Literary incongruities, also known as IRONIES, are a literary device used to create a contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. Irony can be used to create humor, surprise, or even suspense. It is often used to make a point or to emphasize a theme in a work of literature. Irony can be verbal, situational, or dramatic. Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but means another. Situational irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens. Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that the characters do not.