Irony Definition: 1.an important linguistic phenomenon in our daily life or literary works. 2. saying sth but mean the opposite 3. is a figure of speech, in order to bring emphasis to a particular truth with deliberately use of language that is contrary to the truth. Origin: from Greek word “ eironeia” , means “dissimulation(修饰）” Types: 1. verbal irony--refers to the speaker’s expression and intention comes apart: when a speaker says one thing but actually means annother, or when a literal meaning is contrary to its intended effect. “great game, Tom.” --when Tom fumbled three times. 又如英国的 Gotham 是有名的愚人村 , 却故意说 : They are almost as wise as the wise men of Gotham . 他们 几乎和愚人村里的愚人一样聪明 2. Situational irony--refers to one’s intention and the action’s result comes apart: the result of an action is contrary to the expected effect. Situational irony results from recognizing the oddness of a given situation, which can be positive or negative. Situational irony can be also called Circumstantial Irony or Irony of Fate. 再例如凯特·肖 邦 (Kate Chopin) 的短篇小说 《一小时的故事》 ( The Story of an Hour) 中 , 路易丝·马拉德 (Louise Mallard) 太太得知丈夫因车祸去世的消息时表面上一阵号 啕大哭 , 内 心里却暗自 高兴 , 她早就盼望这一天的到来 , 不禁低声对自 己说 : “ Free ! Body and soul free !” 但正当她暗自 得意时 , 丈夫突然出 现在门口 ! 原来他大难不死 , 安然回家 , 而 Mallard 太太却由于这突如其来的刺激而心脏病发作 , 不治身亡 。 3. Dramatic Irony is common in novels and plays. In the novel the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the character. “ I hope Tom' s better offwhere he is , ” said Sid ...
