Symbolism and Irony

Name that Irony

Answer the following question based on what type of irony is being used with each paragraph. Remember the lesson!

What type of irony is this?

Mr. Bath is the president of Make-A-Bath Industries, a small company that employs fifteen workers, including Tom Miller, father of six.  Ever since the economy went down the tubes, Make-A-Bath hasn’t been selling bath tubs like they once did, and now Mr. Bath has to fire three workers, one of whom will be Tom Miller.  But Mr. Bath has never fired anyone before, so he has been delaying giving Tom and the other employees the bad news.  But Christmas is approaching.  Tom wants to buy nice gifts for his six children, but he doesn’t have any money.  So Tom charges a whole bunch of nice gifts on his credit card, figuring that he can pay it back with money from his checks that he will be getting from his job all year.  Tom and his family don’t have a lot of extra money to spend, so he likes to get his kids nice Christmas presents.  Tom is looking forward to one of the best Christmases ever.

Multiple Choice

Using the text from the previous slide, what type of irony was used?

• Verbal Irony

• Situational Irony

• Dramatic Irony

What type of irony is this?

When Lawrence saw the posters for the circus hanging on the bulletin board, as he swept up the trimmings at Slim’s Barbershop, he knew he would be taking his little cousins.  They loved animals, and he was looking forward to seeing the smiles on their faces as the circus performers amazed them with their stunts.  But sweeping up hair clippings didn’t pay a whole lot.  Lawrence spent 45 dollars just getting tickets.  But it was worth it to see his cousins’ faces.  The day finally came and everyone was excited as they walked into that big circus tent.  But Lawrence soon realized that he and his cousins would be thirsty and hungry.  As they sat in their seats, the drink vendor walked by selling beverages.  Desperately thirsty, Lawrence asked him how much a lemonade would cost, and the drink vendor said, “Eleven dollars each.”  Lawrence replied, “Oh, that’s it?  Just eleven dollars?  What a great deal for one cup of lemonade.  That’s totally worth it.”  The drink vendor walked away.

Multiple Choice

Using the text from the previous slide, what type of irony was used?

• Verbal Irony

• Situational Irony

• Dramatic Irony

What type of irony is this?

Mr. Reinhart is the building inspector for the entire county.  Anytime a person wants to add a permanent structure to their home or property, such as a deck or balcony, the building plans need to be approved by Mr. Reinhart before construction can begin.  Mr. Reinhart checks to see that each plan is safe before construction begins.  Once building begins, he checks to see that construction is going according to the plan.  In a way, he is responsible for ensuring that every structure in the county is built properly.  One day Mr. Reinhart was having a party at his house.  He and his three guests were barbequing on the porch attached to his house, when the structure suddenly collapsed.  Apparently, termites got into the wood and had been chewing away the support beams for several months. 

Multiple Choice

Using the text from the previous slide, what type of irony was used?

• Verbal Irony

• Situational Irony

• Dramatic Irony