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"How Much Land Does a Man Need?" by Leo Tolstoy (text page 130)
Literary Analysis: Irony
A parable often contains irony, because the lesson of the story may be obvious to readers
but not to the main character-at least until it's too late. Irony refers to literary techniques
used by a writer to portray differences between appearance and reality, expectation and
result. or meaning and intention. In dramatic irony. there is a contradiction between what a
character thinks and what the reader knows to be true. In irony of situation. an event
occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters or the reader.
Often, an event in a story is ironic only in hindsight. Complete the folloWing chart
by telling why each example listed from Tolstoy's story is ironic. The first one has been
answered for you. When you are finished, answer the question that follows.
DIRECTIONS:
Story Event
1. Pahom says, "If I had plenty of land,
I shouldn't fear the Devil himself!"
Why It's Ironic
The devil is listening and Will tempt Patlom
by giving him land.
2. Pahom is angry when he gets fmed by the
woman's manager, because he is careful
With his animals.
3. Pahom's heart tllls With joy as he looks at
his land.
4. Pahom is ten times better off in the Volga
than he had been.
5. Pahom thinks he is tricking the Bashkir
chief by getting a great deal on the land.
6. Pahom dies of exhaustion after marking
off a huge area of land.
7. How does irony make the parable's moral more meaningful? EXplain.
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Literary Analysis Activity Book
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