Question

Read the poem line and answer the question given below.

Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning. It may also be a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between appearance and reality.

Can this poem be called an ironic poem? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

Yes, this poem is an ironic poem because the word ‘sage’ is used in an ironic sense to refer to a person who is dull witted. It insists on how learned men lack practical sense.
This poem can be called an ironic poem. The character in this poem is a wise man. He has a handsome Pigtail. Naturally it will hang behind the person. In spite of being wise, he decides to change its position. He knows it well. But he tries to change its position. He wants it to hang at his face. How funny idea is! The ways he follows to changes its place are full of irony. He turns him round and round, out and in, he spins all day. It all ends in vain. But he does not want to give up his trying. The poet ends the poem saying. The Pigtail remains faithful to his back. So the poem ends with the irony.