What is irony in literature?

Irony in literature refers to a situation where there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs. This can manifest in various forms, such as verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony. For instance, in situational irony, a character might plan for a certain outcome only for something completely different—and often opposite—to happen, which can create humor or poignancy within the narrative. The power of irony lies in its ability to surprise the audience, provoke thought, and add depth to the storytelling by revealing the complexities and contradictions of life.

The other options do not fully encapsulate what irony entails. A direct statement of truth does not allow for the complexity that irony introduces. While irony can be a form of figurative language, it specifically highlights the contrast between expectation and reality rather than encompassing all aspects of figurative language. Lastly, while a consistent theme may be present in a literary work, it does not define irony, which is centered on the contrast between anticipated outcomes and actual events.