Irony+_+Paradox


 * Irony / Paradox**

Dramatic irony is when the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the characters. This is the result of the reader having a greater knowledge than the characters themselves.
 * Definitions:**

Paradox - a statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true.

How is this used as a dramatic technique?

In this wiki I will be talking to you about the art of using irony/paradox as a dramatic technique and a magnificent example of doing this is John Misto’s play “The Shoe-Horn Sonata”. Misto uses this dramatic technique to create a distinctly credible representation of what is occurring in the play inside your head. A paradox is a statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true but in this story Misto uses paradox’s to add connotation to the severity of the women’s situation in the POW camp and is normally used in an unusually blissful situation for the prisoners. Dramatic irony is when the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the characters but in this play Misto uses the irony to protect Bridie and Shelia from some of their war time reminiscences and help to keep their darkest secrets their own and go along with the better recollections they give. By using these techniques Misto was able to entice the reader further into the story while at the same time still giving you a more profound discernment of the text.

Examples: **1.** Scene 7 Act 1 paradox; to live in a POW camp and that the Japanese are Non-Christ therefore they don’t embrace Christmas.

“O, come all ye faithful.” This song is chosen to create a paradox between the poverty and deprivation of life in the POW camps and the joy and abundant nature of normal life. It produces an authentic image in your mind of a assemblage of jubilant prisoners all rejoicing over copious memories of celebratory cuisine at Christmas. Misto creates these images by not only giving you a portrayal of their recollections but also giving you a depiction of the deprived POW camp.

** 2. ** Scene 10 Act 2 paradox; “No cross, no crown!” Without burdens or sacrifice, no reward in the end (British Symbolism).

“No cross, no crown!” This statement is chosen to create a paradox between the British pull up your socks and get on with it attitude and the Australian laid back relaxed way of life. It generates a realistic image in your mind of a strong British woman that just gets on with her work no matter what happens. Misto creates this paradox by giving us a phrase that has a different meaning to us than the characters. To us it means without burdens or sacrifice there is no reward in the end but to the characters themselves it could mean anything from a phrase there mother always repeated to a way of life summed up by one phrase. Although the flippant nature in which it is just thrown into a general conversation it is more likely to mean how she thinks about her mum as an extremely strong that no matter what will never change.

** 3. ** Scene 9 Act 2 Irony; “Keep Smiling” said by the Australian Prime Minister Mr Curtain to the prisoners of the POW camps in the war. “Australian womens. Your emperor, Mr Curtain, sends his greetings. And Orders you all to keep smiling.” Prime Minister says to keep smiling when they are almost on their death bed in the POW camps. Then the happy joyful song comes on “When your smiling.” This makes the reader have an image of an ignorant man who is in charge back in Australia with no idea of what they are going through.