The Compass of Irony

First published in 1969, The Compass of Irony is a detailed study of the nature, qualities, classifications, and significance of irony. Divided into two parts, the book offers first a general account of the formal qualities of irony and a classification of the more familiar kinds. It then explores newer forms of irony, its functions, topics, and cultural significance. A wide variety of examples are drawn from a range of different authors, such as Musil, Diderot, Schlegel, and Thomas Mann. The fi