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Unreliable Narrator
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
Letters 1–10
Explanation and Analysis—Lady S. and Mrs. Vernon:
In the following passage from the fourth letter, Lady Susan discusses her sister-in-law, Catherine Vernon, with Mrs. Johnson. Lady Susan's status as an unreliable narrator and manipulator feed into and contribute to verbal irony, generating a passage that perhaps serves to obscure a more accurate view of events:
I wanted her to be delighted at seeing me—I was as amiable as possible on the occasion—but all in vain—she does not like me. To be sure, when we consider that I did take some pains to prevent my Brother-in-law’s marrying her, this want of cordiality is not very surprising—and yet it shews an illiberal and vindictive spirit to resent a project which influenced me six years ago, and which never succeeded at last.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Lady Susan and Frederica:
In Letter 7, written from Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson, Lady Susan claims that she is “sure” of Sir James’s affection for Frederica, and could, at any time, “make him renew his application by a Line." Only a few sentences later, however—in a stark example of verbal irony—she states:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Some Mothers would have insisted on their daughter’s accepting so great an offer on the first overture, but I could not answer it to myself to force Frederica into a marriage from which her heart revolted.
Related Themes:
Letters 11–20
Explanation and Analysis—Lady Susan's Sarcasm:
Remarking on her daughter's attempted escape, in which she only managed to travel the length of two streets before being apprehended, Lady Susan states the following to Mrs. Johnson in Letter 19:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Such was the first distinguished exploit of Miss Frederica Susanna Vernon, and if we consider that it was atchieved at the tender age of sixteen we shall have room for the most flattering prognostics of her future renown.
Related Themes:
