How to Write about Irony in a Literary Essay
People like using irony in the literary works, since it saturates with emotions, feelings and consideration. Irony is used for performing different effects; it can bring positive and witty spirit or teach us a lesson that is perceived better than boring edification. However, being interesting to the readers, irony is quite tricky topic for essay. Sometimes it is hard to get all shadows of the authors’ intentions and moreover to describe it and analyze. Writing about such abstract notions, as irony, is always a challenge, but anyway there are definite rules that will leave no chance for failure within this activity.
Recognizing Irony
Before starting any writing activities you need to read the required literary work. Besides being familiar with its content the important part consists in recognizing irony. It can be a hard task, but to succeed in it you should not concentrate too much. Just read a novel or story, as if you do it for pleasure. Exactly in such way you will be able to get the deeper sense of the author’s thoughts and message.
Defining Type of the Irony
When you have found and understood the intention of the author and have recognized the irony, there follows the next phase – defining the type. To classify the irony, you should be aware of its types and definitions.
Verbal Irony
Verbal Irony can be defined as a figure of speech that is reliant on the situation and the context. You are aware of circumstances and have certain expectations but here follows that you do not expect and should not take literary. Hyperbole (overestimating) and litotes (underestimation) are the types of the verbal irony. Also verbal irony can be represented by sarcasm. Thus, for example tomorrow you have an exam and a lot of material to process and learn and say, “Oh, perfect time for going to the party”.
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic Irony takes place in case the audience or readers realize some background or occurrence of the plot that the character is not aware about. As a rule, this is exactly about what the character should make a decision. Perhaps, one of the best examples of the dramatic Irony is Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. Romeo finds Juliet being under the sleeping drug, but not knowing the situation, kills himself in despair.
Situational Irony
This type of irony is often observed when the text plot turns in an unexpected way. It is a surprise and astonishment for both characters and audience. For instance, the situational irony can be characterized by the circumstances when enemies appear to be relatives or similar sudden occurrence. Situational irony is often called “comic irony” or “irony of fate”.
Evaluating Meaning of the Irony
Your next step includes interpreting and commenting the irony. Besides describing it and categorization, you should evaluate its significance and effect for the work. Define what its action and purpose is, whether the author reinforces the topic, dramatizes the plot or astonishes audience with the surprising events. Considering “Romeo and Juliet” it can be clearly stated that the effect of the dramatic irony is very strong, emotional and tragic. In this literary work the dramatic irony is the very aspect that disturbs people’s hearts for so many centuries and do not leave them indifferent. Try to imagine the composition under your analysis without the irony and write your feelings and impressions about the necessity of irony and smart narrative styles of the author