Uses of Irony

Uses of Irony

  • Submitted By: tayboo11
  • Date Submitted: 09/27/2010 9:30 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 274
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Taylor Armstrong
English 12 Prep
Mr. Robinson
27 September 2010
Uses Of Irony
Often times, authors implement literary techniques to add certain elements in their stories. One way that authors do this is by introducing irony. Irony is an outcome of events that is contrary to what was expected. Many authors may use three different types of irony to get their point across. These types of irony are verbal, dramatic, or situational. They may apply irony to turn a story around and to give it a twist. One author who utilizes this technique is Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales. In fact, Chaucer enhances irony in his story “The Miller’s Tale.” He incorporates irony to entertain his readers, critique society, and to teach moral lessons.
One way that authors may utilize the technique of irony is to entertain the reader. By implementing irony, authors try to keep their readers entertained throughout the story. The use of irony helps emphasize the humorous remarks the author makes to make the story more enjoyable. For example, to describe a character in “The Miller’s Tale” Chaucer says, “But truth to tell, he was a bit squeamish/ Of farting and of language haughtiest” (151-152). This quote pokes fun of this character but does it in a very subtle way. This is a very respectable way to incorporate irony to entertain a reader within a story.
In every single novel that has ever been written there has always been a moral or lesson to teach in the text. Authors put forth irony in their stories by using significant details to point out the moral or lesson.

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