Irony and Ambiguity

1. Irony and Ambiguity Unit 4 Lecture Notes

2. Introduction – The truth about fiction • Well written fiction will reflect some human experience, which may be related to the theme. • The fiction writer must first convince the reader that the story being told is the actual truth. • For this to happen, the reader must believe in the story as a reflection of some human experience. • How to do this??? - “telling it like it is” • Giving the characters and events all the peculiarities of real life.

3. Irony • Irony • Discrepancy or difference between what we expect or what seems suitable and what actually happens. • For example: We elect a mayor who ran his campaign on the idea of “honesty,” but he ends up being caught with the missing pension fund. • At times, irony is so surprising, it can even be comical. But, not always! • Irony tends to be satisfying to individuals because it comes from our recognition that it is true – that life rarely fulfills our expectations and often astounds or surprises us.

4. Types of Irony • Verbal Irony • When someone says one thing, but they mean the opposite. • A wife says to her husband, “Thank you so much for helping me with the dishes.” (as he sits on the couch) • Situational Irony • A situation is described to us that is not just surprising, but is actually the opposite of what we expected. • The example regarding the mayor on the previous slide is an example of this. • Dramatic Irony • When we (the audience or reader) knows something the character(s) does not know. • We know the killer is in the room that the girl in going in; however, she doesn’t know this, and goes in to hide.

5. Ambiguity • Ambiguity = lack of clarity, vagueness, uncertainty, or doubt. • Stories, just as in real life experiences, reveal ambiguity, by offering us several conflicting consequences or meanings – leaving us (the audience / reader) to figure it out. • For example: An ambiguous ending leaves some unanswered questions. • We may be able to decide the outcome ourselves in this situation, using evidence from the story to support our choice.

6. Applying Irony and Ambiguity to Literature • Irony and ambiguity can apply to every aspect of storytelling • Basic plot elements • E.g. background info or what happens afterwards • Characterization • E.g. characteristics or why a character is the way they are • The story’s ending • E.g. the outcome of the conflict • The story’s theme • E.g. the why of the story? • Etc.

7. Effect of Irony and Ambiguity • Typically, the stories that have ironic or ambiguous elements are the ones we remember. • Meaning… the most famous or remembered stories are the ones that are not the easiest to understand. • Instead, the best stories are the ones that present life and people the way the truly are: complicated, unpredictable, and mysterious.

8. Practice with Irony - Assignment • Read “The Gift of the Magi” on pg. 287-292. • Divide a sheet of paper into four sections. Title the sections: “motivation,” “title,” “theme,” and “irony.” Answer the questions below in the appropriate section. • What motivates each of the main characters (Della and Jim) in this story? • What is the meaning of the title? *What is the real “gift” referred to in the title? • Identify the theme of this story. • Provide a bullet-pointed list of examples to support your choice. • Identify the type of irony being used (overall) in this story. • Provide a complete bullet-pointed list of examples to support your choice. • Due beginning of class tomorrow! • *8th period = we will finish the last couple of slides tomorrow. We covered everything you need for this assignment.