10 February, 2025; 04.47 pm to 04.
53 pm
4. Irony
Certainly! Below are detailed notes summarizing the key points of the passage on irony:
Irony: Definition and Origins
The term "irony" originates from the Greek word eiron, meaning "dissembler."
In Greek comedy, the eiron was a character who feigned ignorance and spoke in
understatement but triumphed over the alazon (a boastful, self-deceiving
braggart).
Modern irony retains the idea of dissembling or hiding the true meaning but is used
for rhetorical or artistic effects rather than deception.
Types of Irony
1. Verbal Irony
A statement where the intended meaning differs from the literal meaning.
Often involves expressing one attitude while implying the opposite.
Example: In The Rape of the Lock (1714), Pope’s Baron sarcastically praises Sir
Plume for speaking well, though he actually ridicules him.
Complex verbal irony can involve subtle shifts in meaning and require intelligence
to interpret.
2. Structural Irony
A structural feature creates a sustained ironic effect throughout a work.
One method is using a naïve hero or narrator, who misinterprets events, while
the reader sees the actual meaning.
Example:
o Swift’s A Modest Proposal (1729) – the narrator proposes eating poor
children, unaware of the moral horror.
o Gulliver’s Travels – Gulliver remains oblivious to the absurdities of his
adventures.
o Vladimir Nabokov’s Pale Fire (1962) – the insane editor Kinbote misreads a
poem’s meaning.
Fallible Narrator: The storyteller is biased or lacks insight, leading to an ironic
contrast between their views and reality.
3. Stable vs. Unstable Irony (Wayne Booth)
Stable irony: The author provides a clear viewpoint, allowing the reader to
understand the irony.
Unstable irony: No single standpoint is secure, as further irony undercuts every
perspective (seen in Waiting for Godot and The Unnamable).
4. Sarcasm vs. Irony
Sarcasm is a crude, taunting form of irony meant to mock.
It derives from the Greek sarkazein, meaning "to tear flesh."
Example: "Oh, you're God's great gift to women, you are!" (Sarcasm exaggerates
for ridicule).
Specific Forms of Irony
1. Socratic Irony
Socrates pretends to be ignorant and asks others to explain ideas, only to expose
their flawed reasoning.
Common in Plato’s dialogues.
2. Dramatic Irony
The audience knows something a character does not, creating irony in their words
or actions.
Tragedy example:
o Oedipus Rex – Oedipus seeks the murderer of the former king, unaware that
he himself is the culprit.
Comedy example:
o Twelfth Night – Malvolio foolishly believes in a fake love letter, unaware of
the prank.
3. Cosmic Irony (Irony of Fate)
Fate or a higher power seems to deliberately mock human hopes.
Example:
o Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Tess loses happiness due to honesty, finds it
through murder, and is then hanged. Hardy describes it as "The President of
the Immortals had ended his sport with Tess."
4. Romantic Irony
The author builds an illusion of reality, then shatters it by reminding the reader of
the artificiality of fiction.
Example:
o Laurence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy – the narrator constantly interrupts and
manipulates the story.
o Byron’s Don Juan – the narrator humorously admits struggles in writing the
story.
A precursor to modern "self-aware" fiction.
Irony in Literary Criticism
New Criticism’s Use of Irony
Some critics (T.S. Eliot, I.A. Richards, Cleanth Brooks) saw irony as a key element of
great literature.
Eliot: "Wit" and irony balance different experiences in a poem.
Richards: Great poetry balances opposing views and emotions.
Cleanth Brooks: Great works incorporate irony to prevent easy skepticism.
Key Works on Irony
Wayne C. Booth – A Rhetoric of Irony (1974)
Søren Kierkegaard – The Concept of Irony (1841)
A.R. Thompson – The Dry Mock: A Study of Irony in Drama (1948)
D.C. Muecke – Irony (1970)
Conclusion
Irony is a complex literary device with many forms and functions.
It can entertain, critique, or highlight deeper truths.
Skilled use of irony requires an intelligent and perceptive audience.
From ancient Greek comedy to modern fiction, irony remains a central tool in
literature and philosophy.
This summary covers all the key concepts from the original passage while organizing them clearly. Let me
know if you need any modifications or explanations!
