Saturday, October 13, 2007

Isn't It?

(I believe this ad might be an endorsement for arming the National Organization for Women, in which case, I couldn't agree more...)

i·ro·ny1 /ˈaɪrəni, ˈaɪər-/

Pronunciation Key - [ahy-ruh-nee, ahy-er-]

noun, plural -nies.

1. The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.

2. Literature.

a. A technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.

b. (esp. in contemporary writing) A manner of organizing a work so as to give full expression to contradictory or complementary impulses, attitudes, etc., esp. as a means of indicating detachment from a subject, theme, or emotion.

3. Socratic irony:
n. Profession of ignorance and of willingness to learn as one interrogates another on the meaning of a term.

4. Dramatic irony.
n. The dramatic effect achieved by leading an audience to understand an incongruity between a situation and the accompanying speeches, while the characters in the play remain unaware of the incongruity.

5. An outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected.

6. The incongruity of this.

7. An objectively sardonic style of speech or writing.

8. An objectively or humorously sardonic utterance, disposition, quality, etc.

IRONY: The essential feature of irony is the indirect presentation of a contradiction between an action or expression and the context in which it occurs. In the figure of speech, emphasis is placed on the opposition between the literal and intended meaning of a statement; one thing is said and its opposite implied, as in the comment, “Beautiful weather, isn't it?” made when it is raining or nasty. Ironic literature exploits, in addition to the rhetorical figure, such devices as character development, situation, and plot to stress the paradoxical nature of reality or the contrast between an ideal and actual condition, set of circumstances, etc., frequently in such a way as to stress the absurdity present in the contradiction between substance and form.

(I feel much better now, thanks.)

1 comment:

Beth said...

Holy crap! What have you done?? Moved to TEXAS?