16. Irony

Irony is an implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant.

The device is based on the interaction of two logical meanings: dictionary and contextual.

Modern theories of rhetoric distinguish between three types of irony: verbal, dramatic and situational.

Verbal irony is a disparity of expression and intention: when a speaker says one thing but means another, or when a literal meaning is contrary to its intended effect.

Dramatic irony is a disparity of expression and awareness: when words and actions possess a significance that the listener or audience understands, but the speaker or character does not.

Situational irony is the disparity of intention and result: when the result of an action is contrary to the desired or expected effect.

Irony can be understood in two senses: broad and narrow.

In a narrow sense irony is the use of a word having positive connotative meaning to express a negative evaluation of something.

In a broad sense an utterance is considered ironical if testifying to a positive or neutral attitude of the speaker towards some fact it implies his negative evaluation of it.

Some words and phrases have a definite ironical connotative meaning, which they preserve in all contexts.

Irony narrow sense: “A fine friend you are, Martin!” he muttered to himself. broad sense: He smiled the sweet smile of an alligator. ironic words: to orate, to oratories, to speechify, speechmaker, head cook and bottle-washer, a young hopeful

17. Paradox

It is a seemingly absurd, though in fact well-founded statement. It is based on contrast. The effect of paradox lies in the fact that no matter how contradictory it may seem it contains a certain grain of truth, which makes it an excellent vehicle of satire.

Paradox Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about. (Oscar Wild) Wine costs money, blood costs nothing. (Bernard Show)

Questions to lecture #3

1. What are lexical stylistic devices based on?

2. What is simile? Give your examples.

3. What is the difference between a simile and an ordinary comparison?

4. What is metaphor? Give your examples.

5. What is a trite metaphor? Give your examples.

6. What is a sustained metaphor?

7. What is personification? Give your examples.

8. What is allusion? Give your examples.

9. What is metonymy? Give your examples.

10. What kind of metonymic relations do you know?

11. What is synecdoche? Give your examples.

12. What is metonymic antonomasia? Give your examples.

13. What is metaphoric antonomasia? Give your examples.

14. What is periphrasis? Give your examples.

15. What is euphemism? Give your examples.

16. What is epithet? Give your examples.

17. What is hyperbole? Give your examples.

18. What is meiosis? Give your examples.

19. What is litotes? Give your examples.

20. What is oxymoron? Give your examples.

21. What is zeugma? Give your examples.

22. What is pun? Give your examples.

23. What is irony? Give your examples.

24. What is paradox? Give your examples.

25. Do the tasks in Supplements 2 and 3. Get ready for a test.

Lecture #4