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Imagery
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
Key Examples in All the Pretty Horses
Part 1
Explanation and Analysis—Imaginary San Angelo:
After Rawlins and John Grady have departed for Mexico in Part 1, the two discuss what their families may be up to back at home. John Grady uses verbal irony to reassert San Angelo's poverty and boringness:
Wonder what all they’re doin back home? Rawlins said.
John Grady leaned and spat. Well, he said, probably they’re havin the biggest time in the world. Probably struck oil. I’d say they’re in town about now pickin out their new cars and all.
Shit, said Rawlins.
Related Themes:
Part 2
Explanation and Analysis—Fancy Sort of Girl:
In Part 2, John Grady and Rawlins discuss Alejandra. Rawlins makes a few ironic assumptions about Alejandra and John Grady's possible relationship, exposing how differently he and John Grady think about love:
Unlock with LitCharts A+How old is she?
Seventeen.
Rawlins nodded.
What kind of a school is it she goes to?
I dont know. It’s some kind of a prep school or somethin.
Fancy sort of school.
Yeah. Fancy sort of school.
Rawlins smoked. Well, he said. She’s a fancy sort of girl.
No she aint […]
This one of course she probably dates guys got their own airplanes let alone cars.
You’re probably right […]
What’s her name? said Rawlins in the darkness.
Alejandra. Her name is Alejandra.
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Part 3
Explanation and Analysis—Making Truth:
When John Grady, Rawlins, and Blevins first encounter the Captain in Part 3, the Captain delivers an ultimatum that is an example of situational irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+You have the opportunity to tell the truth here. Here. In three days you will go to Saltillo and then you will no have this opportunity. It will be gone. Then the truth will be in other hands. You see. We can make the truth here. Or we can lose it. But when you leave here it will be too late. Too late for truth. Then you will be in the hands of other parties. Who can say what the truth will be then?
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Explanation and Analysis—Blevins's Death:
In Part 3, the Captain and his assistant murder Blevins. The novel highlights the ironic contrast between this disturbing killing and Blevinss' youthful demeanor to underscore the senseless brutality of this action:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Rawlins looked at John Grady. His mouth was tight. John Grady watched the small ragged figure vanish limping among the trees with his keepers. There seemed insufficient substance to him to be the object of men’s wrath. There seemed nothing about him sufficient to fuel any enterprise at all.
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Part 4
Explanation and Analysis—Ask Blevins:
John Grady tells the story of his journey to a group of children he meets on his way to meet Alejandra. They try to advise him on how to win over Alejandara and ironically suggest that he ask Blevins to tell the truth to her family, since they do not know he has died:
Unlock with LitCharts A+When he was done they sat in silence and finally the girl said that what he must do is bring the boy to the grandmother so that he would tell her that he was the one at fault and John Grady said that this was not possible because the boy was dead.
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