Ederic Oytas 4/9/18 Per. 5 Anthem By Ayn Rand 105 pp. Signet. $5 Anthem is a novel originally written by Ayn Rand in 1938, then revised and republished in 1946.
Throughout life, influences like family, media, and friends could shape a person for the future. Most people even look up to certain figures throughout one's life such as parents and grandparents. These role models can cause one to alter their choices and lifestyles as one's life grows and develops. David Barry’s friendly letter “Dave Barry teaches his grandson life’s lessons- beginning with ketchup” is a high level comedy piece that uses sarcasm and situational irony in order to convey the universal truth that one should do what they believe is right instead of following others.
The television series Shameless depicts a dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher who is a single father of six children in which he spends most of his days on drugs and having misadventures while his kids learn to take care of themselves and survive with doing petty jobs to keep their house. Among the many characters are Fiona, Carl, and Frank. Fiona is the main protagonist who is like the mother of the family and maintains the family afloat but the other siblings have to do their part in the household. Carl is the second youngest boy in the family who has struggles with fitting in society and tries to find who he is by being apart of different groups. In season six, episode three of the series, each characters uses satirical and comedic devices to address social issues of poverty, society, and parenthood that is shown through verbal irony, dramatic irony and understatement.
Throughout history, irony has been used in a multitude of ways. It is not just a way to inject humor into a story, but a way to slip a message in without saying it flat out. By doing that, it allows the reader to take in the information, and possibly come to the conclusion that the author wanted them to. This way, though, it does not seem like something forced upon them. Authors who used this tactic were Frederick Douglass in The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Mark Twain in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Storms make trees grow deeper roots. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird Scout is friends with Dill and her brother Jem. Dill only comes by in the summer, when they are all hanging around they love to play games about how weird Boo Radley is or they try to sneak over to his house and mess around with him. But they don’t realize that later he may be their savoir. Scout learns to look at all situation’s through others' perspectives through messing with Boo Radley and the house he lives in which shows that everyone is unique in their own ways.
Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” is a short story that unfolds through the perspective of Bub. The story begins with the depiction of Bub’s narrow-mindedness and as the story progresses, it becomes clear that his perspective shifts after an encounter with his wife’s blind friend Robert. It’s through his encounter that he has an epiphany. His jealousy towards Robert and intoxication that debunk his preconceived notations and highlight the connection between him and Robert. Only, after his epiphany that he’s drawn out of his obliviousness and he gains insight.
There is a strong sense of irony in the short story “The Interlopers” because Nature always seems to take its course, especially when the feuding men turn friends think they are in control of the situation. In an attempt to be saved the men issued, “hunting calls” (Saki online). Typically, a hunting call is in an attempt to lure in animals to be hunted and killed. The two men were successful in luring in animals, however, it is likely these animals will not be helpful for the men to surround themselves with. The ending of the story is an example of irony, “Wolves” (Saki 301).
The Ironic Truth Irony is a complex and important element of literature that can help discover hidden perspectives within characters or hide the truth in plain sight. The story by Edgar Allen Poe, “The Cask of Amontillado” is a great example the dark ironic twist that happen in the story. The main character, Montresor, is hell-bent on getting his revenge on the man who shamed him, Fortunato. The verbal and dramatic irony that is being used in the story “The Cask of Amontillado” helps hide the true intentions that Montresor has planned for Fortunato. Verbal irony happens when one character says one thing but actually means something completely different.
Federigo’s Falcon’s Irony Authors use irony to make their audience stop and think about what has just been said, excite the reader, build suspense, or to even emphasize the idea. There are three types of irony: Verbal, Situational, and Dramatic. In Federigo’s Falcon by Giovanni Boccaccio, all three types of irony are used in different ways throughout the story. For instance, a clear example of Situational Irony is at the end of short story.
Discipline is essential in raising a child. Betty Davis said, “Discipline is a symbol of caring to a child. He needs guidance. If there is love, there is no such thing as being too tough with a child... If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.”
The Simpsons is an American cartoon sitcom which depicts a working class family that consists of Homer the father, Marge the mother, Bart the oldest son, Lisa the oldest daughter and Maggie the youngest daughter. The show uses satirical humor to portray American society, culture and human conditions. In this particular episode Homer becomes ashamed of his family after a picnic gone wrong and then decides to enroll the family in therapy. The therapist struggles to solve the family’s problems and gives up, and in the end the Simpsons get their money back and are living dysfunctional family unity once again. To begin with, there are many stereotypes that are mentioned in this episode of the Simpsons.
Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is an example of how archetypal irony can shape an entire work. Gregor Samsa our main character is not concerned at all with his own personal wellbeing when he awakes to discover this twist. He is concerned with the inconvenience that it may have on those around him. Even through his death we see the truth behind those who he is most concerned with, which in itself is ironic. Irony is first seen when a man wakes up to find that a cruel twist of fate has turned him into a giant beetle.
David Sedaris’s use of verbal irony achieves the greatest comic effect due to the way he uses it to be humorous and foolish. The irony is the greatest due to the contrast he creates with his words. On page 13, Sedaris states, “Her english was flawless. ‘I really, really hate you.’” (Sedaris 13).
“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.
In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” readers are dropped into a deep conflict. A man must tell a woman that her husband is dead. In the beginning there is a subtle hint at the ironic twist ending, but the story goes on cooly in spite of it. Readers start to feel connected to Mrs. Mallard and begins to pity her situation, all because of irony. The effect of irony in Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” enhances the protagonist’s situation, it introduces the effect of the foreshadowing, and indirectly characterizes the protagonist.
