what is dramatic irony vs situational irony in to kill a mockingbird

W e come across irony every solar day: in our favorite movies, TV shows, and in our ain lives. Most people take a general understanding of irony simply there are also a lot of misconceptions most it. For example, w ere you lot enlightened that there are three different types of irony?

In this article, we're going to ascertain irony in all its variations. Whether you're writing a short story or a screenplay, irony can exist a powerful storytelling tool. Y ou'll be able to recognize the different types of irony and understand how they work. The next step is to carry this understanding straight into your next writing projection.

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Ironic Meaning

Pregnant of irony in literature

Irony is fundamental in storytelling.

Irony is the opposite of expectation. When what we expect to happen doesn't happen, information technology creates disharmonize.

If nosotros know the truth about a dangerous situation and nosotros watch someone else get close to that danger, it creates suspense.

When someone says one thing merely means another, it creates complexity.

All of these elements (conflict, suspense, complexity) are fundamental building blocks in storytelling. Y'all don't demand to be an expert on irony to be a good storyteller. But it certain helps. Let'southward define irony earlier we move on to the various types of irony.

Irony Definition

What is irony?

Irony is a literary device in which the reality is opposite of what we wait. The key hither is "contrary," not just different. This incongruity tin exist found in language (what we say vs. what we hateful) or circumstances (what we expect to happen vs. what actually happens).

What are the iii types of irony?

• Dramatic irony
• Verbal irony
• Situational irony

Irony can be sad and tragic, or it can funny and satirical. In other words, there are limitless means you tin can wield irony in your stories.

At that place are 3 different types of irony: dramatic, verbal, and situational. Each has a different definition and function in storytelling.

For a complete guide to irony, download our FREE ebook roofing the types of irony, examples, and how writers wield information technology.

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Ultimate Guide to Irony

Irony is an essential literary device that all writers should master. Download our FREE due east-book to go far-depth explanations and examples on topics like the major types and sub-types of irony, and the myriad of ways writers can use information technology to enrich their storytelling.

Permit's move on to some quick definitions of these primary types along with a few subtypes or irony that provide even more complexity and depth to ironic storytelling.

Dissimilar Types of Irony: Dramatic

What isdramatic irony?

Dramatic irony is when we take more information well-nigh the circumstances than a character.

Ex. When you know there's a killer shark in the ocean but the carefree beach goers have no idea they're beingness hunted.

That is dramatic irony.

SPOILER Alarm forThe Matrix .

Neo and his crew are betrayed by i of their own. If nosotros had learned of this at the moment of betrayal, we certainly would take been shocked.

But considering we acquire about it earlier any of the other characters, nosotros take a nice, juicy slice of dramatic irony.

Here's the scene as it was written in the screenplay. Follow the image link to read the unabridged scene using StudioBinder'southward screenwriting software.

Read the full scene hither

So, as with whatsoever dramatic irony example, the question becomes why practise yous let the audition know the truth before the characters do? Wouldn't it exist shocking to see Null betray his people? Nosotros would be just as dislocated and panicked as Neo and the others.

Of form, this is a subjective question: which method is best for the story? Only here's an argument for why dramatic irony works all-time in this particular scenario. Sometimes when yous become a major character plough like this, it tin experience "unearned," similar information technology came out of nowhere to be shocking for its ain sake. This style, by letting us know well in advance of Cypher'southward intentions, it doesn't experience like such a "cheat."

Here'due south the scene that shows the actual betrayal and its consequences.

Types of Irony: Dramatic Irony example

Within dramatic irony, at that place is but one subtype: tragic irony. The deviation betwixt these two types of irony is slight simply it'south an important distinction to make. Basically, tragic irony is dramatic irony with tragic consequences — it's as like shooting fish in a barrel as that.

There are also singled-out stages of dramatic irony, or the lodge of operations when deploying dramatic irony. Dramatic irony needs to be introduced, information technology needs to develop over time, and it needs to exist released. To successfully comprise dramatic irony, these stages are essential.

Acquire more most dramatic irony →

Verbal Irony Definition

What is exact irony?

Verbal irony is when someone says something, only means the opposite.

Ex. When you get an "F" on your term paper and say, "Wow, I did a really skilful task on my term paper!"

That is verbal irony.

InThe Breakfast Club, Bender (Judd Nelson) is know for his precipitous tongue. He is constantly providing quips, insults, jokes, mockery and, of course, verbal irony. Consider this scene when discussing why he isn't more involved in extracurricular activities (starting around i:xxx in this prune).

Pay attention to his responses and the clearly ironic tone he uses to deliver likes similar, "Well, I'll just run correct out and join the wrestling squad!"

Types of Irony: Verbal irony example

Here'due south the scene every bit it was written in the screenplay. His line, "Oh, God! Yous ritchies are so smart, that'southward exactly why I'm non heavy in activities!" is a bang-up example of exact irony. Once again, nosotros are clued into his irony more often than not through his delivery and performance, leaving no uncertainty that he doesn't mean what he says.

Follow the image link to read the entire scene in StudioBinder.

Read the total scene here

Within this verbal irony general definition, there are 4 types of verbal irony:

• Sarcasm
• Understatement
• Overstatement
• Socratic irony

Each one brings a particular element so understanding which i to utilize and for what purpose is essential. Y'all can discover links to each of these in navigation at the bottom of the folio.

Learn more about verbal irony →

Situational Irony Definition

What is situational irony?

Situational irony is when we expect 1 thing, merely get the opposite.

Ex. To avoid rain on your wedding day, you cull a desert that hasn't seen rain in 100 years...so it starts raining.

That is situational irony.

A actually great case of situational irony comes inTerminator 2: Judgment 24-hour interval. Sarah Connor is attempting to break out of a mental institution when she encounters the same Terminator that was out to kill her in the starting time movie.

The irony here — this fourth dimension, the Terminator is in that location to protect her.

Types of Irony: Situational irony case

Not just is this a great example of situational irony, information technology's besides a clever and intriguing way to make a sequel. James Cameron knew that he couldn't simply have the same killer robot chasing the same people a second time. That's just one reason whyT2is one of the best sequels ever fabricated.

Here's the scene as it was written in the screenplay. Follow the image link to read the entire scene in StudioBinder.

Read the total scene here

Within this full general definition, there are 4 subtypes of situational irony:

• Cosmic irony
• Poetic irony
• Structural irony
• Historical irony

Each i brings a particular element so understanding which 1 to use and for what purpose is essential. You can find links to each of these in navigation at the bottom of the folio.

Larn more almost situational irony →

Benefits of Using Irony

Why utilise irony?

Irony is born when "what seems to be" is different from "what is." This dissimilarity betwixt expectation and reality is what makes irony such a rich device to use in storytelling.

Irony adds a layer of complexity and richness to the conflict. Now in that location is depth to your story that might not have been in that location earlier.

Writers employ disharmonize to tell stories and irony to make ameliorate stories.

UP NEXT

Dive deeper into irony

We've covered the basics on the 3 types of irony but there is and then much more than to learn. If there is a particular form of irony yous want to explore further, just follow the navigation below. Each 1 of these subtypes of irony belongs in every writer's toolkit.

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Source: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/3-different-types-of-irony/

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