When writing, writers use many different tools. Irony can be used as an example. Irony is a technique used by authors to create ambiguity in their writing. Irony is used when a writer wants to convey a different meaning than what they intend. Irony can be seen in poems such as “The Unknown Citizen”, “Rite of Passage”, and “Bully”, written by Martin Espada, or by W.H Auden.
Auden uses irony in “The Unknown Citizen”. In the poem, Auden describes an ordinary citizen. The person in question has done nothing wrong and is described as “a saint, in the modern meaning of the old-fashioned term”. Irony is evident in the fact that Auden wrote a poem praising mediocrity. Auden also uses irony to make a point in his poem when he asks, “Was the man free?” Was he content? Auden’s quote says that this man could not be wrong. His words take on a new meaning because he uses irony. Auden means that even if he lived an ordinary life, he wasn’t happy.
The irony in Sharon Olds’ “Rite of Passage”, is not to be overlooked. This poem, which is about a child at a birthday party, has a deeper message. Olds is using irony in her description of a party scene. She describes a group of children as “a small bankers” who are flinching and folding their arms. Olds also uses irony in the poem when she writes, “like generals, they relax, and play war to celebrate my son’s birthday.” She does this because WWII was still happening at the time this poem was written. This example is ironic, because it shows children playing war, enjoying themselves, while also celebrating the birthday of her son. A birthday celebrates another year, but the children in this example are playing a death-themed game.
Irony is also evident in the poem “Bully”. Espada describes the school as “Now, the Roosevelt School is pronounced Hernandez”. Espada says that “Roosevelt has been surrounded by every face he’s ever pushed in eugenic spite”, which is an ironic example. It’s ironic, because the school is named after Roosevelt who was a participant in the Spanish American War. But the majority of the students are now spanish-speaking. It shows the kind of people Roosevelt opposed, yet now the children attend the school.
Irony is a common tool used by poets and writers. It’s a way to give words multiple meanings. It is sometimes difficult to recognize at first. Irony can be seen in “The Unknown Citizen”, W. H. Auden’s “Rite of Passage”, Sharon Olds’ “Bully”, and Martin Espada’s “Bully”.
