Fences

by August Wilson

Fences: Verbal Irony 1 key example

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
Act 1: Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Fatherly Duty:

In Act 1: Scene 1, Lyons rebuts Troy's insults with an impassioned speech about how music helps him feel as though he belongs in the world. Troy responds with verbal irony (itself an example of situational irony) that gives the reader a glimpse into the layers upon layers of trauma and misunderstanding that inform this father-son relationship:

Boy, your mama did a hell of a job raising you.