54
The band’s awareness of this issue is conveyed to the listeners with several kinds of irony.
The following table decribes several kinds of irony found in Sad State of Affairs:
TABLE III Kinds of Irony Contained in Sad State of Affairs
No. Data
F. i
n e
G. inds
of Irony
Notes
1. Its such a
sad state of affairs and I
dont care
A sad state of affairs
1
2 Dramatic
Irony Obviously, dramatic irony found here
since what the speaker says and what the author means
have contrast. The
speaker’s word, which is straightforward and frigid, uttered the sentence I don’t
care repeatedly. It means the author has a certain implied meaning besides the
surface meaning. Further, the phrase sad state of affairs, which is also uttered
repeatedly, means pathetic national problems. It indicates the author actually
has a great awareness of the affairs.
Its such a sad state of
affairs, I dont care
3
2. And
each little insect
doesnt get me angry
6 Dramatic
Irony The concept of dramatic irony appeared
in the previous lines is a consideration that the same case is also found here
which what the speaker says and what the author means is having incongruity.
The little insect actually contrasts with the idea of the author. State of affairs as the
55
title of this lyrics is the indication that it isn’t little stuff. In the contrary, it is
something that needs more attention.
3. A sad state
of affairs This place
could use a little repair,
I dont care
10 Dramatic
Irony Dramatic irony appears again in this line
since still what the speaker says contrast with what the author means. I don’t care
of the phrase sad state of affairs implied the opposed idea with the author. And
Little repair here means a change to make a better place. So, actually what the
author means is that he cares much of nation problems and hope to make
change toward a better future.
4. I sit on the
sofa with my mind all numb
12
Dramatic Irony
The concept of dramatic irony again found in this line which is what the
speaker says contrast with what the author means. The indications of the
incongruity are located on the word murder and the phrase doesn’t get me
angry.
Commonly, someone
heard murder would get anxious and angry to
that illegal action. However, it is different here; the speaker said that he is not
angry of the murder. Such condition where a person doesn’t care of the issue
of murder emphasized by the author conveyed the opposite idea of what the
speaker says, that is he was aware of the issue and anxious to see the person who
was not. And
each little
murderer doesnt get
me angry 13
5. And each
little question
doesnt get me thinking
21 The last, the most important dramatic
irony found here where what the speaker uttered that each little question doesnt
get him thinking contrasts with what the author means. The contrast is recognized
by the title of the lyrics that is sad state of affairs,
which means the
nations problem, and the previous concept of
56
And the lies of my life still
buzz around my brain...
23 Dramatic
Irony dramatic irony found in the previous lines.
Thus, the lyric implies the author wouldn’t let any lies around his life and will find
truth than sit on the sofa with half conscious and let lies around and ignore
every little question that will reveal the truth just like the person portrayed in this
lyric.
Hence, it can be inferred from Sad State of Affairs, there are five dramatic irony found.
A. The Way Irony Found in The Three Analyzed Lyrics Provoke Youths Not to
