---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The great thing about irony is that it…"
description: "\"The great thing about irony is that it splits things apart, gets up above them so we can see the flaws and hypocrisies and duplicates.\" — David Foster ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/david-foster-wallace-161_flaws_the-great-thing-about-irony-is-that-it-s_910646.jpg"
---

#  The great thing about irony is that it splits things…

![“The great thing about irony is that it splits things apart, gets up above them so we can see the flaws and hypocrisies and duplicates.” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/david-foster-wallace-161_flaws_the-great-thing-about-irony-is-that-it-s_910646.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/david-foster-wallace-161_flaws_the-great-thing-about-irony-is-that-it-s_910646.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/david-foster-wallace-161_flaws_the-great-thing-about-irony-is-that-it-s_910646.jpg)

> “The great thing about irony is that it splits things apart, gets up above them so we can see the flaws and hypocrisies and duplicates.”

[David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Irony separates us from reality, exposing flaws and hypocrisy.

**In simple terms:** Irony reveals hidden flaws and hypocrisy.

Key Takeaway

Use irony to critique assumptions.

Themes

irony critique perception

Mood

analytical wry

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- media criticism
- political discourse
- personal reflection
- artistic creation

Key Concepts

postmodernism philosophical analysis

Questions to Reflect On

- When does irony become cynicism?
- How to use irony constructively?

A Different Perspective

Irony can alienate audiences.

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[Flaws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flaws/) [Flaws Hypocrisies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flaws-hypocrisies-1331328/) [Great things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-things/) [Hypocrisies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisies-631856/) [Hypocrisies Duplicates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisies-duplicates-1331329/) [Hypocrisy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisy/) [Irony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irony/) [Irony Splits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irony-splits-1331327/) [Splits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/splits/) [Thing Irony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-irony-615117/)

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## More by David Foster Wallace

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