English 1102‚ 12:30‚ TR September 3‚ 2009 Essay #2 –Fiction Irony in “A Cask of Amontillado” Verbal irony has a meaning (often contradictory) concealed behind the apparent meaning of a word or phrase in order to get a point across; whereas situation irony is often coincidental and contradictory to the situation at hand in an improbable way. Throughout the story “A Cask of Amontillado”‚ Edger Allen Poe uses verbal and situational irony to add a touch of macabre humor‚ build suspense‚ and foreshadow
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Irony is the general name given to literary techniques that involve surprising‚ interesting‚or amusing contradictions. 1 Two stories that serve as excellent demonstrations of irony are "The Pardoners Tale" and "The Nun’s Priest’s Tale‚" both from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. Although these two stories are very different‚ they both use irony to teach a lesson. Of the stories‚ "The Pardoners Tale" displays the most irony. First and foremost‚ the entire telling of the story is ironic‚ considering
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The Pardoner’s Tale: Irony Nearly every aspect of the Pardoner’s tale is ironic. Irony exists within the story itself and in the relationship between the Pardoner and the story. The ending of the story presents a good message despite the Pardoner’s devious intentions to swindle money from the other pilgrims. By using irony in the Pardoner’s tale‚ Chaucer effectively criticizes the church system. The irony begins as soon as the Pardoner starts his prologue. He tells the other pilgrims
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Chaucer’s Use of Irony in The Canterbury Tales In The Canterbury Tales‚ Geoffrey Chaucer compiles a mixture of stories on a pilgrimage into a figurative depiction of the medieval society in which he lived. Chaucer’s stories have a punch and pizzazz‚ which‚ to an average reader‚ seem uncommon to the typical medieval writer‚ making his story more delightful. Certain things account for this pizzazz‚ especially the author’s use of irony. Many of Chaucer’s characters are ironic in the sense that they
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types of irony such as basic irony which is the use of word to convey a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning. Situational irony which is the moment a characters actions have the opposite of their intended effect. Finally there is dramatic irony which occurs when there is a contrast between the readers knowledge and the knowledge of the characters in the work. However situational irony is what mostly transpires in Kate Chopin short story "The Story of an Hour" Situational irony is used
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poem “Barbie Doll”‚ by Marge Piercy‚ the use of imagery‚ symbolism‚ and irony expresses a tragic‚ cruel society that emphasizes appearance above personality and unrealistic beauty ideals above health and happiness. Throughout the poem a young girl is raised and bullied to believe that her appearance is the most important aspect of her self. Her self worth is torn apart until she dies. The use of imagery‚ symbolism‚ and irony works to deliver a heartbreaking message about the flawed society that existed
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Irony: Oedipus‚ the King. Irony: The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite‚ typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Oedipus‚ the King is a story full of dramatic irony. The irony gives the plot a well rounded shape but also helps the readers‚ or audience follow the story much better. It makes for an extremely interesting read. Oedipus from the start is doomed for failure‚ but what makes this story so “interesting” to the reader’s or audience is
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The role of “dramatic irony” is expressed in many ways through the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare.The dramatic irony plays a very important role in this play because it builds up into the theme. The theme of this play would be ambition. Macbeth had the ambition to become king and that’s what he did‚he got what he wanted.¨ I dare do all that may become a man.¨ ( Act 1 Scene 7 Line 51) Macbeth would do anything it takes to be a man. The way that dramatic irony is shown is in the one
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An Introduction to Satire sat.ire n. 1. 2. A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony‚ derision‚ or wit. Irony‚ sarcasm‚ or caustic [bitterly cutting/burning] wit used to attack or expose folly‚ vice‚ or stupidity. (dictionary.com) Ian Johnston‚ retired instructor at Malaspina University-College‚ Nanaimo‚ British Columbia‚ Canada‚ offers helpful information in more clearly defining the use and characteristics of satire: Purpose of Satire: “If we see someone or
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destruction‚ portraying Oedipus as a helpless pawn of fate. The most prominent literary device is dramatic irony‚ primarily of the spoken word‚ through which--especially in the Prologue--Sophocles captures audience attention‚ illuminates Oedipus’ arrogant personality‚ and foreshadows the events of the final scenes. It is not difficult to understand why Sophocles resorts to dramatic irony in the construction of his play. He is working with much the same problem a modern-day playwright would face
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