Jasper Jones
by Craig Silvey
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Jasper Jones: 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

Key Examples in Jasper Jones

Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Personal Responsibility:

In Chapter 5, Jasper argues that Laura's death is his fault because she never would have died had he been with her instead of working in the orchards. Charlie, who has been trying to practice logical thinking, uses verbal irony to point out a fallacy in Jasper's argument:

“You’re not listening, Charlie. If I’d have bin with her, like I should’ve bin, this would never have happened.”

“Well, okay. But we don’t know that either. And that’s no way to look at things. That doesn’t make it your fault. The fact is, you weren’t to know. How could you? By that logic, every horrible world event would be your fault because you didn’t stop it. I don’t know. You should have warned Kennedy not to ride in a convertible.”