Literary+Terms

= IRONY: = = When there is a discrepancy between what is and what should be, = = or when someone lacks understanding of a situation =



A. SITUATIONAL IRONY - When something happens that we do not expect, or when we discover that the reality of a situation is vastly different --or even the opposite of-- what it should be
Examples:

1. Parents who over-indulge their children in order to protect them from pain while growing up often cripple their children, as they grow into adulthood incapable of solving problems or dealing with adversity.

2. Children who participate in organized sports starting at a very young age often burn out when they enter high school, losing out on opportunities for college scholarships... or they suffer repetitive sports injuries that sideline them.

3. Teens often listen to music on their ipods very loudly in order to feel they have control over their lives -- but audiologists predict an entire generation of people may be deaf by age 40 because of this.



or by willfully ignoring the situation
Examples:

1. A mother tried very hard to protect her daughter's innocence and free time by finding a school that did not give homework until 4th grade; but her daughter at age 5 actually asked for homework after school one day because all her friends had it.

2. Parents sometimes say they allow their teens to have drinking parties in their home, where they are in a "safe environment." However, often the teens leave the party to drive home and get into accidents.

3. Teens reveal many details about themselves online, believing that only their friends will read what they post... which is of course naive. Time and again they are surprised when school authorities or potential bosses find the photos or information.