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Definition of Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the... read full definition
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a character's understanding of a given... read full definition
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a... read full definition
Dramatic Irony
Explanation and Analysis—Meeting “Martians”:
The end of the story flashes the narrative forward in time and introduces readers to two military officers who arrive to Mars from Earth to save the people there. In an example of dramatic irony, the officers believe the settlers from Earth (whose bodies have transformed) to be native Martians. The irony comes across in the following passage:
“The town’s empty, but we found native life in the hills, sir. Dark people. Yellow eyes. Martians. Very friendly. We talked a bit, not much. They learn English fast. I’m sure our relations will be most friendly with them, sir.” […]
“Did they tell you what became of the men and women who built this Earth settlement, Lieutenant?”
“They hadn’t the foggiest notion of what happened to this town or its people.”
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