Question

What is irony? the use of animal characters to teach a lesson or moral the use of characters and events to symbolize human truths the act of giving human characteristics to animal characters in a story the creation of a disconnect between what is expected and what occursfter finally finishing your paper for history, you drop it in a puddle of water. “Oh great! That is just what I need!” you exclaim. You are at the zoo when it starts to rain, and the elephants emerge from their stall. “The elephants seem to love the rain,” you say. Your mom comes into your room and sees clothes strewn on the floor. “I think you’re going to win an award for cleanliness,” she says. You explain to your little brother why you know that Romeo and Juliet will not turn out well. “It says at the beginning that they are star-crossed lovers.”

Answer 1

Irony is a literary device that demonstrates a contrast between expectations and reality, often incorporating humor. It comes in different forms, such as situational, verbal, and dramatic irony, each portraying contrast or contradiction in its own way to enrich the reader's experience.

Step-by-step explanation:

Irony is a literary device that involves a disconnect between what is expected and what actually occurs. It is a form of humor used by writers to highlight contrasts between expectations and reality, fostering a deeper understanding of the text.

• For example, when you exclaim, “Oh great! That is just what I need!” after dropping your history paper in a puddle, you are expressing situational irony, because the situation results in an outcome opposite to what you expected.
• Similarly, when your mom sarcastically comments on the mess in your room, that is an example of verbal irony, where words express something contrary to truth or someone says the opposite of what they really feel or mean, often in a humorous way.
• Literary works also employ irony, as seen in Romeo and Juliet, where the audience is aware from the beginning that the protagonists' relationship will end tragically, despite the characters' unawareness, creating dramatic irony.

Irony is distinct from satire, which seeks to critique or mock societal flaws, often with humor, but with the aim of inspiring change or insight. Charles Dickens and Jonathan Swift are famous for their use of satire and irony to engage and provoke thoughts in their readers.