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Essay irony and its importance in literature
What is irony in literature pdf
What is irony in literature pdf
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Irony in One's a Heifer by Sinclair Ross
"One's a Heifer"
There are many instances of irony in the short story "One's a Heifer" by Sinclair
Ross. The author leads the traditional reader to believe that Vickers has committed a murder. However, the popular belief based on the instances of irony that Vickers has committed a murder is not necessarily fair grounds for condemning the man.
One ironic part of the story is Vickers hostile behavior at the beginning of the story. Vickers is hostile towards the boy when he trespasses on his property. "He seized Tim's bridle when he reached us, and glared for a minute as if he were going to pull me out of the saddle. "I told you to stay out," he said in a harsh, excited voice" (193). The boy believes that Vickers stole the boy's two calves and has just hidden the calves in the stable. But, because of Vickers hostile excitement at the beginning of the story, the traditional reader believes that Vickers has just committed a murder and was trying to hide the body when the boy showed up. However, Vickers cannot be accused of being a thief or a murderer just because he acts hostile at the beginning of the story. The boy has trespassed on Vickers' property. Vickers has a right to be upset and hostile with the boy. Besides, he has cabin fever. Vickers has been living alone for a while and does not remember how to interact with other people. Therefore, there is not enough evidence to prove that Vickers is a murderer based on his behavior at the beginning of the story.
A second ironic part of the story occurs at the beginning when Vickers is determined to not let the boy into the box-stall for the first time. "He stood in front of the door, crouched down a little, the lantern in front of him like a shield" (194). The boy's point of view of Vickers is that he is hiding the calves in the box-stall. But, the traditional reader believes that Vickers has murdered a girl and has hidden the body in the box-stall. However, Vickers cannot be condemned of murder just because he will not let the boy into the box-stall. Vickers could be overprotective of his property.
The narrator of the story seems to give off a biased opinion of the character and does so by using the literary devices of point of view and irony to contribute to the development of Clarence’s complex nature.
Often, when a story is told, it follows the events of the protagonist. It is told in a way that justifies the reasons and emotions behind the protagonist actions and reactions. While listening to the story being cited, one tends to forget about the other side of the story, about the antagonist motivations, about all the reasons that justify the antagonist actions.
The problem: A disgusting creature by the name of Bob Ewell claimed that a colored man assaulted and raped his 19 year old daughter, bruising and hurting her badly. He demanded justice for this crime, which he pronounced was a hanging. The father of our main character, Atticus, was the defending lawyer in the case. He proved well and thoroughly that the young colored man, Tom, was innocent of the crime. Not only that, but he proved that the perpetrator was none other than the girls father, Bob Ewell. Unfortunately, Tom did not believe that this was enough to r...
Morris opens the film by juxtaposing the narratives by the participants in the interviews in order to show Adams’ innocent and Harris’ guilt. The beginning of the film introduces two people that one was believably wrongly convicted and the other was suspiciously a real murderer. Adams who was criminally convicted is interviewed with a white shirt. He narrates his life all the way from Ohio to end up getting a job in Dallas. By showing Adams on the white shirt, Morris tells us Adams’ innocence and proposes our...
In James Hurst’s short story, “the Scarlet Ibis”, the narrator is guilty of his brother, Doodle’s death. There are many pieces of evidence stacked against him. He never treated his brother right and obviously had something against him from the very start. Doodle had a lot of health problems. His weak heart made it difficult for him to do simple things like walking and standing up. His brother was absolutely mortified at the idea of the embarrassment he would endure if he was known as the kid with a brother who couldn’t walk.
When interpreting characters in novels readers perceive characters by the impressions the author provides to writers. In the novels Within A Budding Grove by Marcel Proust and The Trial by Franz Kafka the characters Albertine and Josef K. can be looked at in many different perspectives. Proust portrays Albertine to be a multifaceted, unpredictable character but when taking a step away from the narrator’s thoughts she can be seem in a completely different light. Kafka’s main character Josef K. can either be seen as an innocent victim or as someone who deserves accusation. Writers who set up a story line that allow readers to take away from it what they wish, such as Proust and Kafka, make for the best writers (in my opinion), providing readers to take away from the novel and characters what they wish. Below I provide an argument based on personal perspective, interpretations, and critical evaluations as to why Albertine can be seen in a different light quite the opposite of the biased assumptions the narrator has provided to readers and an in depth analysis of why Josef K. is an innocent victim of the Court.
This shows that the deceased prisoner is nothing more than a corpse and is one more victim of the British Imperial justice system. This portrays the callous, cruel and unsympathetic nature of capital punishment. The superintendent's isolation and his miserable demeanor serve to highlight Orwell's strong beliefs against capital punishment; he believes it is inhumane and detracts from the human spirit. It enslaves society, forces us to oppress our emotions and sacrifice our ability to forgive which makes the reader sympathies with Orwell's
Atticus stepped out of his comfort zone as soon as he had left the family property, an area of land that was to be inherited by the oldest male member of each generation. He also went to pursue a field that he was not particularly interested in, criminal law. Not only does he fail at his first two cases, but he then proceeds to take a case which he knows that he will lose. During the testimony of Tom Robinson, an African American man who is accused of raping a white woman, the evidence presented by Atticus clearly proves Tom’s innocence but considering the prejudice of the 1930’s towards African Americans, the jury thinks that Tom Robinson should be killed. Even though Atticus Finch lost yet another case this evidence stands to prove that Atticus Finch was willing to defy society and give a doomed man a fair shot at life or death.
