Examples Of Irony In Charles By Shirley Jackson

Kindergarten is a big change not only for the children but for the parents also. “Charles” by Shirley Jackson discusses how much a child could want attention, but it doesn't always turn out positive, so that leads children to want the wrong attention sometimes. Irony is when something is ironic but there are multiple versions of irony such as dramatic, situational or verbal irony. In this essay I will prove that the irony in this story isn't how it appears.

One clear example of irony occurs when Laurie’s mother attends the PTA Meeting. For example “you must have your hands full in that kindergarten, with Charles.” Then the teacher states “Charles?” “We don't have any Charles in this kindergarten.” (Page 476) This shows that the author creates suspense and makes it ironic when having the teacher state that. The reader now knows that Charles, who was such a horrible kid, was the mother’s son Laurie the whole time. The reality is different from what the reader expected because the reader expected when

For example, “Jannie was being a Charles when she cried all afternoon; Laurie did a Charles when he filled his wagon full of mud and pulled it throught the kitchen; even my husband, when he caught his elbow in the telephone cord and pulled telephone, ash tray, and a bowl of flowers off the table, said, after the first minute, “Looks like a Charles.” (Page 475) The reality was that their son is Charles but it is different from the initial expectation because the initial expectation was that everyone pulled a Charles when they’re weird/odd. This is dramatic irony because they never knew they’re son was Charles so instead of pulling a Charles they were pulling a Laurie but they did not know