What is Irony? Examples in The Great Gatsby

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🎭 Definition of Irony: Irony is a literary device where words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It can also be a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated.
• 📖 Dramatic Irony: 💡 Occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not. This creates suspense and anticipation.
• 🗣️ Verbal Irony: 💬 A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant (sarcasm is a form of verbal irony).
• 😔 Situational Irony: 🔄 Involves a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.
• 🎩 Irony in *The Great Gatsby*: Fitzgerald uses irony extensively to highlight the themes of wealth, class, and the American Dream. Characters often say or do things that contradict their true feelings or intentions, revealing the hypocrisy and disillusionment of the Jazz Age.

🤔 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is the best definition of dramatic irony?
   1. A contrast between what is said and what is actually meant.
   2. When the audience knows something a character does not.
   3. A situation that turns out to be the opposite of what is expected.
   4. A humorous situation.
2. In *The Great Gatsby*, Gatsby's lavish parties are thrown in hopes of attracting Daisy. This is an example of:
   1. Verbal irony
   2. Situational irony
   3. Dramatic irony
   4. Cosmic irony
3. When Nick says he is one of the few honest people he has ever known, this could be an example of:
   1. Dramatic irony
   2. Situational irony
   3. Verbal irony
   4. Cosmic irony
4. The fact that Gatsby amasses his fortune through illegal activities while trying to win back Daisy, who represents old money and high society, is an example of:
   1. Dramatic irony
   2. Situational irony
   3. Verbal irony
   4. Cosmic irony
5. What type of irony is present when the reader knows Myrtle is having an affair, but George Wilson does not?
   1. Verbal irony
   2. Dramatic irony
   3. Situational irony
   4. Cosmic irony
6. Which of the following best describes situational irony?
   1. A character says the opposite of what they mean.
   2. The audience knows something the characters don't.
   3. An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience.
   4. A statement that exaggerates for effect.
7. The constant references to Gatsby's wealth and success, while he is deeply unhappy, is an example of:
   1. Dramatic irony
   2. Situational irony
   3. Verbal irony
   4. Cosmic irony