The portrayal of irony is shown in two literary texts, a short story titled “Jacob's Chicken," by Milos Macourek and a poem titled “Porphyria’s Lover," by Robert Browning. Irony is an expression that is used to insinuate sarcasm; it typically signifies the opposite of what is said. In other words, irony is seen as appearance versus reality. The short story “Jacob’s Chicken” is about a passionate child who draws a unique chicken that others do not initially appreciate due to its unusual appearance. Specifically, Jacob’s teacher lacks appreciation for Jacob’s creation. Towards the end of “Jacob’s Chicken”, the drawing attracts the recognition of a zoo and people are amazed by the uniqueness of the chicken. Porphyria’s lover is deranged and ultimately
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“I am quite sure she felt no pain” (line 41). This is an example of dramatic irony used in Browning’s poem, because the reader knows that this death would have been painful. The narrator believes this statement and relies on the thought that she felt no pain, indicating that he must be delusional. There is irony in the way he says this, since Porphyria does not say anything throughout the poem. Also, when the narrator says Porphyria has her “utmost will” (line 53), it shows that she will be with him forever now that she’s dead. However, this is ironic because she is dead and cannot have her own will. He is reassuring himself that he is doing what Porphyria wants, but in reality, he is behaving selfishly to satisfy his own desire. Irony is utilized to show that the audience knows Porphyria's will, at first, was to lure her lover and obtain his love. Porphyria was unaware her life was going to end by this meeting. In Macourek’s poem, the teacher states, “ I’ve had enough aggravation, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, for something like that would make anybody’s blood boil” (Macourek 2). At the end of the short story, Laura tells the teacher that the chicken is Jacob’s. The teacher then gets mad at Jacob for not paying attention, but it's actually her just realizing than that she made a mistake with her initial reaction to the
“I am quite sure she felt no pain” (line 41). This is an example of dramatic irony used in Browning’s poem, because the reader knows that this death would have been painful. The narrator believes this statement and relies on the thought that she felt no pain, indicating that he must be delusional. There is irony in the way he says this, since Porphyria does not say anything throughout the poem. Also, when the narrator says Porphyria has her “utmost will” (line 53), it shows that she will be with him forever now that she’s dead. However, this is ironic because she is dead and cannot have her own will. He is reassuring himself that he is doing what Porphyria wants, but in reality, he is behaving selfishly to satisfy his own desire. Irony is utilized to show that the audience knows Porphyria's will, at first, was to lure her lover and obtain his love. Porphyria was unaware her life was going to end by this meeting. In Macourek’s poem, the teacher states, “ I’ve had enough aggravation, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, for something like that would make anybody’s blood boil” (Macourek 2). At the end of the short story, Laura tells the teacher that the chicken is Jacob’s. The teacher then gets mad at Jacob for not paying attention, but it's actually her just realizing than that she made a mistake with her initial reaction to the