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Definition of Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the... read full definition
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a character's understanding of a given... read full definition
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a... read full definition
Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—A Game:
Holden and Mr. Spencer have an exchange filled with dramatic irony and metaphor as Spencer advises Holden on the ways of the world. As Holden tells Spencer that he has to leave Pencey, they have the following back-and-forth:
"Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules."
"Yes, sir. I know it is. I know it."
Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right—I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game.
The metaphor of life as a “game” that Spencer is trying to impress on Holden here suggests that life can be played to win or lose. Spencer is implying that Holden should only plan to win if he can appear to stick to its “rules,” but Holden internally disagrees. Holden thinks that life is only a game if one is on the winning side, “where all the hot-shots are.” He dislikes the “game” as an idea because it implies that success depends on playing by arbitrary regulations. These are in direct conflict with his emerging values of truth and authenticity. He feels life can’t be considered a game “if you get on the other side,” or aren’t equipped to follow the rules like the “hot-shots” can.
The dramatic irony here lies in Holden's failure to recognize his own privilege. He dismisses Spencer’s advice as out of touch because he thinks his teacher doesn’t understand that there’s “no game” for him. He’s missing an important fact, though, and Spencer sees something that Holden apparently cannot: Holden is failing to recognize his privilege, as he doesn’t understand that he himself is on the “right side” of the game. He’s a wealthy white male American child who has attended a prep school, and so he’s blessed with far more privilege than many others. The reader, however, can see that Holden's complaint that the “game of life” is unfair is hardly coming from a reliable source.
Related Themes:
