What is the difference between coincidence and situational irony?
Both coincidence and situational irony can involve unexpected outcomes that evoke surprise. However, the terms differ in their emphasis:
- Irony: Emphasizes the contrast between expected outcomes and actual results, often revealing deeper meaning or creating a humorous effect; used deliberately in literature
- Coincidence: Highlights the randomness and lack of logical connection or deliberateness in events
The controversy surrounding Alanis Morissette’s song “Isn’t It Ironic?” centers on interpretations of whether the situations described in the song qualify as genuine irony or merely as instances of coincidence or bad luck.