Irony, Types of Irony & Irony in the Pride and Prejudice

 Irony, Types of Irony & Irony in the ‘Pride and Prejudice’

Irony

The irony is one of the figures of speech. It occurs when reality diverges from our expectations. The crucial word here is "opposite," not merely "different." This discrepancy can be seen in situations or language ‘what we say versus what we mean’, ‘what we expect to happen vs. what actually happens’.

Types of Ironies

There are some common forms of irony:

ü Dramatic Irony

ü Verbal Irony

ü Situational Irony

 

Ø Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when we are more familiar with the circumstances than the characters are. For instance, you might spot someone walking into a trap that has been set up in the play or book you are reading. Dramatic irony is present here. Also, we can call this theatrical sarcasm/irony.

Ø Verbal Irony

When someone else says something but it actually means the opposite, that is verbal irony. When you receive an "F" on a paper, for instance, you can exclaim, "Wow, I did a pretty good job on my paper!" This is irony in language. This type of irony is also called Language irony/sarcasm.

Ø Situational Irony

Situational irony is when we expect one thing but receive the opposite. When you purchase a can of Sting only to discover that it contains juice, for instance, this is situational irony. It is also known as contextual irony/sarcasm.

Ironies in the novel Pride and Prejudice

The irony is what separates appearance from reality. Jane Austen's writings are infused with irony, and Austen's use of irony is a major source of her wit. In "Pride and Prejudice," we encounter three types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic.

The use of verbal irony is a good example of Austen's use of wit. Sarcasm is the most popular definition of verbal irony (mockery, cynicism). It occurs when a character or the narrator says something, but the meaning is completely different. The first line of the work, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife”. (p. 1)

A situational ironic event is one in which the exact opposite of what happens is anticipated. During the party, when Bingley asks Darcy to dance with Elizabeth, he politely rejects, saying, "She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me…” (p. 8). But soon after, he is attracted by her alluring eyes and wants to dance with her at the next party. Furthermore, Elizabeth admits to Mr Collins that she is not the kind to turn down the first offer and accept the second, yet she does so when Darcy makes a second proposal. Additionally, Darcy proposes to Elizabeth when she despises him the most, while Collins proposes to her when her heart is full of Wickham.

When something that the characters are unaware of is made known to the reader, dramatic irony occurs. Additionally known as character irony. It stands out considerably more than the irony of the circumstance. For instance, it is ironic that Elizabeth, who takes pride in her perception and mocks Jane for being oblivious to reality, is herself prejudiced and therefore blind. Furthermore, despite their hatred for the Bennets' vulgarity, Bingley's sisters exhibit vulgar behaviour too. Such individuals were depicted by Jane Austen for the readers' enjoyment and moral upbringing. 

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