毕业设计（论文）-《傲慢与偏见》中达西的反讽艺术.docx

毕业论文（设计）论文题目：The Art of Irony of Darcy in Pride and Prejudice傲慢与偏见中达西的反讽艺术学生姓名：学号：所在院系：外语系专业名称：英语(教师教育)届次：2015届指导教师：淮南师范学院本科毕业论文（设计）诚信承诺书 1.本人郑重承诺：所呈交的毕业论文（设计），题目傲慢与偏见中达西的反讽艺术（The Art of Irony of Darcy in Pride and Prejudice）是本人在指导教师指导下独立完成的，没有弄虚作假，没有抄袭、剽窃别人的内容；2.毕业论文（设计）所使用的相关资料、数据、观点等均真实可靠，文中所有引用的他人观点、材料、数据、图表均已注释说明来源；3. 毕业论文（设计）中无抄袭、剽窃或不正当引用他人学术观点、思想和学术成果，伪造、篡改数据的情况；4.本人已被告知并清楚：学院对毕业论文（设计）中的抄袭、剽窃、弄虚作假等违反学术规范的行为将严肃处理，并可能导致毕业论文（设计）成绩不合格，无法正常毕业、取消学士学位资格或注销并追回已发放的毕业证书、学士学位证书等严重后果；5.若在省教育厅、学院组织的毕业论文（设计）检查、评比中，被发现有抄袭、剽窃、弄虚作假等违反学术规范的行为，本人愿意接受学院按有关规定给予的处理，并承担相应责任。学生（签名）：日期： 年 月 日CONTENTSASTRACT11. INTRODUCTION11.1 THE DEFINITIONS OF IRONY11.1.1The definitions of irony in different periods of history11.1.2Dictionary definitions of irony21.2 THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF IRONY31.2.1 Verbal irony31.2.2 Situational irony41.2.3 Dramatic irony41.3 BACKGROUND OF PRIDE AND PRUJIDICE51.3.1 The writingbackground of Pride and Prejudice51.3.2The main content of Pride and Prejudice51.3.3The usage of irony in Pride and Prejudice62. BODY THE ART OF IRONY OF DARCY IN PRIDE AND PREJUDICE62.1 THE VERBAL IRONY OF DARCY62.2 THE SITUATIONAL IRONY OF DARCY.82.3 THE DRAMATIC IRONY OF DARCY.103. CONCLUSION113.1 FINDINGS113.1.1The contribution of art of irony in Pride and Prejudice123.1.2 The literary function of using the writing techniques of irony123.2 LIMITATIONS13REFERENCES13CHINESE ABSTRACT15ACKNOWLEDGMENTS16淮南师范学院2015届本科毕业论文The Art of Irony of Darcy in Pride and Prejudice外国语学院 2011级（英语教育）1103010402 陈娇娇 指导老师：李 毓Abstract Irony is not only a figure of speech, but also a form of literature art. Jane Austens innovative usage of verbal irony, situational irony and dramatic irony helps the reader to fully comprehend the language, the situation and characters inner feeling, story plot and the theme of the novel. In this paper, most cases of verbal irony, situational irony and dramatic irony related to Darcy in the novel are picked up as typical examples. This paper mainly tries to analyze how irony is used as a writing technique in the novel to advance the plot development, shape and disclose characters, and reveal the theme of the novel.Key Words irony; verbal irony; situational irony; dramatic irony1. Introduction1.1 The Definitions of ironyIrony is difficult to be defined fully and accurately. Different people hold different ideas of irony. The following definitions of irony are from different periods of history and different dictionaries.1.1.1 The definitions of irony in different periods in historyIn the classical age，there exists three definitions of irony. The first is called “Pretend ignorance”(She Xiangjun,2004:31). In Aristophanes comedy, there is always such a role, this role speaks foolishly in front of his self-conceited opponents. But in the end it proves that those silly remarks are the truth, so that the opponents admit defeat. The second is the “Socratic irony”(Zhu Yanmin,2001:1) (The one betrays his intentions in the process of his consultation and request). The third is the Romanesque irony (literal meaning is different from real meaning or literal meaning is on the contrary to real meaning.) For example, people calls the king Oedipus as wise God, but we even do not know where he is, how he was born. In the first half of romantic period, German romanticism literature theory transforms the concept of irony, which extends rhetoric definitions to a kind of principle of literary creation. ShilaigeliEph, German literary theorist, declares that as a kind of creative principle, irony is “to recognize the fact that the essence of the world is like a paradox. Only with a kind of ambiguous attitude, can we seize integrity of the world contradictions”(Yang Jun,1994:64).In twentieth Century, the new criticism period, irony has been further developed. Brooks explains irony very elaborately. He definitions irony as “the context of a statement obviously distorting declarative language”(1994:54). For example, “The day with bright sunshine”, this sentence in a certain context can be contrary to its literal meaning and means a gloomy day or a bad mood. Context can reverse the meaning of a sentence, this is the irony.1.1.2 Dictionary definitions of ironyAccording to Oxford Advanced learners English-Chinese Dictionary, “irony means the use of words that say the opposite of what you really mean, often as a joke and with a tone of voice that shows this.”According to The Kings English, irony, in its broadest sense,“is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or event in which what appears, on the surface, to be the case, differs radically from what is actually the case.”According to The American Heritage Dictionarys secondary meaning for irony: “incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs. This sense, however, is not synonymous with incongruous but merely a definition of dramatic or situational irony. It is often included in definitions of irony not only that incongruity is present but also that theincongruity must reveal some aspect of human vanity or folly.”To sum up, the definitions of irony have different explanations from different periods and different experts. But writer has found that all those explanations mainly go to the forms and functions of irony. In those definitions, the basic definitions of irony can be summarized as “saying the opposite of what you really mean.”However, all those meanings have their defects. First, they all dont systematically summarize the general types of irony. Secondly, they dont find out the ways to identify irony effectively. The definitions of irony are still under development , but the types of irony deserve more attention than its definitions.1.2 The classifications of ironyThe types of irony are very complicated. Experts distinguish many types of irony: comic irony, tragic irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, tragic irony, verbal irony, stable irony, rhetorical irony, unsuitable irony, and so on.Irony refers to a contradiction between literal meaning and real meaning. In this paper, irony is divided into verbal irony, situational irony, dramatic irony.1.2.1 Verbal irony“Verbal irony referring to the meaning of public speakers open expressions is different from its actual implied meaning”(She Xiangjun,2004:33) Although this ironic statement always clearly shows an attitude or evaluation of the speaker, and implies a different attitude or evaluation. It depends on a common understanding of the speaker and his audience on the speakers satirical intention. “Spoken words are the most common form of irony”(Deng Li，2006:6). Spoken words as an important type of irony, are easy for readers to discover and understand. So, sentence using verbal irony inevitably exists literal meaning and hidden meaning. Language contrast between the literal meaning and real meaning is pretty strong and sharp. But this strong and sharp contradictions make the audience be able to read works through the surface meaning and hidden meaning, and understand deep meaning and sharp ideological implication rather than direct statement.Covering verbal irony doesnt really mean not to let the reader know it. On the contrary, it hopes to arouse the readers by using the methods of hidden desires to get active participation, and encourage them to capture and recognize verbal irony destroyed by implication. It lets readers get more fun and deep thinking. People who uses verbal irony and deliberate deviation accepts the traditional habits and has to reveal what is concealed by the rules of reality. For this purpose, the success of verbal irony can often arouse readers about their mindset of doubt or even negative mindset.1.2.2 Situational ironySituational irony is extended from the linguistic level to a separate plot. It often appears that “authors or readers can understand the future development trend, but the characters in the novel are unaware of it, and thus characters reactions are incompatible with the actual situation”(1994:65). In the end, things go contrary to their wishes. Comparing with the locality of verbal irony, situational irony is in pursuit of effects. The former is limited to words on the technique of expression or passage between the lines, while the latter focuses on the theme of the text style elements such as conceptions, the compiled plot, narrative structures and an inner tension of the articles. The concealment of the situational irony makes the rebellious text be endowed with more broad explanation space. Situational irony discloses the facts behind the surface, but do not express meaning directly which requires the readers to reveal the fact.In the observers view, ironic situation or event is a scene which comes from the external observation. Because the meaning refuses to get involved in the aesthetic horizon, observers from ironic context can get commanding satisfaction and pleasure. Situational irony is often full of pure comedy, tragedy or philosophy.1.2.3 Dramatic ironythe effect of dramatic irony comes from the conflict between characters misunderstanding of the truth and readers understanding of the truth. The characters are unconscious of this kind of dramatic irony, but it is very meaningful for the readers to understand this irony. “When an event occurs, the characters do not have tragic consciousness, but readers who know the truth feel very sad. Similarly, significance of dramatic irony discourse to readers is also far more than the importance to the narrators”(2001:25).The effect of irony is elaborated by readers. In a word, the dramatic irony is a method for author to express their views. Because the art of irony is carried out in two aspects, one is the surface meaning that the narrators or the characters can see, the other is the fact that readers can realize. The opposite tension between the surface meaning and the fact produces a strong ironic effect. The greater contrast between the surface meaning and fact is, the more vivid irony is.Through the narrators unique angle of narrative view, readers are familiar with the usual view of contrast. It is true that some narrative characters in the novel are from the strange expression. In the first part of the novel, The Sound and the Fury, Faulkner puts emphasis on an idiot called Bangui in order to show real life. Xun Lus Diary of a Madman is in the perspective of mental disorders. In this way, the special ignorance and substantial awareness constitute a kind of tension from the people around us and make others learn a lesson. 1.3 Background of Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice is one of the most successful masterpieces written by Jane Austen. She is the great master in inheriting and developing the art of irony. 1.3.1 The writing background of Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen (1775-1817) is a famous British realistic novelist. She was born in a small town where she lived in a quiet rural environment and comfortable life without big social burden. Her father was an educated minister and her elder brother also made some achievements in English literature. Austen lived in British village for many years. That is the reason why rural life is the main theme in her novels. Although This novel belongs to her early works, its one of the most famous works and the novel wins the best seller in the world. The first draft was written in October 1796 to August 1797 and named as The First Impression. After ten years later, the author changed the previous name into Pride and Prejudice. In January 1831, Pride and Prejudice finally came out.1.3.2 The main content of Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice mainly describes a