IRONYShort Story Unit

THREE TYPES Dramatic Irony Verbal Irony (similar to sarcasm) Situational Irony

DRAMATIC IRONY The difference between what a

character thinks and says, and what the audience or reader knows is true

DRAMATIC IRONY Occurs often in movies: When

we see the “bad guy” approaching someone and they do not realize it yet – we then know something they do not know.

Cinderella: we knew it was her slipper, but no one else did.

VERBAL IRONY The difference between what is

said and what is meant

VERBAL IRONY "The cake is as soft as concrete"

- the person wants to tell that the cake is not so soft to eat.

"Water is as clear as mud" - The person actually says that the water is not at all clear.

"Isn't it as pleasant as a root canal?" - This implies that whatever occurred was not pleasant at all.

VERBAL IRONY You end up having to do

something you don’t want to and you say, "Oh Great". This may look like sarcasm but it is verbal Irony

You got completely drenched in rain and scoff at your wet clothes while your friends says, "lucky you" - verbal irony.

SITUATIONAL IRONY The difference between what

actually happens and what is expected.

SITUATIONAL IRONY When John Hinckley attempted to

assassinate Ronald Reagan, all of his shots initially missed the President; however, a bullet ricocheted off the bullet-proof Presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest. Thus, a vehicle made to protect the President from gunfire instead directed gunfire to the president.

SITUATIONAL IRONY The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Dorothy

travels to a wizard and fulfills his challenging demands to go home, before discovering she had the ability to go back home all the time.

The Scarecrow longs for intelligence, only to discover he is already a genius.

Tin Man longs to be capable of love, only to discover he already has a heart.

The Lion, who at first appears to be a whimpering coward, turns out to be bold and fearless.

IRONY EXAMPLES

IRONY EXAMPLES Verbal Irony

IRONY EXAMPLES

IRONY EXAMPLES Situational Irony

IRONY EXAMPLES

IRONY EXAMPLES Situational Irony

IRONY EXAMPLES

IRONY EXAMPLES Dramatic Irony

Irony in “The Interlopers” Verbal? Situational? Dramatic?

Review questions for “The Interlopers”

1. List three adjectives you would use to describe Saki’s story.

2. What moment is the climax of the story?3. What is ironic about the ending of the

story?4. What do you think might happen next? Is

more than one interpretation possible?5. Find places in the text where the word

“interlopers” is used. What is an interloper? Who are the interlopers in the story?

6. What is the weather like on this night? Do you think the story would have had the same mood if it took place in a different setting?