Nerd Alert!

I admit it...I am an English nerd. I love to read books with symbolism that is so deep that it gives you a migraine to figure it out. I take pride in having a large vocabulary and knowing how to use it. I am bothered by errors in spelling and mechanics on television and in print media quite often. Shakespeare does not frighten me. I am an English nerd.

Having said that, this song has always been a bit of a thorn in my side. I like it, but it isn't altogether correct. There is so much more to my favorite literary device than:



I had my junior English kids tear this song apart yesterday...and a fight ensued! That usually wouldn't be a good thing, but these kids are pretty quiet when it comes to English class and turn-of-the-century American literature (Kate Chopin, in this case). The fight stemmed from the individual interpretations of the song and the scenarios in it. It was eventually decided that all of Alanis' scenarios could be ironic, given more specific details as to the surrounding events. Some were outright ironic, while others were just instances of very bad luck.

Now, I fully admit that I did not re-invent the wheel with this activity. I am sure that English teachers the world over have had issues with this song over the past decade. But it worked. It got my kids to really debate and care about something literary. Needless to say, it was a rewarding way to cap off my two week pre-student teaching unit with the kids.

Oh, and I'm curious: irony or bad luck...what do you think?