ABSTRACT
The most convenient, though most conventional, place to begin a classification of irony is the dictionary. The French have tended to neglect Dramatic Irony but have long shown themselves to be aware of the ironic contradictions of life and of the ironical attitudes they generate. Verbal Irony implies an ironist, someone consciously and intentionally employing a technique. Situational Irony does not imply an ironist but merely 'a condition of affairs' or 'outcome of events' which is seen and felt to be ironic. Complexity and subtlety in being ironical do not lend themselves to theoretical distinctions and may be safely handed over to the literary critic. Sarcasm has been called the crudest form of irony. Beyond Covert Irony there is Private Irony, irony which is not intended to be perceived either by the victim or anyone else.