few young men and womens love stories. The hero, Darcy and Elizabeths marriage is established on the basis of equality and mutual understanding. The combination of Jane and Bingley is on the basis of similar personality and love payment. The marriage of Collins and Charlotte is in the establishment of wealthy benefit. The combination of Wickham and Lydia is on the basis of erotic feeling and indulgence. By those several marriages, Austen conveys her point of view that happy marriage should be built on love and mutual respect.1.3.3 The usage of irony in Pride and PrejudiceThis novel not only has a profound content and vivid characters, but also has very distinctive features in the technique of expression. That is the impressive and innovative use of irony. The plentiful usage of irony of this works vividly reflects conservative and isolated life of the British town and the world conditions in the late 18th century to the early 19th century. Social graffiti style of this novel not only attracted overseas readers at that time, but still gives the reader a unique enjoyment nowadays. With her unique perspective, rich imagination, skill irony, Jane Austin depicts the distinctive character of Darcy and other characters to make the characters more plump, delicate. Making the reader be full of satisfaction so that works are more influential and cohesive. It is the rare treasure in literary works.2. The art of irony of Darcy in Pride and prejudiceIrony, which is also called antiphrasis, is a kind of writing skill carrying a ironic meaning. What the writer truly intends to express cannot solely analyze from its literal meaning. While in the technique of irony, the real meaning always turns against its literal meaning, which, in most cases, can be interpreted through the combination between the context and content of the works. To put it simple, it expresses the contrary meaning.2.1 The verbal irony of Darcy“Verbal irony is an example of implicature and demonstrates how people detect ironic meaning after the literal meaning is seen as a violation of quality”(Yang Jun,1994:17).It means that the writers real intention lies in its implicit utterances and can only be decoded through the context. The verbal irony refers to the language level. And in the works of Pride and Prejudice, the full display of such language style has exerted an implicit ironic effect to its characters and settings. In this paper, the irony interpretative speech act mainly includes the statement, description, and plot. The profound ironic language can be seen everywhere, and a few comedy characters portrait plays an important role. The author seems to always mock at authors funny characters. While language irony makes her characters images more vivid and interesting.“Ironic utterance means the opposite of its literal form and that verbal irony is a form of negation”(Grice,2006:1) What the writer truly intends to express cannot solely analyze from its literal meaning, the real meaning always turns against its literal meaning. Austen in her Pride and Prejudice takes pains to make a sarcastic remarks on Darcy. Darcy comes from an aristocratic family. He is handsome, polite and noble. However, he cannot escape from being arrogant and critical. Darcy meets Mr. Kennets daughters in the ball for the first time at Netherfield, when his friend, Bingley, persuades him to have a dance with Elizabeth. He says coldly “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men”(Austen,2003:15). According to Grice, Darcys ironic expression and his ironic utterance“is a form of negation”(2006:1). Darcy looks down upon Elizabeth can be recognized. He thinks the most beautiful woman has been selected by Bingley. So he isnt willing to dance with the woman who doesnt have any dance partners even though she is tolerable. In fact, Darcy thinks that he should be worthy of dancing with the most popular woman because of his social status or his noble family. That is the reason why he looks down upon Elizabeth.Scheer points out that the fundamental conditions of a verbal act is “the speaker in the different degree to express the truth of the proposition of commitment”(2003:5). In this premise, the speaker doesnt believe proposition truth until the author sends words that contain the implication of irony. In the first two chapters, Elizabeth, the heroine, forms deep prejudice against Darcy who seems to be indifferent to common people. Elizabeth often talks with overtones in conversation with Darcy. She is likely to satire or even attack Darcy. When they are dance in the ball as partner, it seems that Darcy isnt intend to speak with herself. Elizabeth feels so uncomfortable, so she says “It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the number of the couples”(Austen,2003:111)This sentence is the typical example of verbal irony. According to social etiquette at that time, dance partner should at least have some small talk. Elizabeth uses this kind of verbal irony to criticize Darcys inappropriate silence. What is Elizabeths implication is that she makes those boring and meaningless conversation to tease and punish Darcy. “Verbal irony is a device for making ones remarks challenging and forcefully. It is often employed to gain the effect of being satirical, scoffing, humorous or satirical”(2007:57). After going through some mental pains and sufferings, Darcy eventually decides to make an offer of marriage to Elizabeth the first time. He says he cant help but express his love for Elizabeth. In his expectation, he imagines that Elizabeth accepts his proposal without hesitation. However, because of Darcys self-pride and self-righteous, Elizabeth refuses him without hesitation. Elizabeth criticizes Darcy because she thinks Darcy destroys Janes love and makes Wickham become very poor. Darcy is also criticized for his self-arrogance, ru