Sarcasm for Characters... and What It Means

Sarcasm is an incredible literary tool for both narrators and characters to utilize -- both when it works for them or when it fails. The way characters use or react to sarcasm can convey or reinforce important aspects of their characters. In this post, I'll attempt to identify "what it means" when characters use or hear sarcasm and interpret it in different ways.

1. The character is a skilled master of sarcasm: in many literary works, there's often at least one of these deadpan snarkers who use sarcasm as a means to convey their cynical or even downright negative outlook on life. Since sarcasm is a form of wit, snarky characters are often intelligent -- relative to their peers, at least -- and use sarcasm, on some level, to demonstrate their superior intellect. Those who are masters at wielding these biting comments often word them bluntly enough so that they can be perceived as insults (and, oftentimes, they are), yet vaguely enough so that dimmer individuals may not sense anything "off" about what they just said.
2. The character sucks at sarcasm: characters who are poor at crafting sarcastic statements, obviously, have little experience in using them. The reason they attempt to wield sarcasm may vary, but I've found that it typically stems from low self-esteem and trying to be accepted in a group as a witty, intelligent member who is worth spending time with. Oftentimes, a poor sense of sarcasm is coupled with their comments unintentionally sounding like complements, which only lowers the character's self-esteem even more and drives them to keep on trying.
3. The character identifies sarcasm easily: the only real unifying traits of characters who easily pick up sarcasm in comments is that they are either intelligent, wise, or socially-savvy. I've seen everything from an easy-to-anger tough guy who pulverizes anyone he feels made a crack at him to a jovial and wise old man who just accepts the comments and lets them roll over his shoulders.
4. The character couldn't locate sarcasm with a glowing neon sign that says *SARCASM*: characters deaf to sarcasm are often portrayed as naive or even downright dumb. It shows a certain level of immaturity in a character, as they are inexperienced enough in social settings to (usually) accept most comments literally. These are the characters that most often perceive the intended insults in sarcastic statements as backhanded complements.

~ Dreamnorn