Which term is defined as saying one thing and meaning another?

Study for the American Literature TISKs Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which term is defined as saying one thing and meaning another?

Explanation:
Irony is the idea that there can be a gap between what is said and what is meant, or between appearance and reality. Saying one thing and meaning another is the classic form of verbal irony, where the speaker’s tone or context signals the opposite of the literal words. This isn’t about a paradox, which is a self-contradictory statement that reveals a deeper truth, nor about foreshadowing, which hints at future events, or diction, which is simply word choice. For example, calling a disastrous day “great” or “wonderful” is verbal irony because the literal words don’t match the real meaning or feeling.

Irony is the idea that there can be a gap between what is said and what is meant, or between appearance and reality. Saying one thing and meaning another is the classic form of verbal irony, where the speaker’s tone or context signals the opposite of the literal words. This isn’t about a paradox, which is a self-contradictory statement that reveals a deeper truth, nor about foreshadowing, which hints at future events, or diction, which is simply word choice. For example, calling a disastrous day “great” or “wonderful” is verbal irony because the literal words don’t match the real meaning or feeling.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy