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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
Book 6, Chapter 56
Explanation and Analysis—Exciting Topics:
In an example of verbal irony, the narrator sarcastically explains how little Middlemarch residents support railway development:
In the hundred to which Middlemarch belonged railways were as exciting a topic as the Reform Bill or the imminent horrors of Cholera, and those who held the most decided views on the subject were women and landholders.
Related Themes:
Book 7, Chapter 71
Explanation and Analysis—Hungry Gossip:
When describing the town’s reaction to the news that Raffles died on Bulstrode’s watch (and that Bulstrode had paid Dr. Lydgate a thousand pounds right around that time), the narrator uses hyperbole and verbal irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The business was felt to be so public and important that it required dinners to feed it, and many invitations were just then issued and accepted on the strength of this scandal concerning Bulstrode and Lydgate; wives, widows, and single ladies took their work and went out to tea oftener than usual; and all public conviviality, from the Green Dragon to Dollop's, gathered a zest which could not be won from the question whether the Lords would throw out the Reform Bill.
Related Themes:
Book 8, Chapter 84
Explanation and Analysis—Baby Buddha:
In an example of verbal irony, the narrator describes Celia’s baby Arthur as “the infantine Bouddha”:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Mrs. Cadwallader, the Dowager Lady Chettam, and Celia were sometimes seated on garden-chairs, sometimes walking to meet little Arthur, who was being drawn in his chariot, and, as became the infantine Bouddha, was sheltered by his sacred umbrella with handsome silken fringe.
Related Themes:
