Irony: Definition, Meaning and Examples
Irony is a literary device derived from ancient Greece and used in Greek dramas to create and highlight various dramatic situations. It is used to highlight the difference between various apparent and hidden things. The use of it illustrates the difference in Greek dramas between something on the surface level and something else on the hidden level.
People also use it especially for humor when they want to say something but mean something else. There are also some other names that are used instead of it like sarcasm, sardonicism, dryness, humor, satire, wit, causticity, and sharpness. It is used as a figure of speech in literature in order to express the meaning that is opposite from its literal and dictionary meaning.
Irony: an important figure of speech
This device is used by writers to show a contrast between what is said and what is meant. It can be seen in the play in such a way that when all the people sitting in front are expecting something else from the character and the story, but the reality is the opposite and what those people are thinking is nothing like this in the story. It doesn’t happen and on the contrary, something else happens.
History is full of many writers who have done a great job on it and brought him to great success and advancements. Many writers and philosophers have devoted their services to this work, they have written such masterpieces in which the use of it can be understood very clearly. They have used it in dramas, stories, novels and other literary works. Some major writers who work on it includes Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates.
Meaning of irony in Hindi and Urdu
In Hindi its meaning is Vidambana while in Urdu its meaning is Tanz or Ahini
Summary
Irony is a such type of literary device which is considered master of surprise. It is used to describe the difference of appearance and reality. This rhetorical device uncovered the truths and laughter unleashed by revealing the delightful contradiction of life. It has thought provoking, humorous and tragic effects on the readers or listeners. Many writers and philosophers have devoted their services to this work, they have written such masterpieces and in it the use of this literary device can be understood very clearly.
They have used it in dramas, stories, novels and other literary works. Some major writers who worked on it includes Plato, Aristotle, Socrates and Shakespeare. This tool can be seen in the play in such a way that when all the people sitting in front are expecting something else from the character and the story, but the reality is the opposite and what those people are thinking is nothing like this in the story, it doesn’t happen and on the contrary, something else happens.
Examples of ironical works in literature
Apart from philosophers, there are many other writers who have contributed in this field, whose names and works are given below:
1) Jonathan Swift is a remarkable Irish writer who employed it in his many great works. His most famous works that are remarkable due to his use of this figure of speech include A Modest Proposal and Gulliver’s Travels. He has used this literary device a lot in his two works to convey this meaning which is something else in reality but his hidden meaning is something else.
2) Jane Austen has also made significant contributions in the field of this literary device and her most notable works are Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. She has tried to describe the realities and hardships going on in the society through her works.
3) Oscar Wilde is considered to be one of the greatest masters of using this tool who has made many significant contributions to the field of wit and literary devices. He used it in his plays like The Importance of Being Earnest and in his epigrams. In his work The Importance of Being Earnest, the writer has used the name of Ernest in an ironical way.
4) Voltaire has also made his mark in the world by performing many outstanding works in the field of ironical description and his famous work on it is Candide which is appreciated all over the world.
5) George Orwell played a crucial role in the field of it through his many works like 1984 and Animal Farm. He presented the social norms, situations of the society and political system in his works.
All these writers mentioned above have done very significant services in the field of this figure of speech and have written such masterpieces which are appreciated till now.
Types of irony
There are many different types of it that people use a lot in literature and discourse, but the most important are as follows:
Verbal Irony
In this type the writers or speakers say something in sarcastic and exaggerated way. For example, when someone clearly commits a mistake and saying of “Great job” on it will be an ironical statement.
Situation irony
This is also known as cosmic or irony of fate. This thing happens when outcomes of the situation is totally opposite to the expected situation. For instance, A fire station is burning down.
Dramatic irony
It occurs when the audience or readers know something about which the characters of the story don’t have any idea. This thing leads to tension, humor or tragedy. For example, in the play audience knows that the character of the story is on a way to dangerous situation but the character remains unaware for creating suspense and anticipation
Conclusion
To be concluded, it is a literary device that people use to convey the meaning that is different from the literal meaning or expectation. People use this literary tool to say the things that has a contrast between what is meant and what is said.