MCQS on Irony
Sure! Here are 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on Irony as a figure of speech, tailored for the RPSC
exam.
MCQs on Irony
1-10: Basics of Irony
1. Which of the following best defines irony?
a) A statement where words convey their usual meaning
b) A contrast between appearance and reality
c) A direct and straightforward statement
d) A repetition of similar sounds
Answer: b) A contrast between appearance and reality
2. What is the origin of the term “irony”?
a) Latin
b) French
c) Greek
d) German
Answer: c) Greek
3. What is verbal irony?
a) A situation where the opposite of what is expected happens
b) When the audience knows something the character doesn’t
c) When a speaker says something but means the opposite
d) When fate plays a cruel joke on a character
Answer: c) When a speaker says something but means the opposite
4. What is dramatic irony?
a) When a character and the audience know the truth
b) When the audience knows something the character does not
c) When fate intervenes in a story
d) When the words in a speech sound alike
Answer: b) When the audience knows something the character does not
5. What is situational irony?
a) When a character pretends to be something they are not
b) When an event turns out completely opposite to what was expected
c) When a character says something but means the opposite
d) When a narrator is unreliable
Answer: b) When an event turns out completely opposite to what was expected
6. Which of the following is an example of verbal irony?
a) A fire station burning down
b) A pilot with a fear of heights
c) Saying "Oh, great!" when something bad happens
d) A detective searching for the criminal who is actually his partner
Answer: c) Saying "Oh, great!" when something bad happens
7. Which of the following is an example of situational irony?
a) A marriage counselor getting divorced
b) A student failing an exam after studying hard
c) A character warning others about danger but getting caught in it
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
8. Dramatic irony is commonly found in which genre?
a) Biography
b) Tragedy
c) Autobiography
d) Essay writing
Answer: b) Tragedy
9. Which type of irony is used in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex?
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: c) Dramatic irony
10. The line "Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink" from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
is an example of:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Cosmic irony
d) Romantic irony
Answer: a) Situational irony
11-20: Literary Examples of Irony
11. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, when Juliet takes the sleeping potion and Romeo thinks she is
dead, it is an example of:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Sarcasm
Answer: c) Dramatic irony
12. In Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal, the narrator suggests eating poor children to solve hunger
issues. This is an example of:
a) Cosmic irony
b) Structural irony
c) Situational irony
d) Romantic irony
Answer: b) Structural irony
13. In Pride and Prejudice, the opening line "It is a truth universally acknowledged..." is an example of:
a) Situational irony
b) Dramatic irony
c) Verbal irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: c) Verbal irony
14. When a character prays to God for protection but is struck by lightning, it is an example of:
a) Cosmic irony
b) Structural irony
c) Verbal irony
d) Sarcasm
Answer: a) Cosmic irony
15. In Twelfth Night, Malvolio finds a fake love letter and believes Olivia loves him. The audience knows
it’s a trick. This is:
a) Situational irony
b) Dramatic irony
c) Verbal irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: b) Dramatic irony
16. The statement “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength” from Orwell’s 1984 is an
example of:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Structural irony
d) Sarcasm
Answer: b) Verbal irony
17. In Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Hardy describes fate as "The President of the Immortals." This is:
a) Cosmic irony
b) Romantic irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Structural irony
Answer: a) Cosmic irony
18. What type of irony occurs when a king disguises himself as a beggar and is treated poorly by his own
subjects?
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Cosmic irony
d) Dramatic irony
Answer: b) Situational irony
19. In Julius Caesar, Antony repeatedly calls Brutus an "honorable man" while actually meaning the
opposite. This is:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: b) Verbal irony
20. In Don Quixote, the hero believes he is a knight while everyone else sees him as a fool. This is an
example of:
a) Cosmic irony
b) Romantic irony
c) Situational irony
d) Dramatic irony
Answer: b) Romantic irony
Would you like me to continue with more MCQs up to 50? Let me know if you want them categorized
differently or focused on specific aspects!
