The term irony refers to a discrepancy, or disagreement, of some sort. The
discrepancy can be between what someone says and what he or she really
means. on verbal irony. The discrepancy can be between a situation that one
would logically anticipate or that would seem appropriate and the situation that
actually develops or situational irony. The discrepancy can even be between the
facts known to a character and the facts known to us, the readers or audience or
dramatic irony.
Working in groups of four complete the following table. Find instances of irony from the play
and justify them.
| thought |
emotion |
possession |
perception (often used with can) |
measurement |
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Some verbs, like the ones mentioned above, are not normally used in the continuous (- ing) form. However, we do sometimes use such verbs in the continuous form. Look at the following examples.
1. “I can’t concentrate on my work because I’m thinking about that beautiful scene.”
2. “I think it is beautiful.”
- Which sentence expresses an activity in progress at the moment?
- Which sentence expresses a decided opinion?
Now read this extract from a story and draw arrows (as in the example above) to show how the personal pronouns refer to the different people and things.
Leena was on her annual visit to her uncle's house. She always enjoyed it because she was allowed to spend most of the day down at the mango grove. Leena's uncle was a friend of the man who owned the grove and he always gave a special rate. This year Leena's aunt joined her, and together they set off across the fields to the grove. The branches of the trees were covered with fruits, and so bowed down with the weight that they almost touched the ground. They spent hours picking fruit, eating most of it and sleeping in the shade.
At a party, Gautam met a friend (Ravi) who talked about his experiences in staging a play.
Read the dialogue.
Gautam : It’s quite some time since we met. I guess it’s because you’ve been busy as usual.
Ravi : Yes, I’ve been directing a play – Tagore’s Chandalika. Did you hear about it?
Gautam : Yes, I heard it was a great hit. In fact, I was planning to get in touch with you to ask for your help, to put on a play for our Annual Open Day. How did you go about staging your play?
Ravi : Well …. First, we chose three possible plays, and divided ourselves into reading groups. Then we exchanged views and arrived at a decision.
Gautam : What was your next step?
Ravi : Casting, of course. Once we’d got the script ready, we selected the cast.
Gautam : And then?
Ravi : We held auditions for the main parts and then made a preliminary selection. Eventually we were able to make a final choice and assign the roles.
Gautam : How did you plan your rehearsals?
Ravi : We met for a couple of hours every evening. As the play took shape, we held longer and more intensive rehearsals.
Gautam : Who else was involved in the production?
Ravi : The stage crew and the technicians. But they didn’t come in until we were out of the initial phase.
(The conversation continues.)
Gautam decides to make a written record of how Ravi produced a play in order to try it too.
Write this record, using the passive where appropriate. The first few words have been provided for you.
Three possible plays were selected and Ravi’s friends were divided ………..
________________________________________________
1 Read the conversation between a young boy and his mother. The boy is determined to go to camp, despite his mother's refusal to let him (from George Layfon's short story "The Holiday").
It wasn't fair. Tony and Barry were going. In fact, nearly all of them in Class
Three and Four were going, except me. It wasn't fair. Why wouldn't my mum let
me go?
(a) "I'vetoldyou. Youarenotgoingcamping. You're far too young."
Huh! She said thatlastyear.
"You said that last year."
"You can go next year when you're a bit older."
She said that last year, too.
"You said that last year and all."
"Do you want a clout?"
"Well you did, Mum, didn't you?"
(b) "Go and wash your hands for tea."
(c) "Aw, Mum, everybody else is going to school camp. Why can't I?"
(d) "Because you're going to Bridlington with me and your aunt Doreen, like you do
every year!"
Ohl Every year my mum, me and Aunt Doreen stay at Mrs. Sharkey's boarding
house. I suppose we'll have that same room again.
"Don't be cheeky! Mrs. Sharkey saves the room for me every year. It's the best
room in the house facing the sea."
"Aw, Mum, I never get any sleep - the sea splashing on one side."
My mum gave me a clout right across my head.
"Well, you've done it now. You've dislocated my jaw- owl"
She clouted me again, right in the same place.
"It's not fair. Tony's mum and dad are letting him go to school camp, and
Barry's going too. Why don'tyou let me go?"
She suddenly bent down and put her face right next to mine, right close. She
made me jump.
(e) "Now listen to me, my lad. What Tony's mum and dad do, and what Barry's
mum and dad do, is their look out. You will come with me and your Auntie
Doreen to Bridlington and enjoy yourself, like you do every year!"
1.1 Suppose Tony overheard this conversation, and wrote a letter to Barry.
Write and complete Tony's letter for him.
Dear Barry,
It's just two weeks more for our school camp! I can't wait to have a great time with
our class mates. I was hoping you, George and I get to share a tent together! But I
was at George's place and got to hear what his mother felt about our trip.
To start with his mother said he wasn't going camping. adding that he was far
too young for it. George reminded his Mum that she had said that the previous
year.
She felt that (a)____________________________________________________________________ older. He protested that she had said the previous year, too. To this, she simply ordered (b)_______________________________________________________________________ for tea. He wanted to know why (c) _________________________________________________________ when every body else, was going. She reasoned with him saying (d)_______________ George objected to being disturbed by the splashing sea, waves. But, his mother clouted him twice and in a threatening manner, told him (e)______________________ _________________ so, that's it. Probably, George won't be with us
Affectionately
Tony.
This description is taken from a well-known film. Can you guess which one?
A man in a red cape and blue tights is flying over a city. On his chest is the letter S. Below him a large crowd is pointing up at him.
Imagine a scene from a play, film or TV show you have seen.
Describe (a) where things and people are, and (b) any movement. Follow the example.
Show your description to your partner. Guess each other’s play or film.____________________________________________________________________________________________________