Previous
Anthropomorphism
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
First Iteration: New York
Explanation and Analysis—Human Error:
In First Iteration: New York, Dr. Richard Stone sends Dr. Marty Guitierrez a memo stating that the basilisk sample has tested negative for any communicable diseases. Dramatic irony leads Guitierrez to draw false conclusions from the report, a fallacy that draws the reader's attention to the shortcomings of science and medicine:
Guitierrez made two assumptions based on the memo. First, that his identification of the lizard as a basilisk had been confirmed by scientists at Columbia University. And second, that the absence of communicable disease meant the recent episodes of sporadic lizard bites implied no serious health hazards for Costa Rica. On the contrary, he felt his original views were correct: that a lizard species had been driven from the forest into a new habitat, and was coming into contact with village people. Guitierrez was certain that in a few more weeks the lizards would settle down and the biting episodes would end.
Related Themes:
Fourth Iteration: Bungalow
Explanation and Analysis—Complacent Leaders:
In Fourth Iteration: Bungalow, Wu and Hammond speak privately. Multiple threads of dramatic and situational irony come together in this scene:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Wu could hear the static crackle on the telephone line. Hammond shrugged, and set the receiver back in its cradle. “Lines must be down,” he said. “Or maybe Nedry’s still doing data transmission. He has quite a few bugs to fix this weekend. Nedry’s a genius in his way, but we had to press him quite hard, toward the end, to make sure he got things right.”
Related Themes:
