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Definition of Irony
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how... read full definition
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—The Worst Stink:
In the following example of hyperbole from Chapter 1, one of Neeley's friends declares a local river to be the "worst stink in the world":
"I bet that's the worst stink in the world," bragged another boy.
"Yeah."
And Francie whispered yeah in agreement. She was proud of that smell. It let her knew that nearby was a waterway, which, dirty though it was, joined a river that flowed out to the sea. To her, the stupendous stench suggested far-sailing ships and adventure and she was pleased with the smell.
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Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Professor Allegretto:
In Chapter 7, the narrator leverages their trademark verbal irony against yet another character in Francie's Brooklyn community: Professor Allegretto. The narrator refers to Allegretto's "slight peculiarity," which concerns only his young female piano pupils:
Unlock with LitCharts A+It so happened that Professor Allegretto had a very slight peculiarity concerning his girl pupils. He made them take off their shoes and stockings and stand in their bare feet on his green carpet while they sawed away. Instead of beating time or correcting their fingering, he spent the hour in a reverie staring at their feet.
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Explanation and Analysis—The Baby Was Born:
In the following example of verbal irony from Chapter 7, the narrator details Sissy's first labor and delivery:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The baby was born. It was a girl and a very easy birth. The midwife down the block was called in. Everything went fine. Sissy was in labor only twenty-five minutes. It was a wonderful delivery. The only thing wrong with the whole business was that the baby was born dead. Coincidently, the baby was born and died on Sissy's fifteenth birthday.
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—Labor Pains:
In the following example of situational irony from Chapter 9, Katie comforts Johnny after the birth of their first child:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Johnny hardly looked at the baby. Still clutching the avocados, he knelt by Katie's bed and sobbed out his fear and worry. Katie cried with him. During the night, she had wanted him with her. Now she wished she could have had that baby secretly and gone away somewhere and when it was over come back and tell him that everything was fine.
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Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis—Sissy's Failings:
In Chapter 11, the narrator digs more into Sissy's character, using verbal irony to describe her as a "great lover" and "great mother":
Unlock with LitCharts A+Sissy had two great failings. She was a great lover and a great mother. She had so much of tenderness in her, so much of wanting to give of herself to whoever needed what she had, whether it was her money, her time, the clothes off her back, her pity, her understanding, her friendship or her companionship and love. She was mother to everything that came her way. She loved men, yes. She loved women too, and old people and especially children.
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Chapter 19
Explanation and Analysis—The Cruelest Teachers:
In Chapter 19, the narrator discusses Francie's disillusionment with her school environment. Contrary to what a young, naive Francie expects, school is neither nurturing nor educational. In fact, Francie's teachers hound her for her poverty, with Miss Briggs in particular choosing to leave Francie disregarded and ignored at the back of the classroom. The narrator comments on Miss Briggs's behavior, pointing out its inherent situational irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The cruelest teachers were those who had come from homes similar to those of the poor children. It seemed that in their bitterness towards those unfortunate little ones, they were somehow exorcizing their own fearful background.
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Explanation and Analysis—Great Democracy:
In the following example of satire and verbal irony from Chapter 19, the narrator refers to America as the "great Democracy," likely mirroring the words Francie's teacher would use. The narrator implies that this "great Democracy" is in fact unequal, pairing the epithet with Francie's emergent class consciousness:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Francie, huddled with other children of her kind, learned more that first day than she realized. She learned of the class system of a great Democracy. She was puzzled and hurt by teacher's attitude. Obviously the teacher hated her and others like her for no other reason than that they were what they were.
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Chapter 24
Explanation and Analysis—Women's Vote:
In Chapter 24, a moment of dramatic irony arises when Katie and Johnny discuss political matters:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"If that day ever comes when women vote, you'll go along to the polls with me—arm in arm—and vote the way I do." He put his arm around her and gave her a quick hug. Katie smiled up at him. Francie couldn't help noticing that mama was smiling sidewise, the way the lady did in the picture in the school auditorium, the one they called Mona Lisa.
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Explanation and Analysis—Women and Politics:
In the following example of situational irony from Chapter 24, Johnny and Katie Nolan debate politics on the evening of a New York City election. Gender politics emerge prominently in this passage:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"Yes, but they give us each a time so that the voting is staggered ... you know, not everyone coming in a bunch."
"Why?" persisted Francie.
"'Cause," Johnny evaded.
"I'll tell you why," broke in mama. "They want to keep tabs on who's voting and how. They know when each man's due at the polls and God help him if he doesn't show up to vote for Mattie."
"Women don't know anything about politics," said Johnny lighting up Mattie's cigar.
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Chapter 56
Explanation and Analysis—Francie and Ben:
At the end of Chapter 56, Francie ponders both her future and her past, reflecting on the time she spent growing up in Brooklyn as she prepares to leave for college. Francie contemplates her relationship with Ben, producing a moment of situational irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+She liked Ben. She liked him an awful lot. She wished that she could love him. If only he wasn't so sure of himself all the time. If only he'd stumble—just once. If only he needed her. Ah, well. She had five years to think it over.
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