Sarcasm: A Literary Device

Etymology of Sarcasm

“Sarcasm” comes from the Greek word sarkasmos, which is derived from sarkázein, that means “to tear flesh.” The term reflects the sharp and cutting nature of sarcastic remarks.

Meanings of Sarcasm

Aspect	Meanings
Verbal Irony with Mocking Intent	Sarcasm is a form of mocking verbal irony.
Contradictory Expression for Ridicule	Sarcasm involves expressing the opposite to ridicule.
Tone of Voice	Delivered with a dry, mocking, or scornful tone.
Expression of Frustration, Anger, or Disbelief	Often used to express emotions like frustration, anger, or disbelief.
Humor and Satirical Device	Frequently used for witty or sarcastic remarks.
Passive-Aggressive Expression	Subtly or passively expresses anger or frustration.
Powerful Rhetorical Tool	A potent tool for emphasizing a point or perspective.
Potential for Hurtful or Offensive Communication	Has the potential to be hurtful or offensive if used inappropriately or directed at the wrong person.

Sarcasm in Grammar

• Definition of Sarcasm Grammatical Number: Grammatically, it is a singular noun, and its plural form is “sarcasms.” However, due to its being an abstract concept, it is not commonly used in the plural form.
• Verb Usage: The verb form used with sarcasm depends on the context. When sarcasm is used in a sentence, the verb agrees with the subject of the sentence, not with the word “sarcasm” itself.
• Example: For instance, if someone sarcastically says, “Oh great, another meeting,” expressing their frustration, the verb used would be “is” because the subject of the sentence is “another meeting.”

Definition of Grammar

It is a literary device used to convey mocking or contemptuous language. It involves the use of verbal irony in which a speaker says the opposite of what they mean with the aim to ridicule or criticize someone or something. Sarcasm is often employed for humorous or critical effects in literature. It could reveal the underlying attitudes or emotions of characters or authors.

Types of Sarcasm

There are several types that can be used in literature or everyday language. Here are some examples:

Type	Definition	Example
Verbal irony	This is the most common form of sarcasm, in which a speaker says something but means the opposite.	If it’s raining heavily outside and someone says “Great weather we’re having. It shows that someone is using verbal irony.
Situational irony	This occurs when the opposite of what is expected happens, often with humorous or ironic effect.	If a character spends all day baking a cake and then drops it on the floor, saying “Well, that was worth it.” It is an example of situational irony.
Hyperbole	This involves exaggerated statements that are not meant to be taken literally. Sarcasm can use hyperbole to emphasize the ridiculousness of a situation.	If someone says “Oh sure, let’s just burn down the whole house because we’re a little chilly,” they are using hyperbole to convey frustration.
Understatement	This is the opposite of hyperbole and involves downplaying or minimizing the importance of something for ironic effect.	If a character survives a plane crash and says “Well, that was mildly unpleasant,” they are using understatement to convey the gravity of the situation.
Reversal	This involves switching the order of words in a sentence to create a humorous or ironic effect.	If someone says “I always drink coffee before bed, it helps me sleep,” they are using reversal to create a humorous effect.

Literary Examples of Sarcasm

Example	Explanation	Type of Sarcasm
Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn	Huck Finn uses sarcasm to mock his father’s selfishness and cruelty by saying “I never see pap when he didn’t want the chicken himself, but that is what he used to say, anyway.” (Chapter-12)	Mocking
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice	Mr. Bennet employs sarcasm to criticize his wife’s frivolousness and lack of financial sense when he says “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” (Chapter-15)	Critical
George Orwell’s Animal Farm	The pigs employ sarcasm to manipulate the other animals into accepting their leadership by suggesting that they are only trying to help, when they change the farm’s commandments and say “No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?”	Manipulative
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest	Lady Bracknell uses sarcasm to mock the societal norms of the time by suggesting that smoking is a useless and frivolous activity when she says “I am glad to hear it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind.”	Satirical

Suggested Readings

1. Clare, Colebrook. Irony in the Work of Philosophy. University of Nebraska Press, 2007.
2. Gibbs, Raymond W., Jr. Irony in Talk among Friends. Routledge, 2018.
3. Hutcheon, Linda. Irony’s Edge: The Theory and Politics of Irony. Routledge, 2016.
4. Limon, John. Stand-Up Comedy in Theory, or, Abjection in America. Duke University Press, 2000.
5. Pawlak, Matthew C. “How to be sarcastic in Greek: Typical means of signalling sarcasm in the New Testament and Lucian.” Humor 32.4 (2019): 545-564.
6. Cheang, Henry S., and Marc D. Pell. “The Sound of Sarcasm.” Speech Communication 50.5 (2008): 366-381.
7. Dorfman, Lawrence, and Naccarato, James Michael. The Sarcasm Handbook. United States, Skyhorse, 2017.
8. Kreuz, Roger. Irony and Sarcasm. United Kingdom, MIT Press, 2020.
9. Napoli, James. The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm: A Lexicon for Those of Us who are Better and Smarter Than the Rest of You. United States, Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated, 2010.
10. Smith, Aaron. The Art of Sarcasm. N.p., CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016.