The Compass of Irony

Description

First published in 1969, The Compass of Irony is a detailed study of the nature, qualities, classifications, and significance of irony. Divided into two parts, the book offers first a general account of the formal qualities of irony and a classification of the more familiar kinds. It then explores newer forms of irony, its functions, topics, and cultural significance. A wide variety of examples are drawn from a range of different authors, such as Musil, Diderot, Schlegel, and Thomas Mann. The final chapter considers the detachment and seeming superiority of the ironist and discusses what this means for the morality of irony. The Compass of Irony will appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of irony as both a literary and a cultural phenomenon. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Original Copyright Page Contents Preface Acknowledgements PART ONE I IRONOLOGY II THE ELEMENTS OF IRONY 1 Defining Irony 2 The Duality of Irony 3 The Element of 'Innocence' 4 Victims of Irony III BASIC CLASSIFICATIONS 1 Classifying Irony 2 'He is being ironical.' 'It is ironic that . . .' 3 Three Grades of Irony: Overt, Covert, Private Irony 4 The Four Modes of Irony IV THE FOUR MODES 1 Impersonal Irony 2 Self-disparaging Irony 3 Ingénu Irony 4 Dramatized Irony V IRONIC SITUATIONS 1 Irony of Simple Incongruity 2 Irony of Events 3 Dramatic Irony 4 Irony of Self-betrayal 5 Irony of Dilemma PART TWO VI GENERAL IRONY 1 Introduction to General Irony 2 General Irony of Events, of Vanity or Human Wishes 3 General Dramatic Irony 4 Cosmic Irony 5 Ironies of Inevitable Ignorance VII ROMANTIC IRONY 1 The Ironies of Art 2 Proto-Romantic Irony 3 Romantic Irony VIII IRONY AND THE IRONIST 1 The Ironist's Stance 2 The Morals of Irony References A Selected Bibliography Index