The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
by John Boyne

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: 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 14
Explanation and Analysis—Imaginary Friend:

On a rainy day, Gretel bullies Bruno into telling her about Shmuel; Bruno lies and says Shmuel is an “imaginary friend.” Here, the author uses idiom and verbal irony to show Gretel’s dismissive attitude toward her brother’s playmate:

'He sounds like a barrel of laughs,' said Gretel. 'I wish he was my imaginary friend.'