In the short story 'The Lottery'; by Shirley Jackson, the author uses irony to expand on a theme of traditions that continue although they are ludicrous and barbaric. 'Like a lamb to slaughter'; comes to mind for both the characters in this story and the reader. The characters are honoring a tradition that is handed down to them from former generations. The reader is led through the seemingly normal and quaint little village, and is taken on a ride of ironic horror as they slowly grasp the eventual fate of one inhabitant of the village.
His father, on trial for intentionally burning a man’s barn, points him out as a witness in the case. When the Justice asks Sartoris to give his name, he replies in a whisper (Faulkner, 9). As this instance conveys, Sartoris’ character derives, first, out of timidity rather than strength.This trend of timidity continues throughout the development of his character by the way he responds to circumstances and his father. He fears his father’s authority and regards others in a shy manner because he lacks self esteem. After the Justice chastises the father in the court session, Sartoris leaves, following behind two grim-faced men, his father and older brother (Faulkner, 15). The previous example gives insight into how Sartoris might feel and what causes him to feel that way because it places him in a position of a child, where little confidence or significance stands recognized as compared to the more apparent confidence of his father and older brother, who are in more prominent positions. Already lacking physical toughness, his lack of confidence sets him up for even more harm; it presents him as an easy target for bullying. The consequences of his father’s actions cause Sartoris to receive verbal and physical abuse from boys stronger than he, adding to his lack of self esteem (Faulkner,
The plot of the story, “Ride the Dark Horse”, was very interesting. In the beginning, the character didn’t think that he should do anything so that he wouldn’t have to “face facts”. However, one day he went on a fishing trip with his father. On the trip he met a boy, Jean Paul, whose father offered him a job picking up logs from a river. As they were collecting the wood, Jean Paul decided to go fishing. Jean Paul then cast his line when it accidentally got caught in a tree. The lure hooked onto his face and sliced at his chest, hurting him severely. The other boy then pulled Jean Paul into his canoe and paddled them all the way to the doctor, despite the boy’s original intention to avoid doing anything. A thought-provoking storyline transpired throughout the text.
These injustices have begun long before Tom’s trial, but it is his trial which epitomizes the problems with our society. The first witness was simply just a misguided fellow named Heck Tate who it seems didn’t have much to offer to the case. Next, Atticus Finch called Bob Ewell to the stand. When I saw Ewell take the stand such a fierce hatred rose within me that I began to shake and tremble. Ewell wrongfully accused Tom of raping his daughter Mayella, however, with the grace of God, Atticus Finch had shown that it was very possible that it was Bob Ewell who because he was a lefty could have beat Mayella. If it were not for great men like Atticus Finch I would have lost all hope for this world. As I watched Mayella take the stand I wondered how such a kind looking person could be someone of such poor character. Her words seemed to paint a picture of a sad life; one where a father neglects her and she has fallen under hard times. Atticus, after pointing out it was probably Bob who beat her, asked Mayella who it really was that beat her. Mayella made it clear it was Tom Robinson, upon which Atticus asked Tom to stand. To the astonishment of the court Tom was handicapped! Tom was then called to the stand where he laid open for all to see the truth, explaining that it was Mayella who came on to him (that treacherous woman!). Soon enough the trial ended and every one awaited the verdict of the jury. The next few hours were the most nerve wracking of my life.
... the Criminal Justice system. The author offers the reader a front row seat to the unfairness and unreliability of the CJ system. Grisham is not a fair writer himself and is biased in his writing throughout the entire novel. It is evident to the reader by the end of the novel that the prosecution in the case went to every extreme possible to put Fritz and Williamson in prison for a crime they did not commit. From the reader’s perspective, we knew from the beginning that Fritz and Williamson, no matter how much negative behavior they engaged in, were not the criminals and that there was a high likelihood of Gore being the offender. Nevertheless, Grisham takes us on a wild, nail-biting edge-of-your-seat ride through the Criminal Justice system in this book that leads us through an unfair trial and a slew of biased opinions, lies and deceptions and unjust procedures.
One example of irony present in the story is at the end of the story on pg.90, when Paul is suffering and is in his last phase before death. Paul says to his mother “I never told you, mother, that if I can ride my horse, and get there, then I’m absolutely sure-oh, absolutely! Mother, did I ever tell you? I am lucky.” And his mother replies “No, you never did.” This is ironic because Paul had mentioned to his mother that he was lucky on more than one occasion and it goes to show that his mother did not show affection for her son and listen to the things he had to say. Paul mentioned being lucky to his mother on pg.78 stating “I’m...
of how he assaulted a young a boy and enjoyed it makes the reader take