The Blithedale Romance
by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Blithedale Romance: 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
Chapter 2: Blithedale
Explanation and Analysis—"Blithedale":

The name Blithedale evokes a happy community, but there is very little "blitheness" in Hawthorne's fictional world.  Coverdale encapsulates this irony in his commentary in Chapter 2, which combines dialogue and narration:

“How pleasant it is!” remarked I, while the snow-flakes flew into my mouth, the moment it was opened. “How very mild and balmy is this country-air!”