What is literary irony?

What is literary irony?

• A. Demonstrates the opposite of what is said or done
• B. Uses words opposite to the meaning
• C. What happens contrasts with what was expected
• D. Narrative informs audiences of more than its characters know

Answer: (A)

Irony in literature centers on a contrast between what is expected or believed and what actually occurs or is meant. That gap between appearance or anticipation and reality is what gives irony its effect, whether it’s a twist in events, a character’s words, or what the audience knows. Because of that, the broad, most encompassing idea is that what happens contrasts with what was expected. Verbal irony—where someone says the opposite of what they mean—fits as a specific kind, and dramatic irony—where the audience knows more than the characters—fits as another specific kind. The option about what happens versus expectation captures the general sense of irony across these forms, which is why it’s the best fit for defining literary irony overall.

Irony in literature centers on a contrast between what is expected or believed and what actually occurs or is meant. That gap between appearance or anticipation and reality is what gives irony its effect, whether it’s a twist in events, a character’s words, or what the audience knows.

Because of that, the broad, most encompassing idea is that what happens contrasts with what was expected. Verbal irony—where someone says the opposite of what they mean—fits as a specific kind, and dramatic irony—where the audience knows more than the characters—fits as another specific kind. The option about what happens versus expectation captures the general sense of irony across these forms, which is why it’s the best fit for defining literary irony overall.