory And I curse the life I'm living And I curse my poverty And I wish that I could be, Oh, I wish that I could be, Oh, I wish that I could be Richard Cory. The papers print his picture almost everywhere he goes: Richard Cory at the opera, Richard Cory at a show. And the rumor of his parties and the orgies on his yacht! Oh, he surely must be happy with everything he's got. The papers print his picture almost everywhere he goes: Richard Cory at the opera, Richard Cory at a show. And the rumor of his parties and the orgies on his yacht! Oh, he surely must be happy with everything he's got. Repeat Chorus He freely gave to charity, he had the common touch, And they were grateful for his patronage and thanked him very much, So my mind was filled with wonder when the evening headlines read: "Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head.“ Repeat Chorus