Best of Week: Irony

This week we took the Heart of Darkness test, and one of the major themes/questions was irony. There are 3 types of irony: verbal, dramatic, and situational. Through much discussion in English class we came across the idea that an author intentionally creates irony to make his literature deft and complex. Verbal irony is when you say something and mean the other, dramatic irony is when the readers see something that the characters can't, and situational irony is when something unexpected happens.

But the thing that struck me the most was not just irony; it was the fact that we use so much irony in our everyday lives which we tend to overlook. I used to be blind to the irony present in our everyday lives. After having discussions about irony, I started listening closer to my usual conversations.

Sarcasm, one of my favorite things to evoke laughter, is no other than a pseudonym for verbal irony. Someone may ask an obvious question, and often it seems natural to respond with a sarcastic comment. After the other person realizes the sarcasm, they realize that their question was blatantly obvious, and then they look back at you and realize your wittiness, and realize their own foolishness. Point and case, this is also how authors build character in their stories.

Another good example is in modern television, when an idiotic character (e.g. Dwight from the office) is unaware of the actual situation he has put himself in, while the audience members are fully aware of it. The character may do something he thinks is beneficial, when everyone else knows he is just doing something stupid. This dramatic irony shows the producer's brilliance.

Overall, throughout the many pieces of literature we have read, especially Heart of Darkness, I came to recognize that irony is often an author's best tool.

What If?: America No Longer a Superpower

During this week we have repetitively discussed America's limited status as a world superpower. I kind of realized this from all the buzz going around about the recession. From watching Obama's State of the Union and its controversial Republican response, I realized that America is no longer on a steady path. The fate of our country lies in the hands of the newest generation. But I keep thinking: what if we can't turn it around?

Ironically, if I had to rate the impact of recession on my lifestyle from a 1 to 10, 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, I would give it a 2. It made me understand that I have a lot to be thankful for. But simply saying my thanks is not enough. Maybe I have nothing to worry about my future; maybe I do. Either or, I should have my best interests in the greater community. The same goes for the rest of the new generation. It's scary to think about making the world better for my children, when I was just once a child. But it's imperative. It's nerve-racking to imagine children 6 years younger than me 6,000 miles away on the other half of the globe are surpassing me in knowledge. But we can't just accept defeat. We have to compete back.

What if China does really become the next superpower? What will the implications be? Will we become "Easternized"? Will China become the next world model, the country that has the best education, the best healthcare, the country that people turn to for help? It's a scary thought. We keep trying to prevent this shift of power, but do we need a backup plan in case America collapses? I guess it's for us to decide.