Why irony is used in literature

These are not examples of irony. The title contradicts the lyrics of the song. But, ironically, this makes him unattractive to the princess and he finds himself further away from his goal than he was as a poor beggar. Sarcasm is a kind of verbal irony that has a biting or critical tone, although it can be used to express affection between friends It is one of the most common forms of irony in fiction and in real life.

List of Terms Action. Ad Hominem. Alter Ego. APA Citation. Comic Relief. Deus ex machina. Double Entendre. Dramatic irony. Extended Metaphor. Fairy Tale. Othello trusts Iago, who has become his main advisor. The audience knows that Iago is manipulating Othello and plotting against him, but Othello does not see this. In the Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast , viewers know that the Beast is actually a prince who was once very handsome, but Belle has no idea that this is the case.

In the dystopian novel Fahrenheit , firefighters burn books rather than extinguishing fires. Also ironic? This book, which makes a statement about the perils of censorship, was banned for a time in the United States. For readers, irony in literature can be extremely appealing because it reflects the unexplainable ironies and coincidences that we encounter in our own lives.

It also builds suspense, peaking our interest and at at times making it impossible to put the book down. By using irony in your own creative writing, you can add meaning to your text and make your story more intriguing for audiences. Share it with us in the comments below!

As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing.

In this story, a newly married couple decides independently to sacrifice and sell what means most to themselves in order to purchase a Christmas gift for the other. Unfortunately, the gifts they receive from each other are intended for the very prized possessions they both sold. As a result, though their sacrifices symbolize the love they have for each other, the actual gifts they receive are all but useless.

Many common phrases and situations reflect irony. Irony often stems from an unanticipated response verbal irony or an unexpected outcome situational irony. Here are some common examples of verbal and situational irony:. Irony is extremely useful as a plot device. Here are some instances of irony that have taken place:.

Though there are many forms of irony as a literary device, its three main forms are verbal, dramatic, and situational. Verbal irony sets forth a contrast between what is literally said and what is actually meant. In dramatic irony , the state of the action or what is happening as far as what the reader or viewer knows is the reverse of what the players or characters suppose it to be.

Situational irony refers to circumstances that turn out to be the reverse of what is expected or considered appropriate. Dramatic Irony is more of a vicarious violation of expectations or knowledge.

Therefore, the reader is left in suspense or conflict until the situation or information is revealed to the characters involved. Dramatic irony allows a reader the advantage of knowing or understanding something that a particular character or group of characters does not.

Overall, as a literary device, irony functions as a means of portraying a contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality.