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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
Verbal Irony
Explanation and Analysis—Dreadfully Unsympathetic:
Mansfield uses verbal irony to highlight the Sheridan family’s emotional detachment and ignorance:
[Jose] looked mournfully and enigmatically at her mother and Laura as they came in.
This Life is Wee-ary
A Tear—a Sigh.
A Love that Chan-ges,
This Life is Wee-ary,
A Tear—a Sigh.
A Love that Chan-ges,
And then … Good-bye!
But at the word “Good-bye,” and although the piano sounded more desperate than ever, her face broke into a brilliant, dreadfully unsympathetic smile. “Aren’t I in good voice, mummy?” she beamed.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Simply Marvelous:
At the story’s powerful end, Laura’s brother Laurie tries to comfort her after he sees her crying on the road:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Laurie put his arm round her shoulder. “Don’t cry,” he said in his warm, loving voice. “Was it awful?”
“No,” sobbed Laura. “It was simply marvellous.”
Related Themes:
