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Definition of Verbal Irony
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging outside and someone remarks "what... read full definition
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging... read full definition
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean... read full definition
Key Examples in Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Chapter 30
Explanation and Analysis—Action & Inaction:
After Anna’s death, Pino feels an immense amount of guilt for failing to intervene and save his beloved, regardless of whether or not his intervention would have actually saved Anna's life. After nearly losing his mind following the shooting, Pino takes his guilt to church, where he makes an ironic confession to the priest:
The screen slid back, but all Pino could see in there was blackness. He did the only thing he could think of and knelt. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned,” Pino choked. “Yes?” “I did nothing,” Pino sobbed in lament. “I did nothing.” “What are you talking about?” the priest said.
Related Themes:
