Irony: a contrast in which one facet of a story mocks another
Irony is a technique writers can use to hint at the complexity of an experience using an economy of words. By suggesting meaning without having to go into lengthy explanations, the writer can create a lasting impact on the reader. There are three kinds of irony in fiction:
1) Verbal
This kind of irony is the simplest and least impactful kind. When a character says something that has the opposite meaning from what he or she intended, it becomes a simple play on words. Verbal irony is often used for comedic effect.
2) Dramatic
Dramatic irony is a direct contrast between what a character says and what the reader knows to be true. An author can use this type of irony to plunge deeper into a character, as the said comment can reveal truths about the character's value system and core beliefs.
3) Irony of Situation
The most impactful kind on irony, this writer's tool presents a discrepancy between appearance and reality. Expectation and fulfillment. An example would be the hunter becoming the hunted.
Okay, your turn. Can you think of an example in film or fiction that uses one of the three types of irony to deepen the audience's experience?
4 comments:
Verbal irony from The Lord Of The Rings: Frodo is leaving at the end, keeping his friends from further danger and leaving behind Sam. Frodo tells Sam to go back, that he's going on. Alone.
Sam replies: "Yes you are. And I'm going with you."
Sam keeps wading into the water and toward Frodo, finally putting himself in danger of drowning. I love this scene.
Dramatic Irony:
The scene in THE SCARLET LETTER when Hester Prynne is trying to keep Pearl from being taken away and she asks Reverend Dimmesdale to support her position. Of course, the reader knows Dimmesdale and Hester are partners in sin, but the other characters do not.
Situational Irony:
Also in THE SCARLET LETTER--Through sin, Reverend Dimmsdale became a better, more passionate minister. This is a direct contrast to the reader and other characters' expectation that a pure soul makes the best minister.
The serendipity of the post I had written for today and your post on irony is amazing. Blake Synder says irony is one of the 4 necessary elements to sell the screenplay. The irony of situation example is Die Hard: A cop comes to Los Angeles to meet his estranged wife and her office building is taken over by terrorists.
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