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Hyperbole
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
Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Lady Russell's Weaknesses:
Lady Russell is portrayed in a generally positive light throughout Persuasion. The narrator describes her as a close friend of the late Lady Elliot and surrogate mother to Anne. However, Lady Russell does have her shortcomings. In Chapter 2, Austen uses irony to critique Lady Russell’s bias towards those of high rank and status:
She had a value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the faults of those who possessed them. Herself the widow of only a knight, she gave the dignity of a baronet all its due. Sir Walter, independent of his claims as an old acquaintance, an attentive neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband of her very dear friend, the father of Anne and her sisters, was, as being Sir Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to a great deal of compassion and consideration under his present difficulties.
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Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—Sir Walter's Vanity:
Austen uses irony throughout the novel to present and subtly poke fun at Sir Walter Elliot's flaws. In Chapter 3, Mr. Shepherd tries to persuade Sir Walter to let Kellynch Hall to Admiral Croft, a navy officer. In response, Sir Walter tells Mr. Shepherd why he dislikes naval men:
Unlock with LitCharts A+First, as being the means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it cuts up a man's youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old sooner than any other man. I have observed it all my life [...] I know it is the same with them all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach Admiral Baldwin's age.
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Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Sir Walter's Vanity:
Austen uses irony throughout the novel to present and subtly poke fun at Sir Walter Elliot's flaws. In Chapter 3, Mr. Shepherd tries to persuade Sir Walter to let Kellynch Hall to Admiral Croft, a navy officer. In response, Sir Walter tells Mr. Shepherd why he dislikes naval men:
Unlock with LitCharts A+First, as being the means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it cuts up a man's youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old sooner than any other man. I have observed it all my life [...] I know it is the same with them all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach Admiral Baldwin's age.
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Chapter 16
Explanation and Analysis—Mr. Elliot's True Nature:
When Mrs. Smith reveals Mr. William Elliot's scheme to get close with the Elliots in order to claim the baronetcy in Chapter 21, an instance of situational irony occurs. This revelation is completely unexpected, as Anne and the Elliots think highly of him. In Chapter 16, the narrator praises Mr. Elliot, who, upon his return, seems like an ideal, suitable, and moral heir:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Everything united in him; good understanding, correct opinions, knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. He had strong feelings of family attachment and family honour, without pride or weakness; he lived with the liberality of a man of fortune, without display; he judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public opinion in any point of worldly decorum. He was steady, observant, moderate, candid; never run away with by spirits or by selfishness, which fancied itself strong feeling; and yet, with a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely [...].
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Chapter 21
Explanation and Analysis—Mr. Elliot's True Nature:
When Mrs. Smith reveals Mr. William Elliot's scheme to get close with the Elliots in order to claim the baronetcy in Chapter 21, an instance of situational irony occurs. This revelation is completely unexpected, as Anne and the Elliots think highly of him. In Chapter 16, the narrator praises Mr. Elliot, who, upon his return, seems like an ideal, suitable, and moral heir:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Everything united in him; good understanding, correct opinions, knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. He had strong feelings of family attachment and family honour, without pride or weakness; he lived with the liberality of a man of fortune, without display; he judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public opinion in any point of worldly decorum. He was steady, observant, moderate, candid; never run away with by spirits or by selfishness, which fancied itself strong feeling; and yet, with a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely [...].
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Chapter 24
Explanation and Analysis—The Rightful Heir:
Eight years before the events of the novel take place, Lady Russell advises Anne against marrying Captain Frederick Wentworth, who has neither fortune nor rank. In a moment of situational irony that is revealed in Chapter 24, though, he turns out to be the most suitable match and heir to the baronetcy after all:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Captain Wentworth, with five-and-twenty thousand pounds, and as high in his profession as merit and activity could place him, was no longer nobody. He was now esteemed quite worthy to address the daughter of a foolish, spendthrift baronet, who had not had principle or sense enough to maintain himself in the situation in which Providence had placed him, and who could give his daughter at present but a small part of the share of ten thousand pounds which must be hers hereafter.
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