|
Have questions?
Contact us
Already a member? Sign in
|
Get every literary device explanation for On Earth We’re Briefly GorgeousPlus so much more...
Sign up for LitCharts A+Get instant access to every literary device explanation, plus so much more...
Situational Irony
Explanation and Analysis—Nail Polish:
In the following excerpt from Part 1, Vuong constructs an ironic commentary on Ma's relationship with her White clientele, noting the dichotomy between them:
“This is how you enjoy your life,” you’d say, sucking your fingers, their pink nail polish chipped from a week of giving pedicures. The time with your fists, shouting in the parking lot, the late sun etching your hair red. My arms shielding my head as your knuckles thudded around me.
Little Dog describes Rose's nail polish as "chipped from a week of giving pedicures." Given the fact that Rose works to perfect other women's nail polish, it is ironic that her own nail polish is imperfect. This small detail emblematizes a broader commentary on class, race, and diaspora within On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. Rose provides a luxury service to her White American patrons. She herself is unable to afford the same service, or simply lacks the time to maintain her own appearance to that standard.
The above example of situational irony also highlights the contradictions in Rose's character. The hands she uses to beautify others are capable of inflicting untold violence—an aggression lying dormant within her, the outward manifestation of her trauma. Little Dog recalls the imperfection of Rose's own nails despite her profession; he simultaneously recalls the abuse Rose's hands are capable of.
Monthly
Annual (Best Value)
$595USD/mo
Charged $71.40 USD every year
Teacher$795USD/mo
Charged $95.40 USD every year
Literature Guide PDFs
LitCharts PDFs for every book you'll read this year.
Instant PDF downloads of all 2248 LitCharts literature guides and of every new one we publish. Try a free sample literature guide.
"Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!"
Quotes Explanations
Find the perfect quote. Understand it perfectly. Then rock the citation, too.
For all 50,127 quotes we cover.
For all 50,127 quotes we cover.
Teacher Editions
Close reading made easy for students.
Time saved for teachers.
For every book we cover.
Time saved for teachers.
For every book we cover.
Common Core-aligned
PDFs of modern translations of every one of Shakespeare's 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 3 longer poems.
Literary Terms and Devices
Definitions and examples for every literary term and device you need to know.
Plus a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 terms in one place.
Plus a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 terms in one place.
Try a free sample literary term PDF.
Advanced Search
Refine any search. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more.
Related Themes
Comparing and contrasting texts? Find where any theme occurs across all of LitCharts in seconds.
Poetry Guides
Line-by-line explanations and analysis of figurative language and poetic devices.
For every lyric poem we cover.
For every lyric poem we cover.
