Irony
The Color Purple
by Alice Walker

The Color Purple: Irony 1 key example

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

Key Examples in The Color Purple

Letter 46
Explanation and Analysis—Celie and Shug:

In Letter 46, Shug angrily denounces Albert's behavior towards Celie, stating that she would be a better spouse to her than Albert. This is an important instance of dramatic irony. Shug does not know that Celie has sexual/romantic feelings for her, a fact that readers have already been made privy to:

Anyhow, once you told me he beat you, and won’t work, I felt different about him. If you was my wife, she say, I’d cover you up with kisses stead of licks, and work hard for you too.