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As it is known that a game of irony, after all, cannot be played straightforwardly; there must always be a contrast between what is and what seems
to be. When the author ostensibly speaks in his own person, it can be sure that in some very particular context he is masking himself. For instance, in poetry Unknown
Citizen by W.H. Auden, which represents modern citizen, who, according to the poem, are programmed like machine. Actually, the speaker is masking himself. The
speaker tells many frigid actions of the citizen that actually implied an idea of the author that is actually contrast with the actions of the unknown citizen. The contrast
makes us see that the author doesn’t agree with the like-machine human life be portrayed in the speaker’s word.
Therefore, it can be concluded that dramatic irony can be a tragic irony where the limited understanding of character in a work leads a tragedy. However,
dramatic irony also can be found when an author masking himself to speak the opposite of what he really concerns.
3. Irony of Situation
According to Perrine, irony of situation occurs when there is a discrepancy between the actual circumstances and those that would seem appropriate or
between what one anticipates and what actually comes to pass
76
. It can be said also; Irony of situation or irony of circumstances is a discrepancy between the expected
result and actual results
77
.
76
Ibid, p.117.
77
http:www.tnellen.comcyberenglit_termsirony.html September,2007.
36
O’Connor adds, the irony of circumstances, or situation, with its dramatic nature, seems common to all periods. It is a chief feature in drama, but it is found
also in ballads, lyrics, and certain forms of narrative poetry
78
. When we see that a situation is ironic, it may contain some contrast or
incongruity which evoke wryness
79
. It can be said that situational irony results from recognizing the oddness or unfairness of a given situation. And it could be positive or
negative
80
. Hence, It needs more attention to the ironic twists and a plot of a work. When authors contradict what we expect, they do so for a reason
81
. It is a way the poet state his point of view implicitly. Irony itself is rather a way of thinking about
texts that produces an oblique form of human interaction
82
. It is same with dramatic irony. Irony of situation is also a powerful device for
the poet, for like symbol, dramatic irony and irony of situation enable him to suggest meanings without stating them- to communicate a great deal more than he says
83
. For instance, the situation enables the poet spoke his implicit point of view
which is ironic can be seen in O. Henrys story The Gift of the Magi, in which a young couple is too poor to buy each other Christmas gifts. The man finally pawns his
heirloom pocket watch to buy his wife a set of combs for her long, prized, beautiful
78
Van WM O’ Connor 1948, op.cit. p. 130.
79
X.J. Kennedy 1979, op.cit . p.85.
80
http:www.sarcasmsociety.comironysituational.php August,2007.
81
http:www.waukeganschools.orgWHSCommunicationsdiscussmsgReader75 June,2007.
82
John Evan Seery 1990, op.cit. p. 194.
83
Perrine, Laurence 1969, op.cit . p. 117.
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hair. She, meantime, cuts her hair to sell to a wigmaker for money to buy her husband a watch-chain. The results of the situation here are far different from what
was expected. The husband expects that the comb he bought can be used to more beautify his wife’s long hair. While, the beautiful hair of his wife has been sold to buy
a chain for his sold watch. It seems very ironic because they cannot even use what they have bought for each. However it leads to a happy ending where the lovers are
drown closer together. Thus, it can be inferred that irony of situation occurred when the situation
seems ironic and the results of the situation can be far different from what was expected. The poet often do so for a reason and the reason is to put certain point of
view in such situation implicitly.
4. Cosmic Irony Irony Of Fate
