The novel Fahrenheit 451 written by Ray Bradbury is an outstanding book that demonstrates a lot of irony. Irony is the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect, according to Oxford Dictionaries. There are three types of irony. which are verbal, situational, and dramatic irony. In most cases, verbal irony is referred more to when words express something contrary to what someone says.
Another occurrence of irony emphasizing the flaw within the court’s process of prosecution is when he states Mary Warren’s punishment and the girl’s punishment. He states that if Mary Warren “has been conquered by Satan...her neck will break for it but if she speaks true, I bid you now drop your guile and confess your pretense, for a quick confession will go easier on you”( Miller 95). A situational irony is an event that surprises the audience. This would be considered ironic since both crimes of Mary Warren and the girls are on the same level of severity and seriousness. However, Mary Warren is the only one being killed for her confession of her crimes, while the others live.
In the story “Invitation to a Murder” by Josh Pachter, situational irony is used as the plot foundation for the story. The author communicates numerous occasions throughout the story in which situational irony is utilized. The first circumstance of situational irony is located in the title, “Invitation to a Murder”. This was situational irony due to the fact that they were supposedly invited to witness a murder, but they were truly invited to be a part of the murder. They became part of the murder when they all decided that they would force her to drink from the amber bottle.
In the short story “The Catbird Seat,” the author James Thurber develops verbal, dramatic, and situational irony by his plot structure. In the beginning of the story Mrs. Barrows says phrases like “Are you tearing up the pea patch?” Right after that an employee explains to Mr. Martin what is means. He says, “‘Tearing up the pea patch’ meant going on a rampage.” That section of the story is verbal irony because Mrs. Burrows is saying phrases she doesn't really mean.
Kate Chopin and Roald Dahl both use irony as well as similar themes of betrayal and heartbreak to motion their two very different storylines forward. Though the works take place in antithetical eras, each holds a similar calamity that results in the breaking up of the protagonists and soon to be antagonists. These moments of heartache hold relevance due to their unfortunate relatableness in today 's society. Upon further inspection of the themes and irony in Lamb to the Slaughter, and Desiree’s Baby, the reader can better understand the possible cruelties a relationship can hold as well as it 's sometimes unavoidable hardships. Both narratives bear a conspicuous similarity using irony.
In “Lamb to the Slaughter,” Roald Dahl uses irony to highlight major points. Irony contradicts what is said and what actually happens. For example, dramatic irony is present when a detective in the story states, “‘It’s probably right under our noses. What do you think, Jack?’” (Dahl).
The one time I noticed irony being used was when Sam gave his statement to the police. On page six of “Lamb to the Slaughter,” it says, “...she heard a few of the whispered phrases-- ‘acted quite normal… very cheerful… wanted to give him a good supper… peas… cheesecake… impossible that she…’” This is very ironic as Sam has made it clear that he does not believe she killed her husband, even going as far as saying it was impossible for her to do so, when she in fact did. This situation relates to Repplier’s quote as Sam’s response makes the reader realize how Mary is not going to get caught as the murderer without explicitly stating so. Another time irony was used was when the police officers conversed while they ate the lamb leg Mary had prepared.
One example of situational irony is first, the name “Fortunato” means “Fortunate” in Italian, but Fortunato is actually very unfortunate. Next, the word “cask” means “wine barrel,” but coffin also comes from the same word. So in other words, Fortunato believes he will reach a cask of wine, but in all actuality he will reach his coffin. Also, another great example of situational irony comes when Montresor has just dismembered Fortunato and exits the catacombs. Then, Montresor claims, “My heart grew sick-“(240).
In Roald Dahl’s riveting short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” dramatic irony is used to build tension. Dramatic irony is defined as a literary device where the reader knows more about a situation than the characters in the story. The main character Ms. Maloney, a devoted and tender wife, suddenly turns into a reckless murderer as her husband tells her he wants to leave. Throughout the narrative a prominent example of dramatic irony is when the policemen eat the leg of lamb. " ‘That's why the weapon should be easy to find.’
Storytelling has been the epitome of human expression for thousands of years. Along with musicians and artists, talented storytellers use their work to share ideas with others, often in an effort to evoke emotion or to persuade people to think similarly. Every element in a story is carefully crafted by the author in order to communicate a desired message to his or her audience. In Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut incorporates irony into the story to express his belief that fighting wars is illogical.
Shawn Jande Ms. Clancy American Literature B3 15 November 2015 The Crucible Analytical Essay Imagine, being accused of a crime you didn’t commit by your neighbors and friends out of jealousy, and desire. This is what many people in the town of Salem had to go through during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. People's motives such as: gaining and maintaining power, and aspirations for what other people had caused them to make irrational, and atrocious decisions. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, desire and power drive characters to create chaos in the community.
Planning with Cowardice In the book “Lamb To The Slaughter,” written by Roald Dahl, was a really cliffhanger story. During the story Mary’s husband decides he wants to leave Mary after she’s already six months pregnant with her husband. Something tweaks in her head and ends his life with a leg of lamb, that she was going to cook for dinner.
For example, in the beginning of the story, the narrator tries to prove to the reader that he is sane. “How, then, am I mad?” Later on in the story, he tells the reader “I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him.” This is verbal irony since right after he said that he is sane, he confesses to the reader that he killed the old man. After the narrator asked how he was mad, suspense kept building, making the reader question if he was really sane and going to kill the man, until he actually killed the man.
In Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, the use of an analogy, diction, and irony contribute to the anti-war portrait of Billy Pilgrim by illuminating that society’s futile and cataclysmic war efforts cause more damage than results, making war utterly useless in the grand scheme of life. One occurrence of the anti-war message Vonnegut creates in his novel is expressed when Vonnegut writes, regarding Billy Pilgrim, “He is in a constant state of stage fright, he says, because he never knows what part of his life he is going to have to act in next.” (23). This analogy to a stage play continues throughout the novel and has a strong anti-war message within it. Vonnegut constantly ties plays to Billy to demonstrate that war is romanticized
“Beasts of England”, “Ode to Napoleon”, the sheep’s chants, revised anthem, “Animal Farm, Animal Farm” are among the most relevant songs mentioned in this allegory. All the animals at the farms sing these songs together at the same time and by commanding this, pigs evoke an atmosphere of grandeur and nobility. The animals on the farm feel satisfied when singing together because it brings them a sense of community, but the animals do not realise that the real purpose of the songs is to keep them focused on the tasks. THE USE OF IRONY AND SATIRE Orwell uses point of view in Animal Farm to create irony. The story is told from the naive point of view of the lower animals.
