Question

identifying irony
directions: read the following examples of irony. determine which of the three types of irony are being used and then explain your answer.
dramatic irony - this occurs when the reader or audience understands more about the events of a story than a character.
situational irony - this occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.
verbal irony - a character says one thing but really means the opposite.

1. a mean old man ate a large meal at a restaurant. the waitress tried to provide him with excellent service, but every time she brought him a dish, he complained. first he thought that the soup was too cold when it was hot. then he said that his steak was dry and chewy, when it was moist and succulent. then he complained that one of her blonde hairs was in his mashed potatoes, but the hair was actually grey like his own. she remained patient and continued to try to help him until the end of the meal, when he left her a quarter for a tip. she replied on his way out, “thank you for the generous tip, mister.”

which type of irony is used?
explain your answer:

1. tom has always liked lucy, but lucy has always thought tom was annoying and unattractive. one day, lucy comes home to find an eviction notice on her door. apparently, her roommate had been spending the rent money that lucy was giving her on other things. lucy only has 24 hours to get all her stuff over to her mom’s house, and lucy doesn’t even have a car. but tom has a truck. so lucy calls up tom and asks him how he’s doing. she tells him that she’s always thought he was funny, and that they should hang out sometime. tom thinks that lucy has finally come around is beginning to like him. he also thinks that his jokes are funny because she is laughing after everything that he says.

which type of irony is used?
explain your answer:

1. tim kylie is one of the worlds top chefs. he is best known for his signature dish, triple - dipped steak. this masterpiece contains over a pound of beef braised in duck fat. another of chef kylies celebrated dishes is the hamslaughter supreme. this dish features ham stuffed sausage links pressed in a basket made of braided bacon. while carnivores around the world roar for chef kylies creations, chef kylie would never dream of dining with them. as a longtime vegan, chef kylie would never dream of devouring one of his own dishes.

which type of irony is used?
explain your answer:

Explanation:

The waitress says "Thank you for the generous tip, Mister." when the tip of a quarter is actually not generous. She means the opposite of what she says.

1. Dramatic irony

The reader knows that Lucy only called Tom because she needed his truck to move her stuff due to the eviction, but Tom thinks Lucy has started to like him. The reader has more information than Tom.

1. Situational irony

A vegan chef being famous for meat - heavy dishes is the opposite of what is expected. What actually is (a vegan chef with meat - centered signature dishes) is contrary to what one would expect.

For the first example, the key is the contrast between the word "generous" used by the waitress and the small amount of the tip. In the second, the reader's knowledge about Lucy's true motives contrasts with Tom's belief. In the third, the situation of a vegan chef being well - known for meat dishes goes against typical expectations.

Answer:

1. Verbal irony