Satire, as one of the fundamental and vital genres in literature, plays a crucial role in representing social realities and critiquing power structures. Among the various tools of satire, “Irony” stands out as one of the most complex and influential techniques, imparting deep, multi-layered meanings to a text by creating a discrepancy between appearance and reality. This research aims to conduct a precise and structural analysis of ironic techniques in post-war literature, focusing specifically on the works of Akbar Sahraei. Given Sahraei’s prominent position as one of the leading satirists in contemporary literature, this study examines how he utilizes irony as a tool to critique the prevailing status quo.
The methodology of this research is based on a descriptive-analytical approach. Data collection was conducted through library research, the examination of historical documents, and searching reliable digital resources. The primary research tool involved content analysis of the author’s works and comparing them with relevant literary theories. The findings indicate that in utilizing verbal irony, Akbar Sahraei most extensively employs the technique of “displacement and comparison between two opposing matters” to expose the gap between reality and pretension. Furthermore, the study reveals that he skillfully utilizes a repertoire of techniques, such as “inversion of objects,” “diminution and degradation,” “feigned ignorance and affectation,” “fatuity,” “exaggeration,” “oxymoron/juxtaposition of opposites,” “animal imagery,” and “mockery and derision” to construct his verbal structures, ultimately prompting the reader to reflect on social and human concepts.