Chris Essay 9

12/3/09
English
Mr. Salsich

Irony:

In To Kill a Mockingbird, and the World Around Us

(TS) Irony is one of the best tools to use in writing. (CM) Irony, carefully inserted into writing, can be very effective. You may be reading along, when suddenly, you come across irony and you are pleasantly surprised; you suddenly become more interested, and want to keep reading on. (Thesis) This is true in To Kill a Mockingbird as well as my own life. I may just be moving along, when suddenly I come across irony and it brightens my day.

(TS) There are many examples of irony in To Kill a Mockingbird. (SD)One piece of irony found in the book was on page 202 when the mob comes to hurt Tom Robinson; they ask if he’s there. Atticus replies, “He is, and he’s asleep. Don’t wake him up.” After Atticus told them not to wake Tom, they began to whisper. (Dep. Adv. Clause). (CM) This is ironic because if their intention was to harm Tom Robinson, one would think they would keep talking loudly, but instead they obey Atticus. (CM) This is very comical irony, and it shows that maybe the mob of farmers weren’t the smartest people. (SD) Another piece of irony found in To Kill a Mockingbird are the mixed children; the children who have one parent that is black and one that is white. (CM) This is ironic because even if they look white, they are not accepted by whites because they have, “black blood,” and the opposite if they look black. (CM) Even if they look like a certain race, they are associated with the other race and not accepted into society. This is ironic. (SD) One other thing that was ironic was when Scout stopped the mob outside the jailhouse. (CM) This is ironic because Atticus, a big adult, could do nothing to stop the mob, yet a little girl stopped them, and sent them home. (CM) This is also ironic because Atticus would have tried to stop them with force, but Scout stopped them in their tracks, simply with words .(CS) Irony can be a very powerful tool in writing. You may be calmly reading through a book, when suddenly you notice some irony, and it may surprise you, and keep you interested.

(TS) Although irony is abundant in To Kill a Mockingbird, there is also a lot of irony found in life. (SD) One example of irony that I have seen was in an article in a news paper about a fire boat burning and sinking. (CM) One reason why this is ironic is because a fire boat is supposed to put fires out, but instead this one caught on fire and sank. (CM) Also, a fire boat is meant to save people, buildings, or other boats, but in this instance it needed to be saved. (SD) Another piece of irony that I have noticed in my life is that, when watching some movies, you may know things before the character does. (CM) This is ironic because you are just watching, the character is the one “living” the story; yet you know things that are going to happen before the he or she knows. (CM) You may know what will happen to the character in the end, while he or she has no idea what is going to happen. (SD) One very big irony I have come across, and I’m sure everyone else has, is the Titanic. (CM) This is ironic because the Titanic was said to be “unsinkable”, yet it sank in 1912. (Dep. Adv. Clause) (CM) Ironically, such a massive and robust metal ship sank because of a simple block of ice. (CS) Life may present you with many ironic instances, some are subtle, but others are very blatant.

(TS) When you come across irony, it can be a lot of fun. (CM) I may be reading along, or slowly going about my day when suddenly I come across irony. (CM) As I come across this irony, I stop reading or stop what I am doing, and as I think about the irony a smile comes to my face. (CM) This brightens my spirits and urges me to continue reading. That is why irony is so important, and I’m glad Harper Lee used many great examples of it in her book. (CS) Next time you read or go about your day, keep a look out for irony, and if you find it, stop what you’re doing and think about it for a few seconds, and If you’re lucky, a smile may form across your face.