When first reading ‘Oliver Twist’ it is obvious to most attentive readers that Dickens uses irony. What also becomes clear is that he uses irony in a variety of forms. To grasp this variety it is hardly ever sufficient to use the classical definition of irony exclusively according to which “an ironical utterance is traditionally analyzed as literally saying one thing and figuratively meaning the opposite.” In order to give the reader a more detailed idea of what irony is, the main part of this work will be divided into two sub-divisions. The first sub-division tries to give an answer to the question what irony is in general and how it can be sub-classified into more specific types of irony. The second sub-division is supposed to show the reader which of the formerly described types of irony can or cannot be applied to Oliver Twist and why they can be or cannot be applied. This should give the reader a better idea of why an utterance or a situation is perceived as ironic. The aim is not only to make the reader realise irony but also to make him able to say as to why this situation or that utterance can be seen as ironic. The conclusion will then show to what extent the definitions given in the first sub-division of the main part are useful to analyze irony in the novel. It is also supposed to answer the question why Dickens used irony and what he wanted to achieve using it.
The definition of irony and the sub-categorization into the different types of irony, which is the basis of the first sub-division of the main part, was mainly overtaken from The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms . The main advantage of this definition is that it draws clear cut boundaries between the different types of irony and gives clear advice how to differentiate between them. Except for one chapter in the book by Patricia Plummer , there was no literature exclusively dealing with the different forms of irony in Oliver Twist specifically. The problem with Mrs. Plummer’s work is that she exclusively describes the ironic parts of Oliver Twist by means of rhetorical figures. Of course, this is a tenable approach but it did not really serve the purpose of a better understanding of irony in Oliver Twist, which is the aim of this work.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. General definitions of the term irony
- 2.1. Verbal irony
- 2.2. Situational irony
- 2.2.1. Dramatic irony
- 2.2.2. Tragic Irony
- 2.2.3. Socratic irony
- 2.3. Structural irony
- 2.3.1. Cosmic irony
- 2.3.2. Romantic irony
- 3. Verbal irony in Oliver Twist
- 3.1. Situational Irony in Oliver Twist
- 3.1.1. The character of Mr. Bumble as an example of dramatic irony in Oliver Twist
- 3.1.2. The character of Nancy as an example of tragic irony in ‘Oliver Twist’
- 3.2. Non-applicable forms of irony in Oliver Twist
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to analyze the various forms of irony employed by Charles Dickens in his novel, Oliver Twist. It seeks to move beyond simplistic definitions of irony to explore the nuanced ways in which Dickens uses this literary device to achieve specific effects. The analysis will categorize the irony used, demonstrating which types are present and explaining their function within the narrative.
- Different types of irony (verbal, situational, structural)
- The function of irony in Oliver Twist
- Dickens' use of irony to convey meaning and critique society
- Specific examples of irony within the novel
- Comparison of different theoretical approaches to irony
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for the thesis, establishing that Dickens utilizes irony extensively in Oliver Twist, but in diverse forms beyond simple definitions. It outlines the structure of the paper: a section defining irony and its subtypes, followed by an application of those definitions to the novel, and concluding with an assessment of the effectiveness of the chosen framework. The chapter highlights the scarcity of existing literature directly addressing diverse ironic forms in Oliver Twist, specifically criticizing Patricia Plummer's approach as overly reliant on rhetorical figures.
2. General definitions of the term irony: This chapter explores various definitions of irony, distinguishing between verbal and situational irony, and introducing structural irony as a third category. It critically examines simplistic definitions, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding that considers the intent of the ironist and the reader's awareness of the discrepancy between appearance and reality. The chapter emphasizes the importance of differentiating irony from related concepts like deception.
2.1. Verbal irony: This section focuses specifically on verbal irony, also known as rhetorical irony, defining it as a discrepancy between what a speaker says and what they actually mean. An example of a statement made ironically during a rainstorm is used to illustrate the concept. This further clarifies the central concept of irony as a contrast between appearance and reality and the speaker’s intent to have the reader understand the intended meaning.
3. Verbal irony in Oliver Twist: This chapter delves into the application of the previously defined types of irony to Dickens’ Oliver Twist. It promises to analyze specific instances of irony within the novel to illustrate the points previously discussed regarding the subtleties and diverse types of irony found in the work. It paves the way for deeper investigation of situational irony in the following sections.
3.1. Situational Irony in Oliver Twist: This section explores situational irony in Oliver Twist through detailed case studies. It analyzes the characters of Mr. Bumble and Nancy, explaining how their situations and actions exemplify dramatic and tragic irony, respectively. The discussion will likely show how situational irony reveals social critique and foreshadowing within the plot, furthering the work's central arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Irony in Charles Dickens' *Oliver Twist*
What is the main focus of this academic work?
This work analyzes the various forms of irony used by Charles Dickens in his novel, *Oliver Twist*. It goes beyond simple definitions to explore the nuanced ways Dickens uses irony to create specific effects within the narrative. The analysis categorizes the types of irony present and explains their function in the story.
What types of irony are discussed?
The analysis covers verbal irony, situational irony (including dramatic, tragic, and Socratic irony), and structural irony (including cosmic and romantic irony). The work critically examines simplistic definitions of irony to offer a more nuanced understanding of the author's intent and the reader's interpretation.
How is the analysis structured?
The analysis begins by defining different types of irony. It then applies these definitions to specific examples within *Oliver Twist*, focusing on how Dickens uses irony to convey meaning and critique society. The work also compares different theoretical approaches to irony and highlights the scarcity of existing literature directly addressing the diverse ironic forms in *Oliver Twist*. Specific examples from the novel are analyzed, particularly the characters of Mr. Bumble and Nancy.
Which characters are used as examples of irony in *Oliver Twist*?
Mr. Bumble is presented as an example of dramatic irony, while Nancy exemplifies tragic irony. The analysis delves into their situations and actions to demonstrate how they exemplify these specific types of irony and contribute to the novel's overall themes and social commentary.
What is the conclusion of the analysis?
The conclusion assesses the effectiveness of the analytical framework used to examine the irony in *Oliver Twist*. While not explicitly detailed in the provided summary, it is implied that the conclusion will summarize the findings and potentially suggest further research avenues given the apparent gap in existing literature on this specific topic.
What are the key objectives of the study?
The key objectives include identifying and categorizing different types of irony in *Oliver Twist*, analyzing the function of irony within the novel, demonstrating how Dickens uses irony to convey meaning and critique society, providing specific examples of irony, and comparing various theoretical approaches to irony.
What is the scope of the analysis regarding types of irony in *Oliver Twist*?
The analysis covers verbal, situational, and structural irony. However, it also notes that some forms of irony are not applicable to *Oliver Twist*, indicating a selective and nuanced approach to the analysis, rather than a comprehensive attempt to apply every possible form of irony to the text.
How does the study address existing literature on irony in *Oliver Twist*?
The study acknowledges the scarcity of existing literature that directly addresses the diverse ironic forms within *Oliver Twist*. It explicitly critiques a specific approach (Patricia Plummer's) as being overly reliant on rhetorical figures, indicating a critical engagement with pre-existing scholarship on the subject.
- Quote paper
- Simon Philipps (Author), 2005, Irony in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/69084
