Abstract
Examines the ironic nature of Hayden White's (b. 1928) 'Metahistory' (1973) and critiques the ironic approach to historical analysis, noting the dualism of irony as both limiting and liberating. Analysis of White's notion of ironic experimentation reveals it to be not entirely coherent and difficult to appropriate, therefore resulting in infelicitous appropriations. It is important to note that White himself proposed that irony would produce its own rejection; however, irony has become a "positive element in the habits of the political action of the inquirer.