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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
Explanation and Analysis—Have You Accepted?:
Mr. Spragg and Undine discuss the party at the Fairfords in Chapter 2, cracking jokes back and forth. Undine, just before the passage below, has explained that Mrs. Fairford is related to the Dagonets, a wealthy family. Mr. Spragg snaps back:
"What do they want to know you for, I wonder?" he jeered.
"Can't imagine—unless they think I'll introduce you!" she jeered back in the same key, her arms around his stooping shoulders, her shining hair against his cheek.
"Well—and are you going to? Have you accepted?" he took up her joke as she held him pinioned; while Mrs. Spragg, behind them, stirred in her seat with a little moan.
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