What is philosophical irony?

Socratic irony is when you pretend to be ignorant to expose the ignorance or inconsistency of someone else. Socrates was a famous Greek philosopher known for his probing questions. Irony is when a statement means the opposite of its literal meaning.

What is an example of cosmic irony?

One of the classic examples of cosmic irony is in Thomas Hardy’s 1891 Tess of the d’Urbevilles. Despite being innocent, the main character loses everything, including her life, in tragic circumstances beyond her control.

Why do people find it hard to define irony?

It’s a literary device that highlights the incongruity (a fancy word for ‘difference’) between one’s expectation for a situation, and the reality. Part of the reason people find it hard to give a definition of irony is because of Alanis Morissette’s 1995 hit song ‘ Ironic ‘.

What are the different types of irony in literature?

Irony is a storytelling tool used to create contrast between how things seem and how they really are beneath the surface. The term “ironic” comes from the Latin word ironia, which means “feigned ignorance.” The three main types of irony used in literature are dramatic, situational, and verbal.

What is the difference between irony and situational irony?

In simple words, it is a difference between appearance and reality. On the grounds of the above definition, we distinguish two basic types of irony: (1) verbal irony, and (2) situational irony. Verbal irony involves what one does not mean. For example, when in response to a foolish idea, we say, “What a great idea!” This is verbal irony.

What is the meaning of the term Soucouyant?

Soucouyant (n): A person, usually an old woman, who sheds her skin, travels as a ball of fire and sucks people’s blood, leaving a blue mark. Soucouyants have an unnatural and indelicate propensity for casting off their skin.