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Use Of Irony In The Hunger Games And The Lottery

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Irony is often used in literature to illustrate certain situations to the audience. In some pieces of literature that might be pointing out an unjust system, in others that might be to add a comedic effect, but whatever situation the author wants to illustrate, irony is very beneficial. Through small and witty, one-liners, or a bigger dramatic irony situation contrasting two very different situations, irony can be very beneficial for the reader to understand the story. Both “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins have a corrupt dystopian society. Through the use of irony, the author can portray the corruptness to the audience. Transition!!! Irony is used in both “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and The Hunger …show more content…

One of the most prominent aspects of irony in both is that both Tessie and Katniss seem to be making fun of their society in a way. Tessie cheers out for her husband when he goes forward to draw the slip of paper for his family. According to Zhu Yuhan “When the result of the lottery is announced, her earlier easiness and peacefulness passes away” (“Ironies in The Lottery”). Tessie is fine with making a small commotion upon her arrival and when the mood is light, but when her husband reveals he has the chosen slip of paper she loses it. She throws a fit and tries to refuse it and blame others. Likewise, Katniss seems to be making fun of the popular slogan of the Hunger Games: “May the odds be ever in your favor.” Obviously the odds are not in anyone’s favor because at the end of the day the tributes are either going to die or they are going to kill everyone else and have to live with the memories for the rest of their lives. Their is no real winner in that situation, yet the Capital makes it seem like a fun game, the Hunger “Games”. Capital children are mocking it because they know they never have to live it. According to Maria Magher, “The people of District 12 suffer daily from hunger and poverty. Even those who live in wealthier districts are still …show more content…

And who is to know, what if we did not have literature like this to make us question morality? What if, instead, we just accepted everything other people tell us without wondering if it is true or not. More and more in today’s society there are people, people like Katniss and Tessie, who are willing to stand up and fight against the injustice that is oppressing the

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