Here are the remaining 30 MCQs on Irony for your RPSC exam preparation:
21-30: Irony in Daily Life & Popular Culture
21. If a traffic cop gets caught for breaking a traffic rule, this is an example of:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Cosmic irony
d) Structural irony
Answer: b) Situational irony
22. A teacher tells a noisy class, "Please, keep talking! I love the noise." This is an example of:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: b) Verbal irony
23. In horror movies, when the audience knows the killer is in the house but the character does not, it is an
example of:
a) Dramatic irony
b) Situational irony
c) Cosmic irony
d) Verbal irony
Answer: a) Dramatic irony
24. If someone gets injured after saying, "Nothing bad ever happens to me!", it is an example of:
a) Cosmic irony
b) Situational irony
c) Verbal irony
d) Romantic irony
Answer: a) Cosmic irony
25. A social media influencer promotes a healthy lifestyle but is caught eating junk food. This is:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Romantic irony
Answer: b) Situational irony
26. A student who studies all night for an exam but misses it due to oversleeping experiences:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Cosmic irony
d) Structural irony
Answer: b) Situational irony
27. In Harry Potter, when Harry believes Snape is his enemy, but Snape is actually protecting him, it is an
example of:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: c) Dramatic irony
28. A lifeguard drowning in a swimming pool is an example of:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: a) Situational irony
29. A company’s slogan is "We never fail!", but it goes bankrupt. This is:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Cosmic irony
d) Structural irony
Answer: b) Situational irony
30. In The Titanic movie, Jack says, "I am the king of the world!", and later drowns. This is an example
of:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: d) Cosmic irony
31-40: Advanced Literary Irony
31. Romantic irony occurs when:
a) The narrator steps back and makes fun of their own story
b) A character falls in love unexpectedly
c) There is a tragic ending to a love story
d) The hero is blind to their own fate
Answer: a) The narrator steps back and makes fun of their own story
32. In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby believes Daisy loves him, but the reader knows she doesn’t. This is an
example of:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: c) Dramatic irony
33. A character who hates books but is forced to become a librarian experiences:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Structural irony
Answer: a) Situational irony
34. When a character in a story is unaware of their fate but the audience knows, it is called:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: c) Dramatic irony
35. The "Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry is ironic because:
a) The couple sacrifices what they value most, making their gifts useless
b) They receive expensive gifts
c) They refuse to exchange gifts
d) They argue over gifts
Answer: a) The couple sacrifices what they value most, making their gifts useless
36. If an author mocks their own writing style in a novel, it is called:
a) Romantic irony
b) Cosmic irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Verbal irony
Answer: a) Romantic irony
37. What type of irony is "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson famous for?
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Cosmic irony
d) Romantic irony
Answer: a) Situational irony
38. When a character pretends to be weak but is actually strong, it is an example of:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: b) Situational irony
39. In Hamlet, when the ghost tells Hamlet about his murder but others are unaware, it is:
a) Situational irony
b) Dramatic irony
c) Verbal irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: b) Dramatic irony
40. If a novel’s narrator is unreliable and deceives the reader, it is an example of:
a) Structural irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: a) Structural irony
41-50: Mixed Questions on Irony
41. The phrase "Break a leg!" before a performance is:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: a) Verbal irony
42. When a doctor falls ill due to ignoring his own advice, it is:
a) Situational irony
b) Verbal irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: a) Situational irony
43. A superhero hiding his true identity while the audience knows it is an example of:
a) Situational irony
b) Dramatic irony
c) Verbal irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: b) Dramatic irony
44. Irony is most commonly used in:
a) Scientific papers
b) Literature and drama
c) Mathematics
d) Philosophy
Answer: b) Literature and drama
45. In Julius Caesar, Caesar says, "I am as constant as the northern star," but is assassinated. This is an
example of:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: b) Situational irony
46. When a child complains about too much homework but spends hours playing video games, it is:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) Cosmic irony
Answer: b) Situational irony
47. Irony is often used to create:
a) Suspense
b) Humor
c) Criticism
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
48. A man afraid of flying takes a boat and the boat sinks. This is:
a) Situational irony
b) Dramatic irony
c) Verbal irony
d) Romantic irony
Answer: a) Situational irony
49. Irony can be used in:
a) Literature
b) Movies
c) Speeches
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
50. Which of the following is NOT a type of irony?
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Logical irony
d) Dramatic irony
Answer: c) Logical irony
This set should be very helpful for your RPSC exam preparation! Let me know if you need more topics or
explanations.
