Irony and Ambiguity

Irony and Ambiguity Strategic Reading

Irony Definition: The difference between what we expect and what actually happens.

In Literature, there are Three Major Types of Irony - Verbal Irony - Situational Irony - Dramatic Irony

Verbal Irony Definition: Occurs when someone SAYS something that MEANS the exact OPPOSITE. Example: Someone says “it’s a lovely day” when it’s flooded.

Situational Irony Definition: An event that is opposite of what we expected. • Example: The fire hydrant is burning. The weakest player on a wrestling team is the winner of a wrestling match.

Example of Situational Irony

Dramatic Irony • Definition: Dramatic Irony occurs when we know what is going to happen to a character but the character does not know. • Example 1: Margo opens the door to a garage that we (the reader) already know is filled with snakes. • Example 2: We the audience know, but the robbers do not know, that the hotel they plan to rob is host to a police convention.

Example of Dramatic Irony • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK2Btk6Ybm0

Example of Dramatic Irony: Home Alone Kevin, an 8 year old boy, is left home alone to protect his house from two house robbers. Throughout the film, we see several scenes that illustrate dramatic irony. The house robbers believe that the 8 year old boy will not hurt them or disrupt their plans to rob the neighborhood. We as the audience know differently- Kevin has, in fact, set up clever traps to stop the burglars. The dramatic irony is that we, the audience, know Kevin will succeed and that the burglars will face great punishment from Kevin, even though they see him as a harmless 8 year old.

Now Let’s Check for Understanding • When someone says something that means the exact opposite, we call this….

Answer • Verbal Irony

Now Let’s Check for Understanding • When an event is the exact opposite of what is expected, we call this…

Answer • Situational Irony is when an event is the exact opposite of what is expected.

Now Let’s Check for Understanding • A fire hydrant is burning. This is an example of what type of irony?

Answer • The fire hydrant is burning is an example of SITUATIONAL IRONY.

Now Let’s Check for Understanding • A pair of robbers think they can rob the neighborhood because it is only protected by an 8 year old boy. We the audience know that the boy has set up dangerous traps and that he is not as harmless as he seems. This is an example of what type of irony?

Answer Dramatic Irony

Ambiguity • Definition: A quality that allows something to be interpreted in several different or conflicting ways.

Something to Remember: There are No Right or Wrong Answers! If you and a friend have completely different ideas about an ambiguous character or the ambiguous ending of a story, you both might be “right”. There is no single way to interpret an ambiguous story. That is part of its fun. Ambiguity is often used in Mystery/Horror fiction.

Examples of Ambiguity in “August Heat” • At the end of the short story “August Heat”, the protagonist James stays at Atkinson’s house until midnight. According to the gravestone Atkinson carved, James will die by midnight. During the climax, Atkinson sharpens a chisel in front of James. • Question of Ambiguity: Do you think Atkinson intended to kill James? (Remember, there is no right or wrong answer with ambiguous endings.)

Many Possible Interpretations to the Ambiguous Ending in “August Heat” • Interpretation 1)Atkinson did plan to murder James with the chisel. Atkinson was indeed the criminal that James had witnessed in trial.

Your Own Interpretation • With a partner, brainstorm a secondpossible ending to “August Heat”. Record your answer in your Cornell Notes section under “August Heat” Examples

Exit Pass: Quick Write • In at least three sentences, please explain and defend your choice of the best possible ending to “August Heat”. Please cite details from the story to defend your choice.

Irony and Ambiguity