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Use Of Irony In A Tale Of Two Cities

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Irony is very apparent in the novel and a great deal if not all of the characters and plot were touched by irony. It was quite ironic that Dr. Manette, who longs for revenge against the Evremonde family, should find himself the father-in-law to the heir. It is even more ironic that Manette’s love for Lucie and Darnay puts an end to his vengeful feelings and brings him back to his normal state. Also, the fact that Dr. Manette adores Darnay, yet ends up condemning his son-in-law by writing a letter attacking the Evremonde family. Darnay’s dislike and disapproval of Carton are quite ironic, considering Carton gives his life for Darnay. Another ironic aspect of A Tale of Two Cities occurs when the evil and cruel Madame Defarge turns out to be the missing sister Charles Darnay had been searching for her. The novel, A Tale of Two Cities is filled with ironic moments and character decisions. Through the …show more content…

Symbolism “implies the use of an object, an idea, or a person in a larger or wider deeper sense than is literary conveyed by that object” (Word reference) “It`s clear of course, that the special nature of Dickens`s art lies in his extraordinary command of language.” (Reynolds 55) by portraying the broken wine cask outside Defarge’s wine shop, Dickens uses the spilled wine as a symbol for the coming bloodshed; “the wine was red wine, and had stained the ground of the narrow street in the suburb of Saint Antoine” and the passing peasants’ crowd to lick the spilling wine. The spilled wine represents the blood that will be spilled in the streets. The wine also covers the people symbolizing the further pain that the people will suffer in their own revolution, which will fail at the end because the peasants cannot control their own.

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462 Words | 2 Pages

The use of irony helped move the plot along, and it made the story easy to read and follow along with. Irony helped show that in times of war, sides don’t exactly matter. You could be a patriot, but then be killed by your own friends, or you could be a loyalist and be killed at the hands of the British. During war, everyone must care for

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240 Words | 1 Pages

In The City of Ember, irony occurs throughout the story. For instance, Doon discovers the mayor’s treasure room in the pipeworks. “‘The mayor has a secret treasure room in the pipeworks’” (158). By observing this quote, we can see that the mayor has a connection with Looper because when Looper states, “‘Message for the mayor,’ he said… delivery at eight’” (31).

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1493 Words | 6 Pages

The examples of irony listed above are only a few places in the book where irony is obviously present. Along with the instances already mentioned, there are also broader cases of irony in the novel that may not be so easily depicted. A dead and rotting body being hauled city to city for more than a week before it finally buried is humorous in itself. A youngster making holes in a coffin because he doesn’t truly understand that the person inside is dead also strikes the reader as comical. Furthermore, making a cast out of cement which ends up making the problem worse, and then busting off the cast with hammer and wedge is completely ironic and cannot help but encourage a good chuckle.

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204 Words | 1 Pages

In The City of Ember, irony occurs throughout the novel. Consequently, the mayor steals food from his own people. Doon found this out when he and Lina were lurking in the pipeworks: “‘The mayor has a secret treasure room in the pipeworks’”(158). Doon’s discovery leads up to him telling the guards the mayor is stealing. Since the guards also get the goods from the mayor, they decide to put a bounty on Lina and Doon.

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217 Words | 1 Pages

In the City of Ember, irony occurs throughout the novel. As an example, the mayor steals food from the citizens of Ember. Doon exclaims, “‘It’s a solution for him, not the rest of us. He gets everything he needs, and we get the leftover!” (158).

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752 Words | 4 Pages

Irony can be many different things and situational irony stood out when Jack sets the fire to roust Ralph from the forest. This is a violent seen, Ralph and jack go at it, they were always in competition with each other. Not knowing that this was the scene that was going to get them rescued, it turned the book around. "The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away."

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114 Words | 1 Pages

Irony is also one of the important theme represented in the play. A successful irony is used to make an audience consider what has happened or said to emphasize an idea. Normally when a character is portrayed in an ironic sense, the person can only be saved from previous foolishness by divine intervention. Irony is evident in the words spoken by Madame Pernelle, in Act 1 Scene 1 as she is criticizing Elmire: “Daughter-in-law, please take this well/Behavior such as yours leads straight to hell.” (1.1.27-28).

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660 Words | 3 Pages

Authors use irony, conflict and characterization in short stories to catch the attention of readers. Situational irony is used to create suspense in the stories. Conflict is used to create an active plot that involves person vs. person and person vs. self conflict. In short stories, characterization is used by dialog and direct characterization to create character personalities. “The Most Dangerous Game”, “Scarlet Ibis” and “Gift of the Magi” all use irony, conflict and characterization to engage the readers.

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630 Words | 3 Pages

In the text, Irony is used to really create a lot of the conflicts in the

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1446 Words | 6 Pages

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.

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635 Words | 3 Pages

Guy de Maupassant utilizes situational irony to create a sense of justice for the reader. By reading these two short stories, it is obvious, the authors create emotion by using situational irony. The humorous short story “ The Ransom of Redchief “ by

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498 Words | 2 Pages

Irony is revealed as a technique, where it is used to show power and control. The capitol’s (totalitarian government) oppression over the districts is rather ironic since they rely on the resources that the districts supply but keep them subjugated and starved. This irony represents the imbalance of power between the capitol and the districts, where the capitol has a priority to stay in power. The theme of power and control could also be seen in the setting of the novel. The lower districts could be seen as a dehumanised, disease ridden lifestyle displayed among the civilians.

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1208 Words | 5 Pages

Irony can be seen throughout the story in the words and phrases of the character. The irony can create a disturbing, yet slightly humorous scene with the audience not knowing what’s coming for the characters. In the short story, The Cask Of Amontillado, irony can be seen through the conversations of the two characters, Montresor and Fortunato. Although, Montresor is the character with most literary devices. Verbal irony can be seen in the story when Montresor told the “attendees” to stay in the house while he was gone.

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686 Words | 3 Pages

One clear example of irony occurs when Laurie’s mother attends the PTA Meeting. For example “you must have your hands full in that kindergarten, with Charles.” Then the teacher states “Charles?” “We don't have any Charles in this kindergarten.” (Page 476)

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1967 Words | 8 Pages

Tartuffe uses irony to steal their wealth and seduce Elmire, Orgon’s wife. In Tartuffe, Moliere uses irony to show how Madame Pernelle and Orgon were so easily deceived by Tartuffe and emphasizes the theme of hypocrisy through Tartuffe’s actions, deceit and lies.

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